In-depth reporting and analytical commentary on intellectual property disputes and debates. No legal advice.

Category: Germany

HMD files complaint accusing Federal Court of Justice of Germany of violating constitutional rights in ongoing VoiceAge EVS case

March 16, 2026

In a constitutional complaint filed in the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, HMD has alleged that the Federal Court of Justice of Germany’s refusal to refer “essential questions” of EU law to the European Court of Justice constitutes a “violation of its constitutional right to the lawful judge”.
First U.S. patent long-arm assertions in German court withdrawn with prejudice as Onesta settles with Qualcomm; separately, NVIDIA settled

March 14, 2026

The realistic best-case scenario for BMW materialized with respect to costs. But the overall course of events will not completely discourage others from pulling an Onesta.
OPPO wins German 5G case against ASUS; first such win for OPPO, ASUS’s third Munich defeat in as many months

March 13, 2026

This is OPPO’s first 5G patent injunction, and the history of the dispute is that ASUS attacked first (directly and via non-practicing entity Innovative Sonic).
Samsung’s losing streak continues as Frankfurt court rejects FRAND antitrust claim against ZTE

February 25, 2026

Scattershot FRAND litigation is not paying off for Samsung. Now all eyes are on China, where a FRAND determination could come down very shortly.
FRAND Friday: Federal Court of Justice, Munich I Regional Court release landmark SEP rulings; here’s why Renault (“daily million-fold infringement”), HMD, EC lost

February 20, 2026

Two major German SEP/FRAND rulings became publicly accessible this morning. This is a lot for practitioners to digest as both decisions address new questions (or old questions from new angles).
Acer, ASUS may NOT settle YET despite recent German SEP injunctions: new research and observations; HTC, HMD, OPPO, vivo examples

February 15, 2026

After last month’s injunctions, Acer and ASUS may still be holding out (which is meant non-judgmentally here). We received (a) surprising information from a court on Friday and (b) took note of an interesting but little-noticed statement.
Judge Albright hands down written antisuit injunction ruling in BMW v. Onesta; settlement looms large, but this matters for future cases

February 13, 2026

The dispute between Onesta and BMW is apparently coming to an end now, but Judge Albright’s reasoning for an antisuit injunction will be cited to in future situations where U.S. patents are asserted abroad.
InterDigital wins third Munich injunction against Disney: court confirms bench ruling over HEVC-related patent

February 13, 2026

In an impressive winning sterak, InterDigital has now won three out of three cases against Disney in Munich. It was this week’s second bench ruling in Munich (the other came down at the local UPC division).
Détente in Munich lawsuits over U.S. patents: unconventional tactics against BMW likely spurred settlement talks with Qualcomm

February 13, 2026

A settlement between Qualcomm and Onesta is a mere formality. A new filing by Onesta in Munich shows that this litigation is most likely coming to an end very soon.
Xiaomi takes down another Nera Innovations patent; after Federal Patent Court decision, Munich I Regional Court proceedings to remain on hold

February 11, 2026

Xiaomi has been defending itself very successfully against non-practicing entity Nera Innovations’ UPC and German lawsuits.