HDMI Forum and HDMI LA: adopter licence, testing, cables
Putting an HDMI port on a product is a contract matter, not a regulatory one. Two private bodies set the rules: HDMI Forum, Inc., which writes the HDMI Specification and its Compliance Test Specification, and HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. (HDMI LA), which licenses the specification and the trademarks, collects the fees and runs the cable labels. This page sets out, from the texts those two bodies publish, who must sign what, what it costs, which tests are self-tests and which go to an Authorized Test Center (ATC), what HDMI 2.2 changed in June 2025, how the Ultra96, Ultra High Speed and Premium cable programmes differ, where HDCP sits, and which common claims (including several this page made before October 2026) the sources contradict.
HDMI Forum, HDMI LA and the Founders
Section titled “HDMI Forum, HDMI LA and the Founders”Three groups appear in the HDMI texts, not two.
The HDMI Founders developed the original specification (the first version was released in December 2002, according to HDMI LA). The Founders list on hdmi.org today names the successors of the original companies, among them Philips, Lattice Semiconductor, Panasonic Holdings, Sony Group and Toshiba, with several of their affiliates.
HDMI Forum, Inc. is a non-profit, mutual benefit corporation that the Founders created in October 2011 to open the development of future versions to a wider industry group (Forum FAQ). Its stated mission is to create new versions of the HDMI Specification and of the Compliance Test Specification, and to provide an open and non-discriminatory licensing programme for them. HDMI LA describes the Forum as having over 90 member companies. Membership costs USD 12,500 a year, all members have equal voting rights, and members elected to the Board pay an extra USD 5,000 a year.
HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. (HDMI LA) is, in its own words, "the agent appointed by the HDMI Forum to license Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification and the agent appointed by the HDMI Founders to license earlier HDMI Specifications". The HDMI trademarks and logos are registered to HDMI LA. It signs Adopter Agreements, publishes the trademark guidelines, maintains the Authorized Test Center list, sells the cable certification labels and runs enforcement (including a customs search tool and a list of terminated Adopters).
Who does what
Section titled “Who does what”| Task | HDMI Forum | HDMI LA |
|---|---|---|
| Writes the specification | Yes (2.x versions, Technical Working Group) | No |
| Writes the Compliance Test Specification | Yes (stated mission) | No |
| Licenses the specification | Appoints HDMI LA for Version 2.2 | Yes (2.2 for the Forum, earlier versions for the Founders) |
| Owns the HDMI trademarks | No | Yes |
| Authorizes test centres | HDMI Forum ATCs (HDMI 2.x compliance testing) | HDMI ATCs (Founders programme, ATC Authorization Program) |
| Mandated the Ultra High Speed cable programme | Yes (January 6, 2020) | Administers it |
| Fee | USD 12,500 a year membership | Adopter fee plus royalty |
Forum membership and the Adopter licence are separate. The Forum specifications page is explicit: "Companies must be an HDMI Adopter to implement the HDMI standard". Joining the Forum gives a vote on the next specification, not the right to ship an HDMI product.
The Adopter Agreement
Section titled “The Adopter Agreement”What the licence gives
Section titled “What the licence gives”HDMI LA lists the Adopter licence benefits as: access to the current HDMI Specification and future releases, a licence to use the HDMI trademarks under the Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines, a listing as a licensed company on hdmi.org, eligibility for programmes such as the Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program, protection through customs authorities, and an Adopter certificate issued each year to confirm licence status. HDMI LA says it has over 1,900 Adopters.
Who must sign
Section titled “Who must sign”HDMI LA defines a licensed product strictly. An HDMI product made entirely of licensed components is not, by that fact, a licensed product. For a product to bear the HDMI trademarks:
- the manufacturer of the finished end-user product must be a licensed HDMI Adopter, and
- the finished product must meet every requirement of the Adopter Agreement, including passing compliance testing (at an HDMI ATC, an HDMI Forum ATC or through self-testing, depending on the case).
