Help!

I am being held hostage by my Epson 764D Envy printer. 

&%$*!@

I was trying to print something and my printer told me it would not print unless I registered the cartridge on their website. Seriously! 

This is an old printer and I have had so many problems getting ink. When we purchased it they made us sign up for a ink program that the printer would notify the website when I was running low. I don't remember ever getting any ink, but I did have to go buy some. Well, I have not really been using the printer. 

I did go online and re-register and magically it let me print. I also reordered an ink cartridge. How is this mess all possible?