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Use and Licensing

SD Association's Licensing Program provides licenses to companies that have implemented, or would like to implement, the many technologies covered in the Association's specifications and intellectual property.

SD technology is used by more than 2,000 licensees, creating a thriving ecosystem for SD solutions in thousands of consumer electronics, wireless communication, and digital imaging and networking products.

Since 2000, SD Association has developed leading edge technology for digital media storage products. The SD memory card was the first portable memory card to be introduced in a miniature size. SD Association followed with the ultra small, high-capacity card, microSD, featuring complete backward compatibility - another first in the industry.

SD Association's ongoing commitment to developing innovative technology will help its members grow and maintain a leadership position in digital media storage products.

Abbreviation Licensor(s) Title Description
HALA SD Card Association
SD-3C, LLC		 Host and Ancillary Product License Agreement For the manufacture of SD host products and SD ancillary products
CLA SD-3C, LLC Card License Agreement For the manufacture of SD memory cards, combination cards and SDIO cards with flash memory
LAMS SD Card Association License Agreement for SD Association Memory Card Specifications For the manufacture of SD memory cards and flash SDIO cards
CPRM/CPPM 4C Entity CPRM/CPPM License Agreement* For the manufacture of SD memory cards and/or host products utilizing CPRM and/or CPPM

* Only available from the 4C Entity

Memory Cards

If your company is planning to make, design, use, offer for sale, import or export an SD memory card (eg. flash memory card, ROM cards, SD I/O combination cards, miniSD, microSD cards) or contract to have an SD memory card made, developed, designed or manufactured by a third-party your company is required to complete the following steps:

  1. Execute a License Agreement for SD Association Memory Card Specification or LAMS with SD Association
  2. Execute a Card License Agreement (CLA) at www.sd-3c.com

Recording and/or Copy Protecting Content

If your company wants to record content on SD Cards, your company is required to:

  1. Execute a Copy Protection for Recordable Media (CPRM) License by contacting the 4C Entity, LLC at : info@lmicp.com or visit www.4centity.com

Host and Ancillary Products

If your company is planning to make, have made, design, use, offer for sale, import or export SD Host Products or SD Ancillary Products, your company is required to complete the following steps:

  1. Join the SD Association
  2. Enter into a separate joint license agreement, Host/Ancillary Product License Agreement or HALA with Licensor and the SD-3C, LLC

Research and Development Phase

If your company is in the R&D phase and needs access to the SD specifications, a one year (non-membership) contract is available. Your company is required to complete the following steps:

  1. Complete Non-Disclosure Form
  2. Provide payment of $1000 USD to SD Association

For more information on the SD Association's Licensing Program, please contact our help desk at help@sdcard.org.