The source and the sink need a HDCP-licence. Both devices have embbed keys that get exchanged to estabish a encrypted channel. Without the licence you can't get the required key material.
AFAIK, you can even sell HDMI devices without HDCP. Practically though, every entertainment device needs HDCP support.
alt Hacker News
Yes, HDCP is seperate from HDMI and DP.
The source and the sink need a HDCP-licence. Both devices have embbed keys that get exchanged to estabish a encrypted channel. Without the licence you can't get the required key material.
AFAIK, you can even sell HDMI devices without HDCP. Practically though, every entertainment device needs HDCP support.