Buying an HDMI module, a licensed chipset or a licensed board does not move the obligation to the supplier.
HDMI 2.2 needs an addendum
Section titled “HDMI 2.2 needs an addendum”The Adopter Agreement covers HDMI 1.4b. To license HDMI 2.2 an Adopter also signs the HDMI 2.x Adopter Addendum; a new applicant receives both documents after registering. The Forum FAQ adds that there is no additional annual fee for the addendum, that Adopters keep paying the same royalties on HDMI 1.x products, and that a company signing both gets access to HDMI 1.4b and HDMI 2.2.
Published fees (registration form, October 2026)
Section titled “Published fees (registration form, October 2026)”| Agreement | Annual fee | Per unit | Royalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopter Agreement, end products, option 1 | USD 10,000 fixed | None | Yes |
| Adopter Agreement, end products, option 2 | USD 5,000 | USD 1.00 administration fee per licensed product | Yes |
| Test Equipment Manufacturer Agreement, option 1 | USD 10,000 | None | Not stated |
| Test Equipment Manufacturer Agreement, option 2 | USD 5,000 | USD 1.00 per test equipment unit sold | Not stated |
| Embedded Device License Agreement (EDL), option 1 | USD 10,000 | None | Not stated |
| Embedded Device License Agreement (EDL), option 2 | USD 5,000 | None stated | Not stated |
| HDMI Forum membership (not a licence) | USD 12,500 | None | None |
The royalty rates are not on the public site: HDMI LA says royalty and compliance guidelines are in the Adopter Extranet, and that compliant display of the HDMI logo can result in royalty discounts. The Adopter membership is activated once the Adopter and initial licensing fees are received. The agreement must be completed in English and is signed through DocuSign.
The Embedded Device License Agreement targets internal uses of HDMI in aerospace, automotive, healthcare, industrial automation and similar applications. HDMI LA states that it gives access to the 1.4b specifications with manufacturing rights and protections similar to the Adopter Agreement.
Compliance testing: self-test first, ATC for the first product of each type
Section titled “Compliance testing: self-test first, ATC for the first product of each type”The HDMI LA testing policy is short and more permissive than the old version of this page claimed.
- Before mass producing or distributing a licensed product, the Adopter must test a representative sample. First, the Adopter self-tests as specified in the then-current HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS).
- Second, the Adopter submits the first product of each licensed product type (source, sink, repeater or cable) to an HDMI ATC. Once one product of a type has passed, later products of that type do not have to go to an ATC. HDMI LA gives the example of a television: after one has passed, another television or display does not need ATC testing. HDMI LA still encourages ATC use.
- The CTS is the minimum testing required. HDMI LA states that passing it, or passing at an ATC, does not guarantee conformance, correct function or interoperability, and that each Adopter remains solely responsible for compliance with the specification and the Adopter Agreement.
HDMI LA publishes Compliance Testing Policies and Procedures 1.4c and a Capabilities Declaration Form (CDF) 1.4b on the same page. For HDMI 2.x, the Forum specifications page states that all products must comply with Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification and the current CTS, and points Adopters to the testing notices in the Adopter Extranet.
Two kinds of ATC
Section titled “Two kinds of ATC”| HDMI ATC | HDMI Forum ATC | |
|---|---|---|
| Authorized by | Established by the HDMI Founders; ATC Authorization Program run by HDMI LA | The HDMI Forum |
| Scope stated | HDMI compliance testing | HDMI 2.x compliance testing |
| Cable programme flags on the list | "Premium Cable" on 5 listings | "Ultra Cable" on 12 listings, "Premium Cable" on 2 |
| Listings on hdmi.org, October 7, 2026 | 18 | 20 |
Every ATC listed on hdmi.org on October 7, 2026 is located in mainland China, Taiwan, Japan or South Korea. A European or North American manufacturer that needs an ATC (first product of a type, any Premium cable, any Ultra cable) ships samples to Asia.
