SD technology has already been adopted by many companies, and is built into numerous electronic products, wireless communications and digital image processing / networking products. When using the technologies, License Agreements with SD-3C LLC and third parties may be required in addition to a Membership Agreement and License Agreement with the SD Association.

List of Agreements relating to SD technology

Abbreviation [Official name] Licensor(s) Description / Target
SDAMA
[SD Association Membership Agreement]		 SD Association
  • An agreement for becoming a member of the SD Association
  • For the manufacture of SD host products, SD memory cards, combination cards, and SDIO cards with flash memory or SD ancillary products.
SDALA
[SD Association License Agreement]		 SD Association
  • A license agreement to use the SD standards
  • For the manufacture of SD host products, SD memory cards, combination cards, and SDIO cards with flash memory or SD ancillary products.
  • No additional fee for SDA Members.
HALA
[SD Host/Ancillary Product License Agreement]		 SD-3C
LLC
  • In order to manufacture and sell Host/Ancillary Products, a prospective licensee may obtain the rights to the essential patents, trademarks, copyrights and design patents from one source by executing the SD Host/Ancillary Products License Agreement (“HALA”) with SD-3C LLC.
CLA
[Card License Agreement]		 SD-3C
LLC
  • In order to manufacture and sell SD Memory Cards, a prospective licensee may obtain the rights to the essential patents, trademarks, copyrights and design patents from one source by executing the SD Memory Card License Agreement (“CLA”).
CPRM/CPPM
[CPRM/CPPM License Agreement*]		 4C Entity, LLC
  • A license agreement to use the CPRM/CPPM standards
  • For manufacturers of SD memory cards and/or host products which use CPRM or CPPM or both.

Only obtainable from 4C Entity, LLC

Overview of Licensing Process

*Please note: The SD-3C CLA is available for the convenience of licensees, it is not mandatory to enter a CLA if the essential patent rights and other IP rights are obtained from each patent and IP holder.

Scope of the License Agreement

Licensor SD Association SD-3C LLC
Specifications SD Association specifications SD Group specifications
SD Association pictograph SD Logos and Trademarks
Required patents
Cards SDAMA (SD Association Membership Agreement) SDALA (SD Association License Agreement) Card License Agreement (CLA)
Host devices SD Host and Ancillary Product License Agreement (HALA)