Acer and Asus' German websites are down in wake of lawsuit, but Acer says its own will 'be up again shortly' so customers can get BIOS updates again
PC Gamer
by James Bentley February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Acer and Asus' German websites for gaming PCs have gone offline due to an injunction from a patent lawsuit filed by Nokia. The legal dispute centers on H.265 (HEVC) video technology patents, with Nokia accusing Asus and Acer of infringement alongside Hisense's smart TVs. While Hisense settled the case in January, Acer and Asus continue to contest the claims. The court-ordered blockage prevents direct sales of gaming PCs from these brands in Germany, leaving customers with fewer options and hindering access to BIOS updates.
The situation is particularly frustrating for German PC gamers, as the websites being down adds another layer of inconvenience. While users can still purchase gaming PCs indirectly, updating firmware or BIOS through official channels has become more challenging. Acer has assured its customers that their website will return shortly, allowing access to necessary updates. Meanwhile, Asus has yet to provide a similar timeline for restoring its site.
The broader implications of this legal battle extend beyond direct sales and updates. For gamers, timely software updates are critical for optimizing hardware performance and ensuring security. The ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of tech patents and their impact on consumer experiences. While alternative methods like using VPNs or accessing international versions of the websites can circumvent restrictions, these workarounds add unnecessary steps that may deter users from keeping their systems up to date.
The case also raises questions about the broader effects of legal disputes on innovation and customer access. Although monitors, peripherals, and graphics hardware are not impacted by the injunction, the focus on gaming PCs underscores the significance of this sector in tech litigation
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/20/2026