HDMI specification versions
Section titled “HDMI specification versions”| Version | Date (source) | Headline content | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First HDMI specification | December 2002 (HDMI LA) | Founders specification | Historical |
| HDMI 1.3a | Not dated on hdmi.org | Available free of charge on hdmi.org | Downloadable reference |
| HDMI 1.4b | Not dated on hdmi.org | 4096×2160 at 24 Hz, 3840×2160 at 24, 25 and 30 Hz, 1920×1080 at 120 Hz, HDMI Ethernet Channel, ARC, 3D, Content Type, Micro connector, Automotive Connection System | Licensed by HDMI LA for the Founders; still referenced by HDMI 2.2 |
| HDMI 2.1 | Released November 2017 (HDMI LA) | Up to 48 Gbps with the Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, 8K@60 and 4K@120; Amendment 1 added HDMI Cable Power | Superseded by 2.2 |
| HDMI 2.1b | Not dated in the sources used | Last 2.1 revision | Deprecated and replaced by 2.2 (Forum FAQ) |
| HDMI 2.2 | Announced January 6, 2025; released June 25, 2025 | Up to 96 Gbps, next-generation Fixed Rate Link (FRL), up to 12K@120 and 16K@60, uncompressed 8K@60/4:4:4 and 4K@240/4:4:4 at 10-bit and 12-bit, Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), Ultra96 cable and feature name | Current |
The Forum FAQ states that HDMI 2.2 supersedes HDMI 2.1 and continues to reference and rely on HDMI 1.4b, and that backward compatibility has always been an essential feature. The HDMI 2.2 overview on hdmi.org also lists the features carried forward: Dynamic HDR, Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM), eARC, the gaming features VRR, ALLM, QFT and QMS, and HDMI Cable Power.
What HDMI 2.2 brought
Section titled “What HDMI 2.2 brought”- 96 Gbps and next-generation FRL. The release names higher bandwidth and next-generation Fixed Rate Link technology as the core change.
- Higher formats. Up to 12K@120 and 16K@60; uncompressed full-chroma 8K@60/4:4:4 and 4K@240/4:4:4 at 10-bit and 12-bit.
- Latency Indication Protocol (LIP). Lets source devices determine latency adjustments to improve audio and video synchronization, especially across multiple hops such as an AV receiver or soundbar.
- Ultra96. A new cable and a new product feature name (next section).
- Access. HDMI LA states that the 2.2 Specification is available to all HDMI 2.1 Adopters through the Adopter Extranet.
eARC and HDMI Cable Power, as hdmi.org describes them
Section titled “eARC and HDMI Cable Power, as hdmi.org describes them”- eARC supports high-bitrate audio up to 192 kHz and 24-bit, uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1, 32-channel uncompressed audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos. It sends audio from the TV to an AV receiver or soundbar over a single HDMI cable.
- HDMI Cable Power, added by HDMI 2.1 Amendment 1, lets an active HDMI cable draw power from the HDMI connector, provided both the cable and the source support the feature. Active cables are directional (one end is labelled for the source). HDMI LA notes that active, powered cables are likely to be the only way to meet Ultra High Speed requirements beyond a few metres, and that such cables include a separate power connector (typically USB Micro-B or USB Type-C) for sources without the feature.
