Ron Howard -- 'Happy Days' Cast Will Triumph in Royalties Battle

Ron Howard thinks his former "Happy Days" co-stars will prevail in their major legal battle with CBS over unpaid merchandising royalties, telling TMZ, he's confident "they'll get what they deserve."

Here's the back story ... a group of Ron's former "HD" castmates sued CBS -- claiming they're owed royalties from the use of their images in merch like DVD packages -- and the case was green lit to go to trial this month.

If the "Happy Days" stars get what they want ... CBS could have to shell out MEGA BUCKS.

TMZ spoke to Ron in Beverly Hills Monday ... the Oscar winner tells us he has no stake in the lawsuit, but still weighed in on the matter, saying in a positive way, "I think they'll get what they deserve."