The only issue I saw is the toner color match on laser models could be a bit better. Still highly recommended for anything except photos.
"Innovating"
The high-speed inkjet-bar systems and Dye-sublimation printing kind of specialized in photographic printing.
Patents do expire eventually. I think most people mistake 23 year old ideas as "innovative" when they enter the high-volume consumer markets. Derivative and opportunistic is a different business model.