Vivo faces sales ban in Germany

After Oppo, the next brand of the BBK group might have to withdraw from Germany. We are talking about vivo, which only recently launched the camera flagship X90 Pro.

Vivo sales ban in Germany as good as certain?

The sales ban on smartphones from the BBK Group, specifically models from Oppo and OnePlus, which was enforced by Nokia, has so far left vivo unaffected. However, that could now change soon, even vivo Germany expects a sales ban in Germany soon.

In an official statement dated April 11, 2023, one goes to the judgment of the Mannheim Regional Court and communicates that one has made certain preparations if it comes to a Vivo sales ban in Germany:

“We have noted the decision of the Mannheim Regional Court with disappointment and have made preparations to suspend the sale and marketing of the products in question through vivo Germany’s official channels if necessary,” the statement states.

Vivo considers appeal

It said it is also preparing an appeal against the ruling and will consider other options. In the meantime, it said it intends to continue negotiations with Nokia to bring the matter to a conclusion in accordance with “FRAND” terms.

FRAND stands for fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory, and is the cornerstone of the ban on BBK-branded smartphone sales in Germany after failing to reach an agreement with Nokia to license the necessary patents.

The BBK Group accuses Nokia of not licensing these very patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. Nokia, of course, sees things differently and was proven right before the Mannheim Regional Court, which believes that Nokia acted fairly.

However it may come: vivo continues to plan long-term for the German brands and “will continue to be present in Germany, and our customers can continue to rely on our service,” the company writes in conclusion.