Acer and ASUS end German sales freeze via Nokia patent settlement

The settlement reinforces Nokia’s aggressive enforcement of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) across the streaming hardware stack. By forcing major PC manufacturers out of Europe's largest economy, Nokia has demonstrated that HEVC licensing is a non-negotiable prerequisite for hardware distribution. This outcome signals to other implementers that German courts remain a favorable venue for patent holders seeking immediate injunctive relief. For the broader ecosystem, the agreement ensures that H.265 remains the baseline for high-resolution playback despite the growing presence of royalty-free alternatives. Watch for whether Nokia seeks similar injunctions against other hardware vendors or specialized streaming peripheral makers currently operating without direct licenses.

The resolution of this conflict follows a broader pattern of Nokia securing licensing revenue from tech giants. Per JUVE Patent (March 2025), Amazon reached a global settlement with Nokia regarding its Fire TV devices and Prime Video service just months before its own German sales injunction was set to escalate. Similarly, Chinese TV manufacturer Hisense entered into an amicable worldwide licensing agreement with Nokia in January 2026, according to company statements at the time. These settlements have become a critical revenue stream for Nokia Technologies, which reported reaching 7,000 patent families essential to 5G as part of its wider intellectual property strategy in January 2025 (per IP Fray).

The legal pressure on Acer and ASUS intensified following a January 2026 ruling by the Munich Regional Court, which found both companies were not 'willing licensees' under Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) guidelines. Following this determination, judges granted Nokia the right to enjoin sales, a remedy typically reserved for cases where implementers refuse to negotiate in good faith. According to VideoCardz (June 2022), the disruption at ASUS included the total suspension of its official German online store for several months, highlighting the severe commercial impact of SEP-related injunctions in Europe.

While the financial terms of the ASUS and Acer agreements remain confidential, the shift toward arbitration reflects a desire to avoid the unpredictability of further trials in the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the United States International Trade Commission. This trend toward vertical-specific licensing—expanding from smartphones to consumer electronics and automotive sectors—was detailed during Nokia's 2025 Capital Markets Day, where leadership emphasized securing predictable recurring revenue through 2030 (per IP Fray, November 2025).