Disney+ technically avoids the patent part: 4K is back, HDR is not yet

Disney+ has announced that premium subscribers in Germany can terminate their subscriptions early without financial penalty following the removal of 4K and HDR streaming features. The change comes after a patent dispute with InterDigital, which led to the discontinuation of these high-resolution options. Subscribers who received notification via email are granted a 30-day period to cancel their accounts, with refunds issued for unused portions of their billing cycle. This policy primarily benefits annual subscribers, who pay €160 per year, allowing them to reclaim a significant portion of their payment if they are dissatisfied with the reduced video quality. Monthly subscribers, however, will only receive refunds for the remaining days of their current billing period since they can typically cancel their subscription at the start of the next month. The decision to offer early termination was made because only premium subscribers were directly affected by the loss of 4K and HDR capabilities. These features are exclusive to the premium tier, while standard-tier users continue to receive content in HD resolution. Although 4K streaming has been partially restored on certain devices, including select models of Android TVs, Google, Philips, Sony, Amazon Fire TV, LG TVs manufactured from 2020 onward, Sky Glass, and Sky Stream, HDR remains unavailable. Disney has stated that it is working to expand support to additional devices and restore HDR functionality as soon as possible. The dispute with InterDigital began earlier this year when a German court ruled that Disney+ violated the company’s patents by using HEVC encoding for dynamic HDR content. In response, Disney removed Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3D content from its platform before eliminating standard HDR10. The conflict escalated further in July when the European Unified Patent Court issued an order against Disney regarding the use of HEVC encoding. As a result, 4K and HDR streaming disappeared entirely from Disney+ in Germany, leaving premium subscribers with lower-quality video output. To address the issue, Disney has reportedly switched from HEVC to the VP9 codec for 4K streams, as confirmed by tests conducted by heise online. While this change allows some users to access 4K content again, it does not resolve the ongoing HDR problem. The company has not disclosed specific technical details about its new approach, though the shift in codecs suggests a strategic move to comply with legal requirements while maintaining service quality. Despite these efforts, many users remain frustrated, particularly those who have paid for premium features that are no longer fully available. Consumer advocates, including the Consumer Center Lower Saxony, have expressed concern over the situation and are considering legal action. They argue that customers should not be penalized for changes beyond their control, especially when they have already paid for enhanced viewing experiences. Meanwhile, German subscribers continue to wait for the return of HDR10 and other advanced formats, which were previously available but have now been restricted due to the legal challenges. Looking ahead, Disney has not provided a clear timeline for when HDR will be reinstated or which additional devices will support 4K streaming. However, the company has indicated that it is actively expanding device compatibility and working toward a long-term solution. For now, premium subscribers must navigate the limitations imposed by the ongoing legal battle, balancing their expectations with the practical realities of the current service offerings.