Observed Signal · Sep 14, 2026 · Legal Action · Source: t3n · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Legal & Patents Market: InterDigital Sues Disney for $101.7M in HDR Patent Dispute
InterDigital has escalated its patent dispute with Disney over HDR technology, filing a lawsuit at the Munich Regional Court seeking €101.7 million in damages. The claim covers Disney Plus's unlicensed use of HDR technology from March 2020 to the initial court ruling in late 2025, affecting users in Germany and 19 other European countries. The dispute began in November 2025 when InterDigital obtained an injunction, leading Disney to remove Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3D content, and later, under a UPC ruling in July 2026, to drop 4K UHD and HDR support. In September 2026, another ruling forced the removal of Google Cast functionality in Germany and the Netherlands. Disney has not yet responded, but InterDigital aims for a long-term licensing agreement. Disney had offered premium subscribers a special termination right in August 2026 following the quality downgrades.
The lawsuit highlights patent risks for streaming services and may impact content delivery, but is not directly a major adtech development.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- InterDigital is suing Disney for €101.7 million in damages for HDR patent infringement.
- The claim covers HDR usage by Disney Plus from March 2020 to the end of 2025.
- Disney Plus removed Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3D films after an injunction in November 2025.
- A Unified Patent Court ruling in July 2026 forced Disney to remove 4K UHD and HDR support.
- Another ruling in September 2026 led to removal of Google Cast functionality in Germany and the Netherlands.
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