What type of content does HDCP specifically protect?

HDCP, or High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, is a digital copy protection method developed to prevent unauthorized copying and transmission of high-definition content. Its primary focus is to protect copyrighted material, which encompasses a wide range of content, such as movies, television shows, and other media that are subject to copyright laws.

By encrypting the data stream between devices, HDCP ensures that the content cannot be easily intercepted, pirated, or reproduced illegally. This protection is particularly crucial in environments where digital content is transmitted, such as in home entertainment systems, streaming services, and in scenarios involving digital broadcasting.

While HDCP does concern itself with audio and video content, its broader purpose is to guard against the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works, making the choice of copyrighted material the most accurate description of the content HDCP specifically aims to protect.