October 20, 2026, 1:34 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
The patent dispute between Disney and InterDigital over various technologies enabling content delivery in 4K-UHD and HDR is expanding. After consumer advocates in Germany took action, organizations across Europe are now making clear demands on the entertainment giant. Among other things, they want Disney+ to automatically lower its price.
Disney+ Should Lower Price for Premium Subscription
The company InterDigital took Disney to court because the corporation violated existing patents for its in-house streaming service. As a result, the provision of movies and series in 4K-UHD and HDR was temporarily suspended, including in Germany. As an offer to customers, they could apply for a partial refund for the current billing period or switch plans.
The European consumer protection organization Euroconsumers found this insufficient, especially since Disney continued to advertise the affected premium subscription at full price with 4K and HDR promises in several countries. Therefore, the organization sent a formal notice and cease-and-desist letter. Among other things, it demands that Disney+ automatically lower its price.
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Refund Demanded from Disney+
This should apply to all current and new subscribers of the premium subscription. Furthermore, Disney is urged to automatically refund 5 euros per month for the entire period during which the features were missing. This should be done as transparently as possible, with comprehensive information about the exact circumstances.
Euroconsumers has given Disney a 14-day ultimatum to implement all demands. If the company does not respond, Euroconsumers’ national member organizations will file with the EU Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network and national authorities. Subsequently, they will demand fines amounting to four percent of annual revenue in the affected countries.
Initiative Also Realistic in Germany?
Currently, the initiative applies to Italy, Belgium, and Portugal, with customers in Brazil also represented by Euroconsumers. The formal notice is issued on behalf of member organizations Altroconsumo (Italy), Testachats/Testaankoop (Belgium), and DECO PROteste (Portugal).
It remains to be seen whether Disney will lower prices and comply with the other demands. Since Euroconsumers is relying on applicable EU law and represents several EU countries in this matter, the outcome could have a signaling effect for other markets–it is conceivable that additional national consumer protection organizations might join Euroconsumers in this effort.
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It would only be logical: Already in March of this year, the Consumer Center of Lower Saxony saw a need for action and a legal deficiency. In September, consumer advocates in France also became active. EU-wide, the pressure on Disney is growing. TECHBOOK asked Disney Germany for an assessment of the new initiative and whether it is conceivable that they would comply with it here as well. A response has yet to be received.