The Walt Disney Company and Starz have reached a settlement which will allow Disney to use the Star+ brand name for its upcoming streaming service in Latin America. Therefore, Star+ can go ahead with its plans to launch in the region in late August.
“A resolution was reached between Disney and Lionsgate, and we are able to use the Star+ name for our general entertainment streaming service across Latin America when it launches on August 31,” a Disney spokesperson confirmed to Variety.
The Walt Disney Company also announced its Star+ pricing structure in the region, with monthly prices ranging from $6.30 in Brazil to $10 in Mexico. The service is going to be launched in most of Latin America, with programming to include a full slate of ESPN content along with movies and TV shows from Disney’s various content studios, alongside original shows from the region.
In the Starz complaint, that was filed in Latin America’s three largest markets - Brazil, Mexico and Argentina -, Starz argued that the “Star+” name infringed on its similar brand name and would confuse viewers. An Argentinian court had rejected Starz’s request for an injunction, and Mexico had not ruled on the matter. A Sao Paulo court document on the settlement, revealed by Variety, stated that “each of the parties will bear the court costs already expended and the counsel fees of their respective patrons, and any remaining court costs should be evenly split between the parties”.
In late July, Disney offered a bond of 50 million reales (around US$9.5 million) to compensate Starz for the possible loss of business because of their similar brand names, but the court rejected it.
Related News
