Amazon Prime Video Faces German Ban After Patent Dispute

Amazon Prime Video faces a potential shutdown in Germany following a patent dispute with Nokia's subsidiary, Alcatel-Lucent. The Düsseldorf District Court ruled that Amazon had violated a Nokia patent critical to Prime Video's streaming function. As a result, Amazon must either cease the service or agree to a fair licensing deal with Nokia.

Failure to comply with the court's decision could result in fines up to 250,000 euros or even imprisonment for Amazon executives. This ruling echoes a similar case from 2022, where Amazon was forced to withdraw Fire TV devices from the market over related patent issues. Despite one lawsuit dismissal, the court's current decision underscores the patent's importance to Prime Video's operation.

Nokia hopes for a mutually beneficial licensing agreement, while Amazon is yet to publicly respond to the ruling. This legal setback adds to Amazon's recent challenges, including consumer dissatisfaction following a Prime Video price hike earlier in 2023. The situation remains tense as Nokia seeks to enforce the court's decision, potentially leading to an immediate suspension of Prime Video in Germany.