Germany's Asus and Acer users are unable to update their computers. Websites containing drivers, BIOS updates, and technical support have been taken down.
Patent wars frequently involve a victim: the users. This is what is going on in Germany, where owners of Acer and Asus computers are unable to update their devices because the two manufacturers have removed websites that contain drivers, BIOS updates, and technical support.
This resulted from a legal battle over a video playback patent, which both companies lost. It's a bitter fight where customers bear the brunt. The same thing happened with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which disappeared from Disney+ in Europe due to unpaid patent fees.
Users of Asus and Acer devices in Germany are left unprotected: if they encounter a problem with their devices and need to reinstall Windows, or if they buy a new device, they will not be able to update the drivers or BIOS, leading to security and performance problems.
Of course, the drivers needed to run the computer are obtained through the Windows operating system, but for well-known brand computers, manufacturers provide drivers specific to certain components of their models. There are also BIOS files, which are not part of the Windows operating system.
They have also discontinued their technical support, so if any customer encounters a problem with their computer, they will not be able to get help.
The situation is truly bizarre. According to TechSpot, these two manufacturers have not only shut down their own websites, but they are also preventing users with German IP addresses from accessing websites in other countries where the drivers are available. Their only option is to use a VPN to change their IP address to that of another country.
In separate statements, Asus and Acer said they are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Germany is the largest PC market in Europe, and they cannot continue like this much longer. Resolving the legal dispute will take months. Ultimately, it will likely end as all patent disputes usually do: with negotiations and an additional payment for the license.