NFC Forum

Membership Benefits

The Near Field Communication Forum is leading the way to a world of secure universal commerce and connectivity. Formed in 2004 to advance the use of Near Field Communication technology by developing specifications, ensuring interoperability among devices and services, and educating the market about NFC technology, the Forum now has 160+ members.

Members receive many benefits, and the Forum welcomes participation from all organizations – for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, and industry associations with compatible technical interests – to further the mission of the NFC Forum.

The NFC Forum offers five membership levels, with a variety of benefits, privileges and annual dues designed to match each organization’s interests and market requirements.

Benefit and Privileges for All Members

Membership in the NFC Forum brings many benefits. A variety of membership options are tailored to meet the wide range of needs of the NFC SIG members.

All members receive these benefits:

• Access to the NFC Forum Members Community Web site
• One copy of all published Forum specifications without charge
• Attendance at plenary meetings of the forum
• Ability to participate in Plugfests (currently open only to members)
• Ability to participate in the NFC Forum Certification Program (open only to members)
• Access to Forum research, technical information, and other resources
• Opportunities for peer-to-peer collaboration
• Your company name, logo and press releases cited on the Forum Web site
• Use of the NFC Forum logo on your Website to indicate membership
• Participate in product interoperability testing and Certification Program
• Participate in NFC Forum Plugfests

Sponsor Member Benefits and Privileges

Sponsor Members (annual dues $50,000) are those committed and involved companies seeking the most influence over the future of the NFC Forum and its deliverables. Sponsors are also entitled to:

• A Board of Directors seat
• Designate individuals to run for position as officer of the corporation
• Appoint a voting representative to the Technical, SIG and Compliance Committees
• Appoint a voting representative to each Working Group
• Designate individuals to run for a position leading a Committee or Working Group
• Propose initiatives and contribute to the development of Forum deliverables
• Unlimited participants at discount rates at face-to-face meetings
• Participate in NFC Forum testing and Certification Program via own in-house test labs

Note that the total number of Sponsor Members is currently limited to 17. To ensure balance across regions and sectors, Sponsor Member applications undergo review by the Board before acceptance.

Principal Member Benefits and Privileges

Principal Members (annual dues $25,000), companies seeking a strategic level of participation and influence, are entitled to:

• Appoint a voting representative to the Technical, SIG and Compliance Committees
• Appoint a voting representative to each Working Group
• Designate individuals to run for a position leading a Committee or Working Group
• Propose initiatives and contribute to the development of Forum deliverables
• Unlimited participants at discount rates at face-to-face meetings
• Participate in NFC Forum testing and Certification Program via own in-house test labs

Associate Member Benefits and Privileges

Associate Members (annual dues $10,000) monitor NFC Forum activities and are entitled to:

• Participate as non-voting representatives in Working Groups
• Receive deliverables, but do not influence the Forum’s technical direction
• Designate individuals to run for a position leading a Working Group
• Receive notification of and comment on proposed new Working Groups
• 2 participants at discount rates at face-to-face meetings (effective October 2009)

Implementer Member Benefits and Privileges

Implementer Members (annual dues $5,000) monitor NFC Forum ecosystem activities and are entitled to:

• Access to the NFC Forum website (excluding Technical and Compliance Committee areas)
• Participate in SIG Committee Working Groups
• Attend Plenary meetings and SIG Committee Working Group and Task Force meetings
• Access to final draft specifications during all member review after Technical Committee approval
• Participate at member rates in NFC Forum SIG-related events
• 1 participant at a discount rate at face-to-face meetings

Non-profit Member Benefits and Privileges

Non-profit Members (annual dues $1,500) receive the same benefits as Associate Members, except they receive only one participant at a discount rate at face-to-face meetings (effective October 2009).

In order to join the NFC Forum as a Non-Profit Member, an applicant must be organized as a not-for-profit legal entity pursuant to applicable law and must provide the NFC Forum with appropriate evidence of such legal status upon applying for membership.