diff --git a/backend/hpoj.desc b/backend/hpoj.desc
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/backend/hpoj.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+;
+; SANE Backend specification file
+;
+; It's basically emacs-lisp --- so ";" indicates comment to end of line.
+; All syntactic elements are keyword tokens, followed by a string or
+;  keyword argument, as specified.
+;
+; ":backend" *must* be specified.
+; All other information is optional (but what good is the file without it?).
+;
+
+:backend "hpoj"                   ; name of backend
+:version "(external)"             ; version of backend
+:status :beta                     ; :alpha, :beta, :stable, :new
+:url "http://hpoj.sourceforge.net/" ; backend's web page
+
+:devicetype :scanner              ; start of a list of devices....
+                                  ; other types:  :stillcam, :vidcam,
+                                  ;               :meta, :api
+
+:mfg "HP"                         ; name a manufacturer
+:url "http://www.hp.com/go/all-in-one"
+
+; name models for above-specified mfg.
+:model "Most HP OfficeJet, LaserJet, and PSC (Printer/Scanner/Copier) multi-function peripherals"
+:url "http://hpoj.sourceforge.net/suplist.shtml"
+:interface "Parport(ECP) USB JetDirect"
+:comment "Distributed with the HP OfficeJet Linux driver (hpoj)"
+
+; :comment and :url specifiers are optional after :mfg, :model, :desc,
+;  and at the top-level.