Third-party connectors?

Is there any chance of third-party HDMI or camera connectors coming out? (Or do they exist now?) Or does Apple somehow squash that?

I paid like $7 for the HDMI cord that hooks up my Powerbook to my TV, I'm really flinching at paying $40 for the same thing for my iPad.

I'm guessing the lack of replies means there aren't any available, but does anyone know why? Is the 30-pin connector patented so that nobody butnapple can use it or something? With all the third-party speakers, docks, etc for the iPod contributing to it's ubiquity, youd think apple would welcome third-party iPad accessories.