Panasonic wins injunction vs HMD in AAC patent fight
by Marin · NokiamobHMD Global is facing new legal pressure, as Panasonic has reportedly secured a preliminary injunction against the company in Brazil over AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) standard-essential patents (SEPs).
According to recent legal reports, the Brazilian court found that a licensing offer via the AAC patent pool (Via Licensing Alliance) was sufficiently FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory), strengthening Panasonic’s position in the dispute.
The ruling means that HMD could be required to stop selling or importing affected devices in Brazil if infringement is confirmed, something that has already happened in similar cases.
What’s behind the dispute?
AAC is a widely used audio compression standard, present in around 80% of mobile devices globally, making it a critical technology for smartphone makers. However, HMD is reportedly not part of the AAC licensing pool, and has previously faced multiple SEP-related disputes, often choosing to challenge licensing terms rather than accept them early.
This isn’t an isolated case. Brazil has become a key battleground for SEP litigation, where courts are increasingly willing to grant injunctions early in proceedings to protect patent holders. In fact, reports suggest HMD has already scaled back its direct presence in Brazil following earlier patent disputes, with devices still reaching the market mainly through third-party imports.
Why it matters?
For Nokia fans, this case adds another layer of uncertainty:
- Potential market disruptions in regions like Brazil
- Continued pressure on HMD over licensing strategy
- Possible impact on future device availability and pricing
At this stage, this injunction clearly signals that patent disputes remain a serious challenge for HMD’s smartphone business. Also, the company has left Brazil completely and the phones are being sold through importers. All in all, we’ll keep tracking developments as the case evolves.
Thanks KaizerAllen for the tip 😉