Cables: official names and certification programmes
Section titled “Cables: official names and certification programmes”Official cable names
Section titled “Official cable names”HDMI LA requires every HDMI cable to be labelled with its official cable name on the jacket, and the package to show the cable name logo and/or the applicable certification label. The cable overview lists these names:
| Official cable name | Capability stated by HDMI LA | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra96 HDMI Cable | Up to 96 Gbps, all HDMI 2.2 features, 8K@60/4:4:4 and 4K@240/4:4:4 at 10 and 12-bit | Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program, mandatory, HDMI Forum ATC |
| Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable | Up to 48 Gbps, 8K@60 and 4K@120; introduced in HDMI 2.1, on the market since 2020 | Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program, mandatory, HDMI Forum ATC |
| Premium High Speed HDMI Cable (and with Ethernet) | Up to 18 Gbps, 4K60, HDR, BT.2020, low EMI | Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program, for participating Adopters, HDMI ATC |
| High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet | High Speed plus the HDMI Ethernet Channel | No dedicated label programme |
| High Speed HDMI Cable | Up to 10.2 Gbps, 1080p, 4K@30Hz, 3D, deep colour | No dedicated label programme |
| High Speed Automotive HDMI Cable | Stronger signal for automotive wiring; may use the Type E locking connector | No dedicated label programme |
| Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet | Standard plus the HDMI Ethernet Channel | No dedicated label programme |
| Standard HDMI Cable | 1080i or 720p | No dedicated label programme |
| Standard Automotive HDMI Cable | Automotive variant of Standard | No dedicated label programme |
"No dedicated label programme" means only that hdmi.org shows no separate certification label for that name. The cable is still a licensed product that follows the general testing policy (cable is one of the four product types).
Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program (Ultra96 and Ultra High Speed)
Section titled “Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program (Ultra96 and Ultra High Speed)”- Mandatory. The HDMI Forum announced on January 6, 2020 a mandatory certification programme for all Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, administered by HDMI LA. HDMI 2.2 placed the Ultra96 HDMI Cable in the same programme, which hdmi.org now calls the Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program.
- Every model, every length, at a Forum ATC. All Ultra96 and Ultra High Speed cable models must pass certification testing at an HDMI Forum ATC; the 2025 release says each model length is tested and certified. Testing includes EMI, to reduce interference with wireless networks, Bluetooth devices and mobile phones.
- Label on each package or unit of sale, carrying the official cable name logo and scannable with standard QR code apps. An optional Verification Banner lets resellers show the same verification online.
- Market audits. HDMI LA buys certified cables in stores and online and sends them to Forum ATCs. If a cable fails, the Adopter can correct the manufacturing issue; otherwise no further certification labels can be ordered for that cable.
The Ultra96 feature name for products
Section titled “The Ultra96 feature name for products”Ultra96 is not only a cable. HDMI LA encourages manufacturers to use the "Ultra96" feature name on products that support a maximum of 64 Gbps, 80 Gbps or 96 Gbps under HDMI 2.2, on ports, specification sheets, user guides, on-screen displays, marketing or packaging. Products that display the Ultra96 feature name require the Ultra96 HDMI Cable for their maximum bandwidth to be supported. The Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable remains applicable to system configurations up to 48 Gbps.
Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program
Section titled “Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program”The Premium programme is a special certification for High Speed HDMI Cables, open to Adopters who sign up and qualify. It:
- tests cables for the full 18 Gbps bandwidth plus an EMI test;
- requires every length of every model line to be tested at an official HDMI ATC;
- audits cables regularly through the product life;
- requires a proprietary anti-counterfeiting label with a unique QR code on each product;
- covers Type A and Type D connectors, converter cables and active optical cables.
Since February 2026 a smaller Premium label is issued; the original size can no longer be ordered, but labels already applied remain valid. The January 2026 trademark guidelines also introduced a preferred logo for Premium HDMI Cables.
Trademark rules and recent programme changes
Section titled “Trademark rules and recent programme changes”| Date | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 6, 2020 | Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable certification made mandatory, Forum ATC testing, label on each package | Forum press release |
| April 6, 2023 | HDMI Passive Adapter Program released (Implementation Guideline for HDMI Passive Adapter, full HDMI 1.4b feature range) | HDMI LA announcement |
| May 5, 2023 | HDMI Authenticate, an online tool to report suspected counterfeits anonymously | HDMI LA announcement |
| January 6, 2025 | HDMI 2.2 announced at CES, with the Ultra96 HDMI Cable | Forum press release |
| June 25, 2025 | HDMI 2.2 released; Ultra96 feature name introduced | Forum press release |
| January 2, 2026 | Revised Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines (ATLUG): port logo rotation, new trademark notice option, preferred Premium cable logo | HDMI LA announcement |
| February 2026 | Smaller Premium HDMI Cable label; original size can no longer be ordered | Premium programme page |
The ATLUG applies to all product models newly shipped after 18 months from its release, together with packaging, marketing and instructional materials. For the January 2, 2026 revision, HDMI LA asks Adopters to share the update with their resellers and distributors. The trademark disclaimer must appear in press releases, articles, web pages, product manuals and packages where the HDMI marks are used.
