Frequently Asked Licensing-Related Questions
Question: How is HDCP implemented?
A: Companies interested in implementing HDCP must first obtain a license from Digital Content Protection LLC, the organization that licenses this technology.
A: Click here to see the licenses that are available. To become a licensee, please complete two original copies of the desired license. Next, have an authorized company representative endorse both originals and send them to the address noted on the license page. Once all required licensing fees have been paid, Digital Content Protection LLC (DCP) will execute the license and return a copy for your records—along with procedures for ordering device key sets, if applicable. If an invoice is needed to generate the payment, DCP can provide one once the completed license agreement has been received.
Q: How do we change the HDCP Authorized Contact on file for our company?
A: Send an original, formal letter on your company letterhead signed by the current contact or signer stating that the current contact would like to designate a new authorized representative for your company. This letter must include complete contact information for the new authorized representative (name, title, phone number, fax number, email address and physical mailing address.)
A: Although we understand the difficulties small companies face, we cannot presently accommodate different levels of production
A: Any adopter that does not renew their license must immediately stop all use of HDCP. As stated in Section 9 of the HDCP License Agreement, "upon termination of this Agreement any licenses to Adopter hereunder immediately shall terminate and Adopter shall immediately cease all use of HDCP, Device Keys, Device Key Sets and the HDCP Specification."
Q: Our company would like to get the accounting process started for our first annual fee. What are your bank details?
A: If you email your company information as it is listed in Exhibit E of the License Agreement to info@digital-cp.com, we can generate an invoice for the annual license fee and forward it to you so that you can get your accounting process started.
Q: If our company needs to pay a withholding tax, can we just deduct that tax from the amount that is paid to DCP LLC?
A: No. As stated in Exhibit A, section 1.4 of the HDCP License Agreement, all taxes and fees must be paid such that the amount received by the DCP is equal to the balance due.
Q: My company was purchased by another company; how can we change the agreement over to the new company?
A: To transfer the HDCP License Agreement to a different company, the licensee will need to send an original letter on company letterhead explaining all the details of the transfer of assets. Please confirm in the letter that the transfer will follow the terms and conditions as stated in Section 12.3 of the HDCP License Agreement.
Q: When will my annual fee invoice be sent to me each year?
A: A signed copy of the annual fee invoice is sent out 60 days before your HDCP License Agreement will expire. A copy of the invoice is sent as a reminder 30 days before your expiration date.
Q: Can we have more than one authorized contact for our company?
A: No, there can only be one HDCP Authorized Contact per company assigned to receive Highly Confidential information such as Device Key sets. However, a different contact can be designated for billing purposes.
Q: What is the cost per unit sold (royalties) for each HDCP Licensed Component and or Product?
A: DCP does not charge Adopters for each unit that is produced or sold.
Q: What is the turn-around time for a license agreement?
A: After DCP receives your license agreement, it is forwarded to the organization president. License agreements are reviewed and countersigned in the order they are received. This process may take a few weeks to complete.
Q: How was the effective date of my agreement determined?
A: The agreement is effective as of the latest date set out on the signature page, which is always the date that DCP countersigned.
A: No, if your agreement is terminated, you must restart the licensing process from the beginning.
Q: We paid the full fee, so why was my wire transfer short?
A: The charge is not imposed by our bank but by intermediary banks and financial institutions for forwarding on your wire transfer. Unless otherwise noted, these institutions will simply deduct their fees from the payment you are sending, thus making the wire transfer received by DCP short. We suggest that you first check with your bank regarding the intermediary bank charges as we cannot determine what additional fees will be charged.
Q: Where can we find sample keys?
A: Sample device keys for testing purposes are included in Appendix A, page 58, of the specification. Please note that these sample keys will not work in the field, and therefore should not be used in a real product.
A: Follow the steps below.
Q: What is the cost for express processing?
A: $5,000 USD for orders up to 1,000,000 Device Key sets.
Q: What is the smallest number of Device Key sets that can be purchased?
A: The quantities and prices for key orders are listed below.
| Description | Cost (USD) |
| HDCP Receiver or Transmitter Keys-- | $1,000.00 |
| HDCP Receiver or Transmitter Keys-- | $2,500.00 |
| HDCP Receiver or Transmitter Keys-- | $5,000.00 |
| Express (7 business days) Key Order Fee | $5,000.00 |
Frequently Asked Technical Questions
Q: What does TMDS stand for?
A: TMDS stands for Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling. This is the high-speed signaling standard utilized by HDMI and DVI for transmission of uncompressed digital video and audio. The TMDS signals are encrypted using HDCP to protect High Definition content.
Q: What interfaces can utilize HDCP?
A: HDCP is licensed for use on HDMI/DVI, DisplayPort, GVIF and UDI interfaces.
A: The HDCP License Agreement defines a “Licensed Component” as a product, such as an integrated circuit, circuit board, or software module, that is designed to be used as part of a Licensed Product and that embodies a portion of the HDCP Specification, but that does not embody the entire HDCP Specification or does not completely satisfy the Compliance Rules and the Robustness Rules.
