Synopsis
Nokia has successfully blocked lawsuits filed by Acer and Asus in London. The dispute centers on video coding technology. Nokia's appeal means the cases will not proceed. This ruling impacts a global legal battle over patent licensing. Nokia had previously filed its own lawsuits in other countries. Acer and Asus have not yet commented on the decision.Listen to this article in summarized format
Acer and Asus had previously obtained a High Court declaration that a willing licensor in Nokia's position would agree to an interim licence until the court decided the "reasonable and non-discriminatory" terms of a patent licence.
But Nokia challenged that ruling and the Court of Appeal on Tuesday permanently "stayed" the cases, effectively ending the lawsuits brought against the Finnish technology company.
A Nokia spokesperson said the ruling meant that a trial due to take place in June and July will not now proceed. Acer and Asus did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Court of Appeal said that Nokia had offered a licence to Acer and Asus to use its patents on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms to be determined at arbitration, meaning their London lawsuits should not continue.
China-based Hisense had also sued Nokia, but settled its case before the appeal was heard.
Disputes over the fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms of a patent licence have frequently led to global legal battles in the telecoms industry.
English courts can set global FRAND terms, following a landmark 2020 UK Supreme Court ruling, as can courts in China.
Before Acer and Asus sued Nokia in London in June 2025, Nokia had filed its own lawsuits in the United States, as well as Brazil, Germany and India.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Alexander Smith)
