In a recent development, two major PC brands—ASUS and Acer—have been effectively banned from selling new computers in Germany. The ban stems from their alleged infringement of patents related to the HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) codec, a widely used technology for video compression.
The controversy centers around Nokia, which owns several patents for video codecs, including HEVC. Since HEVC is integral to most modern PCs for video playback and recording, manufacturers are required to obtain licensing rights to include it in their devices. In Germany’s stricter licensing environment, both ASUS and Acer were found to have violated Nokia’s patents, according to reports from German tech outlet Hardwareluxx.
As a result, the companies are prohibited from importing or selling new PCs and laptops until they secure the necessary licenses from Nokia. However, existing stock remains available through third-party retailers, meaning consumers can still purchase ASUS and Acer devices already in stores.
The simplest solution for the brands would be to acquire the appropriate licensing agreements. Notably, another manufacturer, Hisense, recently obtained a license for HEVC, highlighting that licensing is achievable. It remains unclear whether ASUS and Acer are encountering additional technical hurdles or have deemed licensing costs too high for the German market.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions in the tech industry over patent rights and licensing, especially within Europe’s more stringent regulatory framework.
