Refilled Printer Cartridge Trouble

For the past couple of years I have been successfully using 'refilled' ink cartridges in my Kodak ESP 5250 printer. Now, all of a sudden, the printer will not recognize or accept refilled cartridges. I get an error message on my PC screen as well as on the liitle screen on the printer. Has Kodak invaded my PC via the internet and is saying "A-Haw, we caught you, you're trying to use a non-Kodak manufactured ink cartridge and we're not going to permit it"?

I would't be surprised. I have had a similar experience with a Kodak digital camera. When I connected the camera to my computer every .jpg file extension in my computer was was changed to .???.

Does Kodak and HP etc. have the power to get into my PC and work their will?

Or is this one of my 'conspiracy theories'?

Thanks,
notnoid