On November 24 2025 the Munich Regional Court issued an injunction that bars The Walt Disney Company from using a patented high‑dynamic‑range (HDR) streaming technology in its consumer‑direct services, including Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. The injunction was granted in a second legal action by InterDigital, a research‑and‑development firm that licenses video‑compression and streaming patents worldwide. Disney can appeal, but the ruling immediately limits the company’s ability to roll out HDR‑enhanced content across its streaming platforms, potentially delaying or scaling back the visual upgrades that subscribers increasingly demand.
InterDigital’s injunction follows a pattern of litigation against Disney that began in February 2025. The company has secured a preliminary injunction in Brazil and a prior injunction in Munich for a different patent covering dynamic video stream overlays. InterDigital’s legal team argues that Disney has been using its technology without a license, and that the patents are central to the high‑quality streaming experience that drives subscriber growth.
The court’s decision has a clear business impact. Disney’s streaming strategy relies on delivering premium visual quality to compete with rivals such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. By restricting HDR deployment, the injunction could slow Disney’s ability to differentiate its content, potentially affecting subscriber acquisition and retention. For InterDigital, the ruling strengthens its position in ongoing licensing negotiations and signals to the market that its portfolio of video‑streaming patents is enforceable.
InterDigital’s Q3 2025 earnings, released the same day, surpassed Wall Street expectations with a non‑GAAP EPS of $2.55 versus the forecasted $1.46, and revenue of $165 million against the anticipated $153.43 million. The earnings beat reflects disciplined cost management and strong demand for the company’s core video‑compression technologies. The market reacted positively, with InterDigital’s stock rising 3 % on the day of the injunction, underscoring investor confidence in the company’s licensing model.
Disney’s response to the injunction was not disclosed in the fact‑check report, but the company’s legal team is expected to file an appeal. The outcome of that appeal will determine whether Disney can resume HDR streaming on its platforms or must seek alternative technologies or licensing agreements.
Overall, the injunction represents a significant regulatory event that could reshape Disney’s streaming capabilities and reinforce InterDigital’s role as a key patent holder in the video‑delivery ecosystem.
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