Lenovo stops selling tablets, laptops and desktops in Germany – update

Lenovo will immediately stop selling laptops, tablets and desktops under its own brand in Germany. The reason is a conviction of a German judge in a patent battle with Nokia.

Lenovo has posted a notification at the top of its own German website that the portfolio has been restricted. The case concerns a license to a patent for the use of video codec H.264 from Nokia, Heise reports. All devices with a screen that can play video are covered, including Motorola phones and Lenovo proprietary hardware.

Lenovo has not yet provided any further explanation on the sale freeze. Nokia had urged the court to do so, after a German court ruled that Lenovo must purchase the license from Nokia. Lenovo felt that Nokia was asking too much money for the license and therefore did not want to pay for it. Earlier this week it became clear that Nokia was heading for the sales freeze. If Lenovo pays for a license, the company can presumably resume selling products in Germany.

The move will not affect sales of Lenovo products in other countries as it concerns a specific German lawsuit. Nokia may, however, decide to initiate cases in other countries as well. A sales stop due to a patent battle happens more often.

Update, 8:31 PM: Lenovo says that the sale of Motorola smartphones can continue. The article has been updated accordingly.