What type of content does HDCP primarily protect?

HDCP, which stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, is primarily designed to protect digital video content during transmission over interfaces like HDMI and DVI. Its main purpose is to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of digital content, such as movies and television shows, ensuring that only authorized devices can receive and play the protected material.

The technology works by encrypting the digital signal, so that if an unauthorized user attempts to intercept the content, it cannot be properly decoded and displayed. This level of protection is critical for content creators and distributors in the film and television industries, as it helps to safeguard their intellectual property from piracy.

Other types of content, such as audio recordings, printed media, or software applications, do not fall under the primary scope of HDCP because they are governed by different types of copyright protection mechanisms that are tailored to those specific formats and methods of distribution.