ASUS and Acer banned from selling PCs in Germany after Nokia patent ruling

ASUS and Acer have been temporarily banned from selling laptops and desktop PCs in Germany following a court ruling in a patent dispute with Nokia over the H.265/HEVC video compression standard, according to PC Guide. The Munich I Regional Court granted Nokia an injunction prohibiting both manufacturers from offering, selling, importing, or storing affected PCs and notebooks in the country.

Why the ban happened

Nokia successfully argued that both ASUS and Acer infringed on its standard-essential patents related to HEVC and failed to act as 'willing licensees' under FRAND terms (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory licensing). The H.265/HEVC video compression standard is deeply embedded in modern computers, used by integrated GPUs, operating systems, streaming applications, video conferencing tools, and media playback software.

Simply removing or disabling HEVC would severely impact the user experience, making it essentially unavoidable in today's hardware ecosystem. Nokia's victory in court opens the door for enforcing this sales ban against the two major PC manufacturers.

What this means for German consumers

The ban applies only to the manufacturers themselves, not retailers. Stores like Amazon, MediaMarkt, and Saturn can continue selling their existing stock of ASUS and Acer products. However, the manufacturers cannot ship new units into Germany, which means retailer inventories won't be replenished once current stock sells out.

Acer has already confirmed suspending direct sales of laptops and desktops in Germany through its official store, leaving only monitors and accessories available. ASUS hasn't released a formal statement, but German online stores for both brands are currently unavailable, citing maintenance or service updates.

The ASUS desktop lineup and Acer gaming laptops continue to be available in other markets, including the UAE, where both brands maintain strong retail presence.

What happens next

In the short term, most German consumers won't notice significant changes as existing inventory remains available through retailers. However, shortages are likely in the coming months if the legal situation isn't resolved. Germany represents one of Europe's largest PC markets, making this ban particularly impactful for both manufacturers' European operations.

The temporary nature of the injunction suggests this could be resolved through licensing negotiations between the parties. Both ASUS and Acer will likely need to reach agreements with Nokia on HEVC patent licensing to resume sales in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are ASUS and Acer banned from selling PCs in Germany?

ASUS and Acer are temporarily banned from selling laptops and desktop PCs in Germany due to a court ruling in a patent dispute with Nokia over the H.265/HEVC video compression standard. The Munich I Regional Court found both companies infringed Nokia's patents.

Can I still buy ASUS or Acer products in Germany?

Yes, retailers like Amazon, MediaMarkt, and Saturn can continue selling their existing stock of ASUS and Acer products. However, the manufacturers cannot ship new units into Germany, which will eventually lead to shortages if the situation isn't resolved.

What is H.265/HEVC and why does it matter?

H.265/HEVC is a video compression standard used in modern computers for streaming, video conferencing, and media playback. Nokia holds patents on this technology and argues ASUS and Acer used it without proper licensing agreements.

How long will the ban last?

The ban is temporary and could be resolved if ASUS and Acer reach licensing agreements with Nokia for the H.265/HEVC patents. No specific end date has been announced by the court.

Are other countries affected by this ban?

No, the ban only applies to Germany. ASUS and Acer continue selling their products in other markets, including the UAE and rest of Europe, without restrictions.

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