HDCP is a separate licence
Section titled “HDCP is a separate licence”High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a specification developed by Intel Corporation and licensed by Digital Content Protection, LLC (DCP), which DCP describes as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intel. Nothing in the HDMI Adopter Agreement grants HDCP rights or device keys. DCP publishes its own documents, including the HDCP 2.3 on HDMI Specification (dated February 28, 2018), its errata, and an HDCP 2.3 on HDMI Compliance Test Specification (dated October 20, 2018).
| Question | HDMI LA | DCP |
|---|---|---|
| Licenses the HDMI Specification and marks | Yes | No |
| Licenses HDCP | No | Yes |
| Issues HDCP device keys | No | Yes (Device Key Sets with a Key Selection Vector) |
| Has its own CTS | HDMI CTS (written by the Forum) | HDCP CTS |
An HDMI product that will carry protected content therefore needs two licences, from two organisations, with two test regimes.
Claims the texts contradict
Section titled “Claims the texts contradict”| Common claim (including this page before October 2026) | What the source says |
|---|---|
| "HDMI LA is HDMI Licensing Administrator, LLC." | The licensing agent is HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. (every hdmi.org page footer, press releases since 2019). |
| "Self-testing is not accepted; every product must be tested at an ATC." | The Adopter self-tests against the CTS, then submits the first product of each type (source, sink, repeater, cable) to an ATC; later products of that type do not have to go (HDMI LA testing policy). Ultra and Premium cables are tested at an ATC for every model. |
| "HDMI LA issues a certificate for each certified product." | The texts describe an Adopter certificate issued each year to confirm licence status, and certification labels for cables. They describe no per-product certificate for devices. |
| "The HDMI Forum does not run any certification." | The Forum authorizes HDMI Forum ATCs for HDMI 2.x compliance testing and mandated the Ultra High Speed cable programme in 2020; its mission includes writing the CTS. |
| "There are five cable categories and three cable programmes, each mandatory." | hdmi.org lists nine official cable names. Ultra96 and Ultra High Speed share one mandatory Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program; the Premium programme is for participating Adopters. |
| "HDMI 2.2 reaches 4K 240 Hz, 8K 120 Hz and 12K 60 Hz." | The release states up to 12K@120 and 16K@60, with uncompressed 8K@60/4:4:4 and 4K@240/4:4:4 at 10 and 12-bit. |
| "Ultra96 is a cable category." | Ultra96 is also a product feature name for 64, 80 or 96 Gbps support under HDMI 2.2, which requires the Ultra96 HDMI Cable. |
| "HDMI 2.1b is the current version to certify against." | The Forum FAQ says 2.1b is deprecated and replaced by 2.2; all products must comply with Version 2.2 and the current CTS. |
| "eARC carries uncompressed audio up to 7.1 channels." | hdmi.org lists uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 and 32-channel uncompressed audio. |
| "ATCs are spread across North America, Europe and Asia." | All listings on hdmi.org on October 7, 2026 are in mainland China, Taiwan, Japan or South Korea. |
| "A licensed module or chipset makes the end product licensed." | The manufacturer of the finished end-user product must be an Adopter, and the product must itself meet the Adopter Agreement (HDMI LA definition of licensed products). |
| "Licensing HDMI 2.x costs an extra annual fee." | No additional annual fee for the 2.x addendum (Forum FAQ). |
Common pitfalls
Section titled “Common pitfalls”- Relying on the supplier licence. A licensed HDMI chipset, module or board does not license your product. Check that your company is an Adopter (or EDL licensee) before the first shipment, and use the Enforcement Search Tool to check suppliers.
