DisplayPort-HDMI Cables May Be Discontinued Due to License Violation

HDMI LLC, which oversees HDMI specifications and complying with applicable licenses, has officially confirmed that some of the Mini DisplayPort-HDMI adapters sold are illegal and may be seized .

The essence of the claims is that each HDMI cable under license must have only HDMI connectors on both sides. If there are no such connectors on one side, or some other connectors are present there, then the device does not meet the specifications.

Potential violators of the license seem to include Belkin Apple mini-DisplayPort-HDMI cables, which are soldon the Apple website. Similar cables are manufactured by Dell and other vendors. However, Belkin rejects the allegations on the grounds that the devices are not cables, but devices with an internal controller, so Mini DisplayPort is legally compatible in this case.

Apparently, HDMI LLC is not so much trying to withdraw “inappropriate” cables from the market, but rather wants to receive additional license fees. However, it may come to a recall.