Purchasing meaning one MUST register with BlueTooth SIG .. WHY ?

[Mark]

Developing IoT product using a module using Nordic nRF52832 - using their Shockburst protocol 

Can ANYONE explain why we would need to be registered with the Bluetooth SIG and be subject to 'royalties '  if ordering such  modules ?

Not using BlueTooth nor mentioning it in advertising / tech specs ? 

[awneil]

So where have you been told that this is necessary?

Maybe your source just assumed that you would be using BLE ... ?

[Mark]

Thanks for taking the time to respond..

Our preferred Distie told us that..

As you seem confident that you  know different, I would be grateful to a link to something in writing to that effect.

Thanks, in anticipation

Mark

[awneil]

Not confident - just, like you, doubtful.

Your disti should be able to justify their claim ...

[Andy]

A long time ago I was looking for information about developing products using CAN bus (an automotive messaging protocol). I found out that if you wanted to develop CAN products you needed to pay Bosch a huge fee upfront and royalties of like 1% per piece.

After sometime I realized that this fee is meant to be for other semiconductor manufacturers, so that royalty you pay is kind of already included in the price of the IC. Maybe this is a similar situation where Nordic pays royalties to the Bluetooth SIG and you just have to pay for the price of the IC.

This is just speculation though, but I've never heard of anyone paying Bluetooth SIG any royalties.

[Andy]

Although, the company where I was working before was registered as a member of the Bluetooth SIG, but the company where I work at right now is not. I don't think it's mandatory to be a member. I'll ask around.

[Andy]

Ok, so I was just told that you don't have to be a SIG member as long as your device doesn't communicate with 3rd-party BLE-enabled devices. Apparently you do need the membership otherwise.

In any case, I didn't find anything about royalties, there's only a product listing fee of $8000 USD (https://www.bluetooth.com/develop-with-bluetooth/join/membership-benefits).

[Mark]

Hi Andy, I'm ( again ) grateful for your time - but did your source give you a clue as to where that info came from ?

Thanks 

[Andy]

Well the info came from the CTO of my company and he oversees certifications, licensing and all those things. I didn’t question his sources haha. 

[Mark]

))

Thanks, Andy !

Got that...