Key Takeaways
1. Asus has suspended its operations in Germany, including its official website and online store, due to a court injunction related to a patent dispute with Nokia.
2. Acer has also halted direct sales of affected laptops and PCs in Germany, while Hisense has secured a licensing agreement.
3. The court ruling affects specific products using HEVC technology, which are currently unavailable for direct purchase from Asus.
4. After-sales support, including warranty services, will continue for affected products in Germany.
5. Asus is exploring additional legal options to resolve the situation, but the duration of the sales suspension remains uncertain.
After a court decision in Munich, Asus has released a statement detailing how it will affect its operations in Germany. The Munich I Regional Court issued a temporary injunction concerning a patent disagreement with Nokia. This ruling also impacted Acer and Hisense, with Hisense already having secured a licensing agreement.
Acer’s Response
In contrast, Acer has recently declared that it has halted the direct sales of the impacted laptops and PCs in Germany, and Asus has now taken similar actions. Asus mentioned that this injunction has caused the suspension of their official website and online store in Germany.
Products Affected
The company has clarified that the ruling, referenced under case no. 7 O 4102/25, pertains to specific products. These products incorporate HEVC technology and will not be available for purchase directly from Asus at this time. However, third-party sellers can still offer their existing stock, but it is unlikely that new inventory will arrive soon (like the Vivobook 18 M1807HA, currently priced at €899 on Amazon.de).
After-Sales Services
Asus further assures that after-sales support will continue to function in Germany. This includes warranty services for the products affected by the ruling.
Regarding prior reports, the Munich court determined that neither Asus nor Acer fulfilled the requirements of a willing FRAND licensee. This framework outlines fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory licensing agreements, prompting the court to grant injunctive relief.
Future Legal Actions
Returning to Asus’ statement, the company has indicated that it is exploring additional legal avenues to resolve the situation. However, it hasn’t provided specific information on how long the sales suspension will remain in effect, as this will likely hinge on the results of licensing discussions.
Asus via: TechPowerUp
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