Tech innovator InterDigital Inc. has launched a high-stakes legal assault against The Walt Disney Co., accusing the entertainment juggernaut of unlawfully leveraging its proprietary video technology without a license. The lawsuit, spanning multiple jurisdictions, demands that Disney cease using InterDigital’s video codec technology across its streaming services, including Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.

In a complaint filed Monday and seen by Law360, the Delaware-based research and development firm claims that Disney’s alleged infringement threatens to undermine its intellectual property rights. The company is now pressing courts to block Disney’s continued use of the contested technology.

InterDigital Seeks Legal Recourse After Failed Negotiations

"Our video technologies enable Disney to efficiently stream content and enhance the user experience," InterDigital’s Chief Legal Officer Josh Schmidt stated. "We always prefer to secure licensing agreements through amicable negotiation, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to fair compensation for our pioneering innovations."

InterDigital contends that it initially approached Disney in July 2022 to discuss a licensing deal, but the entertainment titan failed to comply. The lawsuit, according to InterDigital, is a necessary step to put an end to Disney’s continued infringement.

Legal Showdown Spans U.S. and International Courts

The lawsuit isn’t confined to the U.S. InterDigital has filed claims in multiple venues, including the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the Munich Regional Court in Germany, the Unified Patent Court, and the Rio de Janeiro State Court. The company alleges Disney’s "ongoing infringement" of its patents but has provided limited details on the full scope of the violations.

In its California lawsuit, InterDigital has asserted five patents covering essential streaming functionalities such as video encoding, color correction, and user interface design. While some of the patents are tied to high-efficiency video coding (HEVC), none of those cited in the U.S. proceedings are classified as standard-essential patents.

Disney Silent Amidst Mounting Legal Pressure

Despite the weight of these allegations, Disney has yet to issue a formal response. Representatives for the company did not immediately return requests for comment on Tuesday.

As the legal battle unfolds, industry insiders will be watching closely to see whether this patent war reshapes the landscape of streaming technology. For now, InterDigital is determined to press forward until it secures what it believes to be rightful compensation for its intellectual property.