The Agreement defines “Licensed Product” as a product or combination of Licensed Components, including but not limited to a software application, hardware device or combination thereof, that (a) implements the HDCP Specification and complies with all requirements of the HDCP Specification not expressly identified as optional or informative and (b) is Compliant.
A: The facsimile keys are included in the specification as a means to test products under development. They can be used to evaluate that a device properly indexes and generates the secret values without having to maintain the secrecy required for “real” keys. The specification provides a step-by-step walk through of an authentication utilizing the facsimile keys. If the device under development is able to accomplish the same process, and generate the same values, the adopter can be certain that their device is functioning correctly, and will generate the appropriate values once the “real” keys have been loaded. They are to be used strictly for developmental purposes only as they will not authenticate with devices that contain “real” keys, nor will they pass compliance testing.
A: Per the specification, the Source is required to support repeaters (devices whose repeater bit in BCAPS is set to 1) to be compliant. Even if your Source device supports only a Source Max KSV of 1, it is still able to support a Repeater with a single downstream device as the Repeater only reports the downstream device’s BKSV in the KSV FIFO, and the Source authenticates with the Repeater’s BKSV separately.
A: The lab test schedule is based on a first come, first served basis, and only supports one adopter per week. To request a test time, please email your request to hdcplab@vtm-inc.com with your request, and you will be notified of available times. There is no fee if you accompany your device to the lab.
A: No, you may ship your device to us for testing; however, the following fees will be charged:
o Sink: $1,500 USD
o Source: $2,000 USD
o Repeater: $2,500 USD
The adopter is responsible for payment of all shipping costs associated with the delivery and return of the device. Once we receive the device, we will notify you of the week in which it will be tested, and will provide all test logs and reports upon completion. There is no fee if you accompany your device to the lab.
A: If you accompany your device to the lab for testing, you may make changes to the software and/or firmware as needed to address any problems identified during testing as long as you do not need to extend your visit beyond a three-day period.
If you ship your device to the lab unaccompanied, we will make a best effort to upgrade firmware per instructions you provide. Your request and directions release us of liability should the software/firmware update be unsuccessful.
A: The HDCP license agreement requires that devices be compliant, that is, meet the requirements of the HDCP specification and the Compliance Test Specification. The license agreement does not require any specific testing.
HDCP does not have a logo program. HDMI does have, but does not require a specific test to use it. The Simplay logo may only be used after a device has passed testing at a Simplay Labs facility. Here is a summary of testing requirements:
HDCP: Self-test, yes; logo program, no. Passing test at an Authorized Test Center (ATC) allows the device to be listed on digital-cp.com web site.
HDMI: Self-test, yes; logo program, no. Passing test at an ATC allows the device to be listed on hdmi.org web site.
Simplay: Self-test, no; logo program, yes. Passing test at an ATC allows the device to be listed on simplayhd.com web site.
Note: This information is correct at time of publication. Check HDMI and Simplay web sites for up-to-date test requirements.
A: No, content encrypted with HDCP must maintain that encryption until the content is displayed on a Presentation Device. Removal of encryption to convert to another format that does not have approved content protection technology is not allowed.
A: Any device that removes HDCP encryption from content before it reaches a Presentation Device (i.e., a device that is connected by cables between the Source and the Display) may be in violation of the terms of the HDCP License Agreement. Please notify us at hdcp-lab@vtm-inc.com, and we will investigate.
A: HDCP is not DRM; it is copy protection. DRM defines whether a consumer has the right to view the content, i.e. paid the license fee. HDCP assures that the HDMI interface over which the content will be played is secured against unauthorized copying.
HDCP does not limit how content is viewed, it only secures the HDMI interface. Without HDCP (and other copy protection technologies), content providers may not make their premium content available in High Definition formats.
A: No, HDCP only protects HDMI, DisplayPort, UDI or GVIF interfaces. HDCP is not used to scramble any form of content before it reaches the connection between the Receiver (Set-top box, satellite, antenna). Those signals are on the upstream side of the device. The downstream side (connection between Receiver and TV or other Display) is where HDCP is used.
A: Today’s analog TV signals are scheduled to transition to all digital in 2009. If the Receiver uses HDCP on the downstream side (connection to the TV), then the TV will need HDCP to display the content properly. Analog TVs receiving over-the-air programming will still work after that date, but owners of these TVs will need to buy converter boxes to change digital broadcasts into analog format. Converter boxes will be available from consumer electronic products retailers at that time. Cable and satellite subscribers with analog TVs should contact their service providers about obtaining converter boxes for the DTV transition.
A: The Source device invokes HDCP on the downstream interface when the Upstream
Content Protection Flag is set. To say that it is required for DVD or any other content is outside the purview of HDCP.
A: The approved upstream formats for HDCP include the following:
· AACS
· DTCP
· CPPM
· CPRM
· ARIB (
· DVB (
· Cable Labs
· CSS
· Microsoft Media DRM