- Forgetting the 2.x addendum. Signing the base Adopter Agreement covers HDMI 1.4b. Using HDMI 2.2 needs the addendum.
- Skipping the first ATC submission for a new product type. A company whose television passed ATC testing still has to submit its first repeater or first source.
- Shipping an unlabelled Ultra cable in the box. Any Ultra High Speed or Ultra96 cable must carry the certification label on its package or unit of sale.
- Using "Ultra96" on a 48 Gbps product. The feature name is for 64, 80 or 96 Gbps support under HDMI 2.2.
- Leaving packaging on old trademark guidelines. The January 2, 2026 ATLUG applies to models newly shipped after 18 months.
- Treating HDCP as included. HDCP is a second licence from DCP, with its own keys and CTS.
- Treating a high-speed interface as an EMC formality. The HDMI CTS does not cover EMC. A product with fast HDMI links still has to pass EN 55032 emissions; see the PCB design for EMC guide and CE tests.
Relationship with CE marking and FCC
Section titled “Relationship with CE marking and FCC”HDMI LA states that compliance testing is limited to evaluating conformance to the HDMI Specification. Neither the Forum nor HDMI LA is a public authority, and a licensed HDMI product still has to meet every regulation for its category. In the European Union this means the EMC Directive (2014/30/UE) through EN 55032 emissions and EN 55035 immunity (see EMC in the glossary), the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/UE), for which the edition of EN 62368-1 cited in the Official Journal is EN 62368-1:2014 + AC:2015, the RoHS Directive (2011/65/UE), and the RED if the product contains a radio (see the RED pillar). See the CE marking pillar and harmonised CE standards. In the United States, FCC Part 15 subpart B applies to unintentional radiators.
Services and support
Section titled “Services and support”See also
Section titled “See also”- DLNA and OCF: media + IoT interoperability
- NFC Forum certification: CR15, device classes, fees
- USB-IF: USB-C, USB4 and USB Power Delivery certification
- Wi-Fi Alliance: interoperability + Wi-Fi brand
- Zigbee + CSA: certification of the 802.15.4 mesh protocol
- Wi-SUN Alliance: IPv6 mesh sub-GHz certification
- KNX, DALI-2 and EnOcean certification
- Multi-marking layouts on labels and packaging
See also the glossary, the guide USB-IF and USB-C certification for a related consortium programme on interfaces, and harmonised CE standards for the regulatory framework applicable in parallel.
Sources & references
- HDMI Adopter: licence benefits and the four-step process, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/adopter
- Become an HDMI Adopter: registration form and annual fee options, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/register/adopterregister
- Testing Policies (self-testing and ATC submission), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/resource/testing
- Authorized Test Centers (HDMI ATC and HDMI Forum ATC list), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/adopter/atcs
- Enforcement Search Tool and definition of HDMI Licensed Products, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/adopter/enforcement
- Embedded Device License Agreement (EDL), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/adopter/embedded
- HDMI Founders, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/adopter/founders
- HDMI 2.2 Specification technology overview, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/spec/hdmi2_1
- HDMI Forum releases Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification, press release, June 25, 2025, HDMI Forum / HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/download/pressFileId/153
- HDMI Forum announces Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification, press release, January 6, 2025, HDMI Forum / HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/download/pressFileId/146
- New Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable Certification Program, press release, January 6, 2020, HDMI Forum / HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/download/pressFileId/104
- Products enabled with the HDMI 2.1 Specification, press release, January 7, 2019, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/download/pressFileId/90
- Ultra96 HDMI Cable and Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable (Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/spec2sub/ultrahdmicables
- Ultra96 feature name, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/spec2sub/ultra96
- Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/spec/premiumcable
- HDMI cable overview (official cable names), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/resource/cables
- HDMI 1.4b Specification features, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/spec/hdmi1_4b
- Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/spec2sub/enhancedaudioreturnchannel
- HDMI Cable Power (HDMI 2.1 Amendment 1), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/spec2sub/cablepower
- Revision to the Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines, January 2, 2026, HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/announce/detail/185
- HDMI announcements (Passive Adapter Program, HDMI Authenticate), HDMI LA www.hdmi.org/announce/index
- HDMI Forum FAQ (creation in 2011, 2.2 licensing, 2.1b deprecated, fees), HDMI Forum hdmiforum.org/about/faq/
- HDMI Forum specifications page (implementation and testing), HDMI Forum hdmiforum.org/specifications/
- Join the HDMI Forum (membership dues), HDMI Forum hdmiforum.org/join-us/
- About DCP (Digital Content Protection, LLC), DCP LLC www.digital-cp.com/about_dcp
- HDCP specifications (HDCP 2.3 on HDMI), DCP LLC www.digital-cp.com/hdcp-specifications
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between the HDMI Forum and HDMI LA?
