Flour Power

This is a very stupid interesting move by Panasonic. The new firmware for some models of Panasonic digital cameras will prevent the use of third party batteries. Only the genuine Panasonic batteries will work. Here's the press release:

Panasonic Digital Still Cameras now include a technology that can identify a genuine Panasonic battery. For the protection of our customers Panasonic developed this technology after it was discovered that some aftermarket 3rd party batteries do not meet the rigid safety standards Panasonic uses.

Some of these aftermarket batteries are not equipped with internal protective devices to guard against overcharging, internal heating and short circuit. If these aftermarket battery packs were used, it could lead to an accident causing damage to your camera or personal injury.

Panasonic’s Digital Camera firmware has been updated on this website to detect these aftermarket 3rd party batteries so such serious safety issues can be avoided.

[ Warning ]
After this firmware update your Panasonic Digital Camera cannot be operated by 3rd party batteries (non genuine Panasonic batteries).

Let all the Panasonic camera owners start the uproar.

And here I was thinking of buying one of the Lumix TZ5... Seems like the search will have to start all over again...