26. February 2026
Acer And Asus Patent Dispute Escalates: Two Tech Giants Websites Shut Down
The recent development of a patent dispute between Acer and Asus, regarding the HEVC codec, has taken an unexpected turn. The two companies’ German websites have been shut down, rendering it impossible for existing customers to access drivers, updates, and other support resources. This move is not only frustrating for enthusiasts but also raises questions about the scope and effectiveness of the injunction.
In a statement, Asus assured users that all after-sales services in Germany remain operational and that existing customers will continue to receive uninterrupted support. However, the company’s website has been effectively blocked, with German users redirected to a page stating that the site is unreachable. Similarly, users attempting to access the US version of the websites are met with an error message.
The origin of this issue lies in Nokia’s lawsuit against both companies over royalties for the HEVC codec. The Finnish telecommunications giant successfully secured a German court order blocking Asus and Acer from “offering, placing on the market, using, or importing or possessing such devices in Germany.” This ruling has significant implications for the European computing market, particularly in Germany, which is the largest consumer computing market in Europe.
The fact that both companies’ websites have been completely taken offline seems excessive, especially considering Asus’s assurance that after-sales services will continue to operate. It is unclear whether email support has also been affected, but an attempt to contact Asus via their website was met with an error message.
One possible explanation for the widespread blockage is the unintended consequences of the injunction’s wording. In theory, both companies could have taken a more targeted approach by disabling only their German online stores and restricting shipments to Germany. However, the scope of the injunction appears to be broader, affecting not only the websites but also users attempting to access them from outside Germany.
Similar situations have arisen in the past for other companies, including Oppo/OnePlus, Vivo, and Lenovo. In these cases, reports suggest that their respective websites were not completely taken offline. However, it appears that Asus and Acer are playing on the side of caution.
The impact of this dispute is likely to be felt beyond the confines of Germany. The decision by two major players in the European computing market to shut down their websites has significant implications for consumers and enthusiasts. As one enthusiast noted, “This is a nightmare scenario. We’re talking about companies that are supposed to provide support to their customers, and instead, they’re choosing to isolate them.”
The situation highlights the complexities of international trade agreements and intellectual property laws. The HEVC codec dispute is just one example of how patent disputes can have far-reaching consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
In conclusion, the shutdown of Asus and Acer’s German websites due to a patent dispute over the HEVC codec has left existing customers without access to drivers, updates, and other support resources. While both companies have assured that after-sales services will continue to operate, the scope of the injunction seems excessive, and the situation raises questions about the effectiveness of such rulings.
As the dispute continues, it remains to be seen how both parties will navigate this complex issue. In the meantime, enthusiasts can only hope that a resolution is reached soon, allowing for the restoration of support resources and normal functionality for both companies.
In the meantime, users may try using alternative workarounds to access drivers and updates, such as checking US websites or utilizing VPN endpoints outside Germany. However, these methods are not guaranteed to work and should be approached with caution due to potential security risks.