Nokia Patent Dispute Halts Acer and Asus PC Sales in Germany

Munich, Germany – A ruling by the Munich I Regional Court has temporarily halted direct sales of PCs and laptops from Acer and Asus in Germany, stemming from a patent dispute with Nokia over the HEVC (H.265) video codec. The judgment, initially handed down on January 22, 2026, impacts the manufacturers’ ability to sell directly to consumers within Europe’s largest economy.

The Core of the Dispute: HEVC Patents

The legal battle centers around Nokia’s standard-essential patents related to HEVC technology, a video compression standard crucial for efficient video encoding and decoding. Acer and Asus utilize GPUs, processors, and other digital engines that require licensing for the use of these technologies. The court determined that neither company demonstrated willingness to adhere to Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) licensing terms, leading to the injunction.

Impact on Sales and Distribution

The injunction specifically targets direct sales from Acer and Asus’s online stores and distribution channels. However, the ruling does not prevent third-party retailers from selling existing stock. This means consumers can still purchase affected products through retailers, but replenishment of those inventories may be disrupted as direct shipments from the manufacturers are paused. NotebookCheck reports that Asus’s German online store was temporarily taken offline “for service enhancements” following the ruling.

Acer and Asus Respond

Acer has confirmed the temporary suspension of direct sales of affected products in Germany and stated it is reviewing legal options to reach a resolution. TechPowerUp highlights that Acer is examining the possibility of further legal action. Asus has yet to issue an official statement.

Nokia’s Position and Prior Disputes

Nokia maintains that it seeks fair compensation for the use of its technology and remains open to negotiations with both companies. The company has invested over €150 billion in research and development since 2000, contributing significantly to video coding technologies. VideoCardz notes this isn’t the first time Nokia has successfully enforced its patents, with previous cases involving Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks in 2024 and OnePlus in 2023.

Broader Implications

While the current injunction is limited to Germany, it underscores the importance of patent licensing compliance for technology manufacturers. Hisense, notably, has already secured a license from Nokia, avoiding similar disruption. The case highlights the potential for significant market impact resulting from patent disputes and the complexities of navigating FRAND licensing frameworks.

Key Takeaways

• Acer and Asus have suspended direct PC sales in Germany due to a patent dispute with Nokia.
• The dispute revolves around patents related to the HEVC/H.265 video codec.
• The ruling does not affect sales through third-party retailers.
• Nokia is seeking fair compensation for its patented technology.
• This case highlights the importance of FRAND licensing compliance.