Image formation device, control method for image formation device, and cartridge

A control method of controlling an image forming apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of:

• acquiring contract information from a memory of a cartridge having a material or a component to be used for image formation in the image forming apparatus and the memory that stores contract information for permitting use of the cartridge in the image forming apparatus set to a contract mode, in a state where the cartridge is mounted to a main body housing of the image forming apparatus;
• permitting printing in the image forming apparatus using the cartridge, based on the contract information acquired from the memory;
• and
• transmitting information about the image forming apparatus or the cartridge regarding the contract mode to a communication apparatus, which is set as a transmission destination in advance, via a communication unit that is different from a network interface for which the image forming apparatus connects to a network, the communication unit performing communication with using a mobile network, the communication unit being separate from the network interface.

A cartridge comprising:

• a material or a component to be used for image formation in an image forming apparatus;
• a memory that stores contract information for permitting use of the cartridge in the image forming apparatus set to a contract mode;
• and
• a communication unit configured to perform communication with using a mobile network,
• wherein printing in the image forming apparatus using the cartridge is permissible to be performed, based on the contract information stored in the memory, and
• the communication unit is configured to transmit information about the image forming apparatus or the cartridge regarding the contract mode to a communication apparatus which is set as a transmission destination in advance.