Vivo is no longer allowed to sell smartphones in Germany by a German court

A German court has banned Chinese smartphone manufacturer vivo from selling smartphones in Germany because the company uses patented Nokia technology without paying for it. Vivo’s sister companies OnePlus and OPPO no longer sell anything in Germany.

Vivo uses 4G and 5G technologies for its smartphones that were previously patented by Nokia. vivo had a license for this, but it expired at the end of 2021. Since then, vivo and Nokia have been in talks to extend this agreement, writes WinFuture. Vivo claims that Nokia wanted a higher amount than was fair. Because they are essential patents to sell smartphones, Nokia must demand ‘reasonable’ rates according to the law.

The two companies could not reach an agreement, so Nokia decided to go to the Mannheim court to negotiate a sales freeze. That court agreed with Nokia and said the amount requested is fair. Vivo is therefore no longer allowed to sell smartphones in Germany, according to the ruling.

The Chinese smartphone manufacturer says in a response to have prepared for such a sales freeze, but says it will not actually stop selling smartphones in Germany yet. The company says it is preparing an appeal “and considering other options.” Meanwhile, the company continues to talk to Nokia about the patent licenses. Vivo says it still wants to focus on the German market.

The verdict does not affect smartphone sales in other countries. The verdict was already expected; Nokia previously won a similar lawsuit against vivo’s sister companies OPPO and OnePlus. That is why no phones from these two brands have been sold in Germany since August last year.