HDCP, or High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, is a digital copy protection standard designed to prevent unauthorized copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections like HDMI or DisplayPort. It ensures that only authorized devices can receive and display protected content, helping to safeguard movies, TV shows, and other media from piracy. Developed by Intel in the early 2000s, HDCP works by encrypting the data sent between devices, such as a Blu-ray player and a TV. If a device does not support HDCP, it may not display the content, which encourages consumers to use compliant equipment for a seamless viewing experience.