API Adopter Program
If your company is developing a product that implements a Khronos API standard then it must pass conformance tests defined by Khronos before you can use the name or logo of the standard in association with your product or call your product ‘compliant’ or ‘conformant’ with that Khronos specification. This helps to ensure that Khronos standards are consistently implemented by multiple vendors to create a reliable platform for developers.
To enable companies to test their products for conformance, Khronos has established an Adopters Program for each standard. All Adopters sign the Khronos Adopters Agreement and pay a one-time fee for that particular version of an API. A company does not have to be a member of Khronos in order to become an Adopter.
Conformance Process
Once the company becomes an Adopter, they download the conformance test(s), run the tests, then upload the results. The Khronos Group Conformance Process Document contains details about the process and fees, what products are covered by a submission, how to update products submissions, and what happens if issues are found with your submission, etc.
Benefits of Becoming an Adopter
Becoming an Adopter of a Khronos standard gives you access to the Khronos Conformance Testing Process:
- Download the source of the Khronos conformance tests to port and run on your implementation.
- Access the Adopters Mailing list; a priority channel for two-way interaction with Khronos Members who can offer assistance on running tests.
- Upload generated test results for Working Group review and approval to become officially conformant.
- Submit an unlimited number of products for that version of the standard (and earlier versions as indicated in the pricing table below).
Once your implementation test results have been approved and your implementation is conformant, you gain the following significant benefits:
- Advertise the implementation as being conformant and use the API name and logo in association with its packaging and promotion.
- The implementation is covered by the Khronos Intellectual Property Framework – which means Khronos members grant you a license to use essential patents they own and that you use in your implementation.
- The implementation will be included on the Khronos Conformant Products listings, which is accessed by users looking for Khronos-compliant products.
The Khronos Trademark Guidelines provide more details about precisely how and when Khronos trademarks can be used by Adopters during the development and conformance process. When you use Khronos trademarks you must follow the Khronos Trademark Usage Guidelines.
| Adopter | Implementer | |
|---|---|---|
| Develop Products | ||
| Access to the public Khronos Specifications, documentation and support files | ||
| Develop license-free, royalty-free products using Khronos Technologies | ||
| Conformance Testing | ||
| Access to Adopter mailing list | ||
| Formal Review Process | ||
|
Submit products to the conformance process
(Must sign Adopter agreement and pay Adopter fee) |
||
|
Conformant Product can use API Trademark
(Must pass conformance tests) |
||
| Marketing | ||
| Opportunity to mention products and be quoted in Khronos press releases, articles, and newsletters | ||
| Company logo and description on Khronos web site | ||
Who Should Become an Adopter
- Companies must become an Adopter if they have implemented a Khronos API standard, either as a standalone product or integrated into a larger product, and they wish to use the standard’s trademarked name and logo in association with that implementation, and enjoy the protections of the Khronos IP Framework.
- For a company that integrates an implementation of a Khronos Standard from a third party, for example drivers for an SOC processor that is used within a mobile device, if it is a reasonable expectation that the integration needs testing to verify the API’s correct operation, then the integrating company must become an Adopter and submit test results to enjoy the above Adopter privileges for their product.
Software developers are free to use Khronos standards to program software tools, applications, and middleware with no restrictions and no need to become an Adopter.
How to Become an Adopter
There is no requirement to be a Khronos member in order to become an Adopter. To become an Adopter, follow these steps:
DocuSign
- Member and Non-Member companies sign the Adopters Agreement:
- Complete and DocuSign the Khronos Adopters Agreement – ticking the box on the signature page for each standard you wish to adopt.
- Pay the Adopter Fee:
- Khronos Operations will countersign the Adopters Agreement and return for your records along with an invoice for the appropriate Adopter Fees as outlined in the Conformance Process Document and summarized in the table below.
- Once Khronos Operations confirms both Agreement and payment have been received, you will receive a confirmation email and access to the Khronos Adopters area on the website.
- You may then download the conformance tests to run on your implementation and upload the generated conformance results package for Working Group review.
- If the review is successful, the product is considered conformant and may use the trademark.
PDF Version
If you wish to fill out the PDF version of the Khronos Adopters Agreement (instead of DocuSign): Please complete, sign and return the agreement to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by mail to 9450 SW Gemini Drive #45043 Beaverton, OR 97008-6018 USA. A countersigned agreement and invoice with payment instructions will be provided upon receipt.