- HDMI Forum, Inc. is the non-profit, mutual benefit corporation created by the HDMI Founders in October 2011 to develop new versions of the HDMI Specification and the Compliance Test Specification. HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. (HDMI LA) is the agent appointed by the Forum to license Version 2.2, and by the Founders to license earlier versions. It signs the Adopter Agreement, collects fees and royalties, owns the trademarks and runs the cable certification labels.
- Is an HDMI Adopter Agreement required to ship a product with an HDMI port?
- Yes. HDMI LA states that the manufacturer of the finished end-user product must itself be a licensed HDMI Adopter, even when every HDMI component inside it comes from a licensed supplier. To use HDMI 2.2, the Adopter also signs the HDMI 2.x Adopter Addendum. The Forum FAQ says the addendum carries no additional annual fee.
- How much does the HDMI Adopter Agreement cost?
- The HDMI LA registration form offers end-product manufacturers two options: a fixed annual licence fee of USD 10,000 plus royalty, or USD 5,000 a year plus a USD 1.00 administration fee per licensed product plus royalty. The royalty rates themselves are not published on the public site. HDMI LA states that compliant use of the HDMI logo can earn a royalty discount.
- Must every HDMI product be tested at an Authorized Test Center?
- No. The HDMI LA testing policy requires each Adopter to self-test a representative sample against the current Compliance Test Specification, then to submit the first product of each type (source, sink, repeater or cable) to an ATC. Once one product of a type has passed, later products of that type do not have to go to an ATC. Cables in the Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program are the exception: every model must pass at an HDMI Forum ATC.
- What is Ultra96?
- Two things. Ultra96 HDMI Cable is the cable introduced with HDMI 2.2, supporting up to 96 Gbps. Ultra96 is also a feature name that manufacturers are encouraged to use on products supporting a maximum of 64, 80 or 96 Gbps under HDMI 2.2. A product that displays the Ultra96 feature name requires the Ultra96 HDMI Cable.
- Which HDMI cable certifications are mandatory?
- The Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program, which covers both the Ultra96 HDMI Cable and the Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, is mandatory: every model is tested at an HDMI Forum ATC and carries a certification label with a QR code. The Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program is a special certification for High Speed HDMI Cables that Adopters join voluntarily; participants test every length of every model line at an ATC and apply an anti-counterfeiting label.
- Is HDCP managed by HDMI LA?
- No. HDCP is licensed by Digital Content Protection, LLC (DCP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intel Corporation. DCP publishes the HDCP 2.3 on HDMI specification (dated February 28, 2018) and its own HDCP Compliance Test Specification. An HDMI Adopter Agreement gives no right to HDCP keys.
- Does HDMI compliance testing cover CE or FCC requirements?
- No. HDMI LA states that compliance testing is limited to conformance with the HDMI Specification. EU EMC (EN 55032, EN 55035), LVD safety (EN 62368-1) and, in the United States, FCC Part 15 subpart B are separate obligations that still apply to the product.