• SD Technology
• About SD Card Association
• Start Using SD in Your Products
• Join the SD Association
  • Membership Benefits Comparison
  • Use and Licensing
    • HALA Licensing Documents
    • LAMS Licensing Documents
    • Non-Disclosure Agreement
  • Membership Application
• FAQ
• Glossary
• HALA Site
• LAMS Site

Use and Licensing

SD Association's Licensing Program operates in conjunction with the SD 3-C, LLC, and provides licenses to companies that have implemented, or would like to implement, the many technologies covered in the Association's specifications and intellectual property.

The SD technology offered by the SD Card Association and the SD 3-C, LLC is used by approximately 450 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. It was followed with the ultra small, high-capacity card, microSD card, featuring complete backward compatibility - another first in the industry.

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

* Only available from the 4C Entity

Memory Cards

If your company is planning to manufacture SD Memory Cards, (eg. flash memory cards, ROM cards, SD I/O combination cards, miniSD cards or microSD cards) or contract to have SD memory cards manufactured by a third-party on your behalf, your company is required to:

1. Execute a Card License Agreement (CLA)* with the SD 3-C, LLC and
2. Execute a License Agreement for SD Association Memory Card Specification (LAMS) with the SD Card Association

Contact the SD 3-C, LLC at SD-3CAdmin@millerkaplan.com

Recording and/or Copy Protecting Content via CPRM

If your company chooses to record content on SD Cards utilizing CPRM and purchase cards from a SD Card Licensee, 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 manufacture or have manufactured SD Host Products (eg. SD card readers, cell phones, cameras or computers) or SD Ancillary Products, (eg. adapters or SD I/O cards) your company is required to complete the following steps:

1. Join the SD Card Association and
2. Enter into a , Host/Ancillary Product License Agreement (HALA)* with the SD Card Association and the SD-3C, LLC
3. Licensee Registration Form (pdf, 24k) September, 2009
   Print and fill this form out (completely), and mail to the address above

Contact the SD 3-C, LLC at SD-3CAdmin@millerkaplan.com

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 Agreement
2. Provide payment of $1000 USD to the SD Card Association

If your company becomes a member of the SD Card Association within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the Non-Disclosure Agreement, then the SD CardAssociation will credit the $1000 USD payment  towards your company's membership dues.

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

*The CLA and HALA licenses are available for the convenience of licensees and no statements herein should be construed as suggesting that a party could not obtain the necessary intellectual property rights through individual licenses with the owners of the essential patents and relevant trademarks, copyrights and design patents.