Disney+ Premium users in France and other countries may be experiencing occasional interruptions in high-quality features like 4K Ultra HD and HDR, according to recent reports. This issue is linked to an ongoing legal dispute between Disney+ and InterDigital, a company that holds numerous patents related to video compression and display technologies. Josh Schmidt, legal director at InterDigital, explained that a licensing agreement is necessary for Disney+ to fully utilize these premium features, as they rely on technologies developed and patented by InterDigital. InterDigital, originally established in 1972 as International Mobile Machines Corporation, rebranded in 1992 after merging with two other companies. Initially focused on mobile and wireless technologies, the company expanded into video technology in 2018 with the acquisition of Technicolor’s patent licensing business. Since 2020, InterDigital has been working to monetize its extensive patent portfolio through licensing agreements, investing approximately $1 billion in research and development over the past five years to avoid being labeled a "patent troll." The dispute with Disney+ centers on video compression and enhancement technologies, including HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), which allows for smaller video files without sacrificing quality, and HDR (High Dynamic Range), which improves color and contrast in visuals. InterDigital also claims patents on features like fast-switching between episodes and displaying subtitles. Schmidt noted that Disney+ is using these technologies without a license, prompting InterDigital to pursue legal action. Following failed negotiations, InterDigital initiated patent infringement lawsuits in the United States, Germany, Brazil, and before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), which allows for a single legal decision to affect multiple European Union countries. Since 2023, InterDigital has secured seven injunctions from different jurisdictions under three legal systems. In Germany, the Munich court granted three injunctions in late 2024 and early 2025, covering HDR broadcasting, HEVC compression, and methods for overlaying video streams—such as subtitles—onto one another. These legal actions aim to enforce InterDigital’s patent rights and secure licensing agreements with companies like Disney+.