HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia interface. They charge $10,000 royalties annually to those implementing their technology of the Adopter Agreement. Any company that uses their adopter has to pay the annual fee on time, even if they are a small-volume manufacturer.
HDMI has a stack of rules and regulations for the use of their technology. HDMI has become the global connectivity standard for HDTV and the consumer electronics industry. It is the first and only digital interface to combine uncompressed HD video, multi-channel surround audio, and intelligent command data into a single connection. For the customer, it makes connecting HD devices dramatically simpler, while providing consistent and high-performance delivery of all the latest product features.
The HDMI standard has been adopted by thousands of manufacturers worldwide, and has been built into hundreds of millions of consumer products - not just home theater components but also PCs and PC peripherals, mobile devices, automotive systems, and a lot more.