Düsseldorf, Germany - October 9, 2025 – VIA Licensing Alliance (VIA LA) and Microsoft have reached a global settlement to end the HEVC standard-essential patent enforcement actions pending at the Regional Court of Düsseldorf. The resolution sees Microsoft take licences under VIA LA’s HEVC program.
The actions were filed by licensors of the program in winter 2024/2025 and concerned Microsoft’s use of HEVC across various products. On the claimants’ side, the litigation was led by Gottfried Schüll, Partner at COHAUSZ & FLORACK, together with Axel Verhauwen, Partner at Krieger Mes. The Düsseldorf court is a frequent venue for SEP and FRAND disputes, particularly in consumer-electronics and streaming technology.
VIA LA, created through the 2023 combination of Via Licensing and MPEG LA, administers collaborative licensing programs covering widely implemented video technologies. The HEVC program has been the basis for previous enforcement campaigns, including matters that concluded in settlements after proceedings in Düsseldorf.
About VIA LA
VIA LA is the industry’s largest patent-pool administrator, operating dozens of global licensing programs and enabling efficient access to essential technologies for implementers while returning value to innovators. VIA LA’s programs cover nearly 50,000 patents across 130+ countries, with 500+ patent holders and ~10,000 licensees.
About COHAUSZ & FLORACK
COHAUSZ & FLORACK is a German patent and IP law firm founded in 1954, with offices in Düsseldorf and Munich. Its team of patent attorneys and attorneys-at-law advises international corporations and innovative mid-sized companies on all aspects of intellectual property and unfair competition — from patent filing and portfolio management to enforcement and licensing. C&F combines deep technical expertise with long-standing client relationships and an integrated approach across prosecution and litigation.
Representation
Claimants (VIA LA pool licensors):
COHAUSZ & FLORACK (Düsseldorf) - Gottfried Schüll, Christoph Walke, Fabian Vogelbruch, Henning Sternemann (all Partner), together with KriegerMes - Axel Verhauwen (Partner).
