The following examples illustrate situations where organizations need to become an MHL adopter. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. We recommend that each organization with questions about how MHL licensing may apply to its situation conduct a legal review of the MHL Adopters Agreement. If you do not have a copy of the MHL Adopters Agreement you can obtain a copy by submitting your details here. http://www.mhltech.org/adopter.aspx
Example 1 – Sub-contractors used for design and manufacture of branded MHL product, component, or IP core
Company A has a product designed and manufactured by subcontractor B and then sells it under a brand that they have the rights to use (i.e. via ownership or license).
In this case company A must become an MHL adopter. Company A may, subject to certain limitations, provide company B with a sublicense that avoids the need for company B to become an adopter as a result of the activities it performs for company A.
Example 2 – Branded MHL product, component, or IP core sold through resellers and distributors
Company A designs and manufactures a product under a brand that they have right to use (i.e via ownership or license). This product then is sold through reseller B and distributor C neither of whom add their own brand to the product, packaging or marketing materials. In this case, company A must become an adopter. Company A can provide a sublicense to reseller B and distributor C to avoid the need for them to become adopters as a result of the activities that they perform for company A.
Example 3 – Subcontractor acts as both OEM and Subcontractor
Company A designs and manufactures an MHL product. It sells this product both under its own brand and also to company B that sells the product under a brand that company B owns. In this case both company A and B must become Adopters.
Example 4 – Company A sells branded MHL product, component, or IP core using brand-A sub-licensed from company B
Company A sublicenses a brand from company B that they apply to an MHL product, component, or IP core. In this case company A must become an adopter. Whether company B needs to be an adopter would depend whether it wants to design, manufacture, sell or distribute a branded MHL product, component, or IP core.