Aspiring VR developers take note, Valve has just recently launched a new program that would let other companies use the HTC Vive’s virtual reality tracking system for their own hardware without needing to pay royalties.
The SteamVR Tracking license would allow product designers to buy sensors like those on the Vive headset and controllers, and attach them to their own products. These products can then be tracked with the Vive’s base stations. The best part of all this is that Valve isn’t attaching any licensing fees to its system, meaning that royalty fees aren’t part of the equation when you use them to construct a custom motion controller for the Vive.
While there won’t be any royalty fees, you do need to participate in the program in order to acquire these sensors. Companies who are interested in using said technology must send at least one person to a USD3,000 training course held in Seattle, with the first of these courses being held in mid-September. Companies are also required to abide by the terms of the licenses, but the products manufactured by them would not require Valve’s approval before being sold in the market.
Source: Steamworks, The Verge