French consumer rights organisation Que Choisir Ensemble has issued a formal notice to Disney, demanding changes to its Disney+ streaming service after subscribers lost access to several premium picture-quality features without a corresponding reduction in subscription prices.

The intervention follows an ongoing patent dispute between Disney and technology company InterDigital, which has led to the removal of features including Dolby Vision, HDR and 4K Ultra HD from Disney+ Premium in France and other European markets.

In a statement published on 23 September, Que Choisir Ensemble said the removal of these features had left subscribers paying for a service that no longer delivered all the benefits associated with the Premium package. The organisation is calling on Disney to restore the affected features or reduce the subscription price, provide clearer information to customers, introduce fair and consistent compensation, and stop using commercial descriptions that could mislead consumers.

Disney+ Premium is priced at €15.99 per month in France, compared with €10.99 for the Standard plan. Premium has traditionally offered higher picture and sound quality, alongside the ability to stream on four devices simultaneously.

However, several of its headline features have been affected by the dispute with InterDigital, which holds patents relating to video compression and image-enhancement technologies. Dolby Vision and other high-dynamic-range formats were among the first features to be affected, followed by the removal of 4K Ultra HD streaming in several European markets in July 2026.

Disney subsequently began restoring 4K streaming using the VP9 video codec, but compatibility has been limited to certain devices. InterDigital has also challenged Disney's use of VP9, arguing that the technology infringes its patents.

The dispute has resulted in a series of legal proceedings in Europe. InterDigital has secured multiple injunctions against Disney, including rulings from Germany's courts and the Unified Patent Court, which handles patent disputes across participating European countries.

In September, the Unified Patent Court issued a further injunction concerning technology used to maintain seamless video playback when content is shared between devices. The ruling covered Germany and the Netherlands, with Disney retaining the right to appeal.

The legal dispute has had direct consequences for subscribers, with Disney removing or modifying features rather than continuing to offer technologies at the centre of the patent proceedings.

Que Choisir Ensemble says subscribers should not have to continue paying the same price when significant features of their subscription have been withdrawn. The organisation is seeking a consistent approach to compensation rather than relying on individual customers to complain to Disney's customer service department.

According to Que Choisir, some subscribers have obtained compensation after contacting customer support, but no comprehensive compensation policy has been introduced.

The group is also calling for clearer information about the features available to subscribers, including the limitations affecting picture quality and device compatibility.

InterDigital has said that the dispute could be resolved through a licensing agreement that would allow Disney to continue using its patented technologies.

A spokesperson for the company said: “How Disney handles its European customers is ultimately up to Disney itself. We find it unfortunate and unfair that consumers continue to pay for features of Disney’s streaming service that they no longer receive.”

The spokesperson added that InterDigital remained willing to resolve the dispute through a licence agreement, allowing Disney to provide what it described as the highest-quality picture and service to its customers.

The latest intervention from Que Choisir Ensemble adds consumer protection concerns to a dispute that has primarily centred on patent rights and licensing negotiations. Whether the action will lead to changes in Disney+'s pricing, compensation arrangements or available features remains to be seen.