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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : MM and the SD Card Association fees...

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Grogster

Admin Group

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9596
Posted: 10:16pm 13 Feb 2013
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When I was investigating using an SD card in one of my products, I found out that the royalties you have to pay to the SD Card Association are so huge(about ten grand), as to make it impossible to use an SD card at all, and I elected to use EEPROM chips instead.

How does the MM get around this problem?

Surely Geoff did not pay ten grand to the SD Card Association as part of the MM development....

Perhaps it is not a problem at all.
Perhaps I have it all wrong?
I hope so.

It was my understanding that ANYONE who uses ANY SD card ability or derivative of(such as uSD cards) in their product, has to pay this reach-around to the SD Card Association, otherwise, they can be sued into the ground.

This only applies to something you are selling, which uses SD card technology.
Everyday users don't have to worry, as they are just using the technology.

Sellers, on the other hand........

Comments?
Edited by Grogster 2013-02-15
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
djuqa

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Joined: 23/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 447
Posted: 10:26pm 13 Feb 2013
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Just checked the SD Card Website
Usage of the cards requires a Host and Ancillary Product License agreement yes.
But the license to use the cards is ROYALTY-FREE

There is only fees if you MAKE SD Cards or use their patents in designing your own Memory Cards or using the patented access methods other than SPi.
Edited by djuqa 2013-02-15
VK4MU MicroController Units
 
Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9596
Posted: 10:43pm 13 Feb 2013
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Ahhhhhhh - OK, I see.

Looks like I did have that wrong then.
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
JohnS
Guru

Joined: 18/11/2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4038
Posted: 05:47am 14 Feb 2013
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I bet every Chinese/Korean/etc firm paid it and that's why the cards are all 100% compatible.

Oh, wait a minute, they're NOT.

Says it all. What a stupid, discriminatory idea, unenforceable in various legal jurisdictions.

Reminds me of the MPAA idiots.

John
 
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