A new patent dispute with Nokia is causing a drastic cut in the German PC market. The Taiwanese manufacturers Acer and Asus are no longer allowed to sell PCs and notebooks in Germany for the time being following a ruling by the Munich I Regional Court. The background to this is a conflict over video patents relating to the HEVC standard. The following overview shows what the ruling means in concrete terms, which products are affected and what happens next.
- Sales ban for Acer and Asus PCs in Germany following court ruling
- The Nokia patent EP2661892 on the H.265/HEVC video standard is the point of contention
- Websites of both manufacturers currently in maintenance mode
- Remaining stock still available from dealers
Patent dispute with Nokia: Sales stop for Acer and Asus PCs in Germany
At the center of the current case is the patent dispute with Nokia over the European patent EP2661892. This patent concerns technologies relating to the H.265 video codec, better known as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). The standard is deeply embedded in the system of modern PCs and notebooks and is used for efficient video compression in streaming, video conferencing and media playback, among other things.
The Regional Court of Munich I came to the conclusion that Acer and Asus are infringing the Nokia patent in question. Both companies are said to have been unwilling to accept the required license conditions. As a result, the court issued injunctions: Affected devices may not be offered, marketed, imported or advertised in Germany. Violations could result in severe fines and, in extreme cases, even imprisonment of the persons responsible.
For Nokia, this approach is part of a familiar strategy. Following the sale of its mobile division, the Group is increasingly focusing on monetizing its extensive patent portfolio. In the past, sales bans have already been imposed on other manufacturers when license requirements were not met. The current case is one in a series of similar disputes and is considered plausible, as HEVC patents have been the subject of international licensing disputes for years.
Impact on the market, retailers and consumers
The ruling of January 22, 2026 is now having concrete consequences. The German websites of Acer and Asus are in maintenance mode and it is currently not possible to purchase PCs or notebooks directly from the manufacturers. Once the maintenance work is complete, Acer will probably only offer monitors and accessories. Asus is also likely to temporarily adjust its product range in Germany.
There is a special situation for retailers: retailers such as Amazon or MediaMarkt are not directly affected by the ruling and may continue to sell existing stocks. Acer and Asus devices will therefore still be available in the short term. However, as no new devices may be delivered to Germany, it is foreseeable that stocks will run out over time.
Both manufacturers are apparently planning legal action. Asus wants to continue the patent dispute, while Acer is also considering a counterclaim. The aim is likely to be to negotiate better licensing conditions or to challenge the ruling in the next instance. However, the German market for new Acer and Asus PCs remains effectively blocked until a legally binding decision or an agreement is reached.
This is a noticeable setback for the IT and gaming sector. Acer and Asus are among the established suppliers of gaming notebooks, business devices and consumer PCs. A prolonged sales freeze could shift market shares and strengthen competitor brands, while buyers will have to switch to alternatives.
Conclusion
The patent dispute with Nokia has led to a temporary ban on the sale of Acer and Asus PCs in Germany and is causing uncertainty in the market. Until an agreement is reached or the ruling is overturned, new devices from the two manufacturers will not be officially available in Germany. Remaining stocks are currently still available in stores, but are likely to become scarce over time. Depending on demand, prices could remain stable or increase in the short term.
Source: Hardwareluxx
