Context: The Opus audio codec standard defined by a consortium including Mozilla (Firefox browser), Skype and the Xiph.Org Foundation is supposed to be royalty-free (Opus Codec license terms page). But almost three years ago, patent pool administrator Vectis IP launched an Opus pool to collect royalties on behalf of companies not bound by a royalty-free licensing pledge (pool website). Its key contibutor is Dolby. In 2024, Dolby settled Unified Patent Court (UPC) litigation with device maker Optoma. Litigation was also brought against Japan’s EPSON and Turkey’s Arçelik.
What’s new: Dolby and EPSON have settled. A UPC document shows that the proceedings were first stayed as per an order dated September 17, 2025. Meanwhile, the parties have reached a full agreement, and the litigation has ended. By contrast, the UPC Dusseldorf (LD) apparently still has to hold a Dolby v. Arçelik trial next Thursday.
Direct impact: This Vectis pool is relatively young, but apparently successful, given that two significant device makers have already settled.
Wider ramifications: It remains to be seen if Arçelik will still settle ahead of the Dusseldorf LD hearing. In light of the settlements with Optoma and EPSON, other implementers of the Opus standard may decide to avoid litigation in the first place.
Court and counsel
The above-mentioned order to stay the Dolby v. EPSON proceedings was entered by Presiding Judge (and here, judge-rapporteur) Sabine Klepsch and named the following lawyers:
Counsel for Dolby: Bardehle Pagenberg’s Dr. Volkmar Henke and Dr. Tilman Mueller (“Müller” in German).
Counsel for EPSON: Hoffmann Eitle’s Holger Stratmann.
Presiding Judge (and there, judge-rapporteur) Ronny Thomas signed an October 10, 2025 order in Dolby v. Arçelik in preparation of the October 16, 2025 hearing. That order named additional members of the Bardehle Pagenberg team representing Dolby: Ann-Christine Hug, patent attorney Tobias Kaufmann and Dr. Julian Renner.
Counsel for Arçelik: Meissner Bolte’s Dr. Jasper Werhahn, Tilman Pfrang, Niels Schuh, Andreas Kabisch and Hans Joachim Gerstein.