Please feel free to contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with any questions.
API |
API Versions Covered (includes all minor updates and lower versions) |
Members Adopter Fee (USD) |
Non-Members Adopter Fee (USD) |
Applicable Discounts and Discounted Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANARI | Subscription Fee | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
| Renewal Fee | $25,000 | $30,000 | ||
| OpenCL | 1.2 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $1,500 Adopters fee for Khronos Academic Members or accredited academic institutions |
| 3.0 | $25,000 | $30,000 | $1,500 Adopters fee for Khronos Academic Members or accredited academic institutions | |
| OpenGL | 3.2 – 4.5 | $25,000 | $30,000 | No upgrade discount from previous versions |
| 3.2 – 4.6 | $45,000 | $60,000 | No upgrade discount from previous versions | |
| OpenGL ES | 1.1 | $10,000 | $15,000 | Upgrade from OpenGL ES 1.0: discount any paid OpenGL ES 1.0 Fees |
| 1.1 – 2.0 | $14,000 | $19,000 | Upgrade from OpenGL ES 1.0: discount any paid OpenGL ES 1.0 Fees. Upgrade from OpenGL ES 1.1: $6K discount | |
| 1.1 – 3.0 | $25,000 | $30,000 | Upgrade from OpenGL ES 2.0: $5K discount | |
| 1.1 – 3.2 | $25,000 | $30,000 | Upgrade from OpenGL ES 3.0: $5K discount | |
| OpenGL SC | 1.0 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
| 2.0 | $30,000 | $40,000 | ||
| OpenVG | 1.1 | $10,000 | $15,000 | Upgrade from OpenVG 1.0: $5K discount |
| 1.1 Lite | $10,000 | $15,000 | Upgrade from OpenVG 1.1: $5K discount |
|
| OpenVX | 1.1.X, 1.2.X and 1.3.X | $20,000 | $30,000 | |
| OpenXR | Subscription Fee if paid after 2025/04/30 and Adopter's Subscription is not current |
$35,000 | $45,000 | as of 2024/04/01 |
| Renewal Fee Prior and New Adopters may use the Renewal Fee as their Initial Subscription Fee until 2025/04/30 or 1-year after their pre-V30 Adopters Fee payment date |
$25,000 | $30,000 | as of 2024/04/01 | |
| SYCL | 1.2.1 | $15,000 | $20,000 | Includes minor specification updates. Academic Member or Academic Adopter Base Fee |
| 2020 | $30,000 | $40,000 | Includes minor specification updates. Academic Member or Academic Adopter Base Fee |
|
| Vulkan | Subscription Fee if paid before 2025/01/26 |
$70,000 | $90,000 | |
| Subscription Fee if paid on or after 2025/01/26 |
$95,000 | $120,000 | ||
| Renewal Fee for Adopters whose upcoming Expiration Date is before 2025/01/26 |
$45,000 | $55,000 | ||
| Renewal Fee for Adopters whose upcoming Expiration Date is on or after 2025/01/26 |
$60,000 | $75,000 | ||
| Vulkan SC | Subscription Fee if paid before 2025/01/01 |
$60,000 | $80,000 | as of 2024/03/30 |
| Subscription Fee if paid on or after 2025/01/01 |
$95,000 | $120,000 | as of 2024/03/30 | |
| Renewal Fee if paid before 2025/01/01 |
$45,000 | $55,000 | as of 2024/03/30 | |
| Renewal Fee if paid on or after 2025/01/01 |
$60,000 | $75,000 | as of 2024/03/30 | |
| WebGL | 2.0 | $0 | $0 |
Third Party Conformance Submissions
For companies that implement a Khronos standard but do not wish to port and execute the conformance tests themselves, there is the option of using a third-party company to perform and file conformance on your behalf. Such a company is known as a Contracting Adopter. A Contracting Adopter needs to file the Attachment B of the Adopters Agreement to be able to file on behalf of the Adopter. There are companies which have received pre-approval to file conformance on behalf of other companies. Approval of a Contracting Adopter by Khronos in no way implies that Khronos warranties their work or guarantees the acceptance of conformance tests submitted by the Contracting Adopter.
List of third parties available to perform conformance submissions on behalf of your company.