by Tom Hartig on September 28, 2023

Netflix without 4k? Due to a patent dispute, Netflix customers could soon be downgraded to watch in HD. The streaming provider apparently does not have the necessary rights to use the technology at all.

The specific issue is the H.265 standard. The hardware manufacturer Broadcom has announced that Netflix has violated the company's patents with its use - a restraining order has already been obtained by the Munich Regional Court. This states that Netflix is not allowed to continue using the technology in Germany, which so far has mainly been used in 4K or Ultra HD streams. Broadcom is also currently taking legal action against Netflix in the USA and the Netherlands.

How the court decision will actually effect customers is currently unclear. Netflix could alternatively stream with the AV1 codec, but this is not supported by all devices. If Netflix complies with the court decision and cannot quickly switch its streams to a different technology, the 4K option could disappear for many customers. However, since this feature is part of many subscription contracts, this is likely to cause some trouble. We are curious to see how the situation will develop in the upcoming days, especially because Broadcom is also pressing the issue in other countries like the US.