Dolby Laboratories filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Acer Inc. on December 10, 2025, in the Unified Patent Court’s local division in The Hague. The suit alleges that Acer has used Dolby’s patented audio technologies in violation of the terms of the Opus licensing agreement, which governs the use of the Opus audio codec standard.
The claim focuses on patents administered through the Opus Patent Pool, a joint venture between Dolby, Fraunhofer, and NTT that licenses essential patents for the Opus codec. Dolby asserts that Acer’s products incorporate these patented technologies without securing the required royalty payments, thereby breaching the licensing agreement’s provisions.
Dolby’s filing underscores its commitment to protecting its royalty streams. The company reported strong fiscal 2025 results, with total revenue of $1.35 billion—up 6% from $1.27 billion in 2024—and non‑GAAP net income of $414 million, a 12% increase from $369 million. In the fourth quarter, revenue was $307 million, up 0.6% from $305 million, while non‑GAAP net income rose 23% to $96 million from $78 million in the prior year.
CEO Kevin Yeaman said Dolby is focused on expanding its patent portfolio and ensuring compliance with licensing agreements. He noted that the Opus Patent Pool is a key revenue driver and that enforcement actions help maintain the value of its intellectual property, reinforcing the company’s position in the audio technology market.
The lawsuit follows similar actions against other manufacturers and reflects Dolby’s broader strategy to defend its IP and secure its licensing model. While the financial impact of the lawsuit is not yet quantified, Dolby expects that successful enforcement will protect its royalty streams and strengthen its competitive standing in the industry.
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