View source for Adobe Inc.

{{Short description|American multinational software company}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Adobe Inc.
| logo = [[File:Adobe Corporate wordmark.svg|frameless|upright=1.1|class=logo-nobg]]
| logo_caption = Logo since 2024
| image = Adobe World Headquarters.jpg
| image_upright = 1.1
| image_caption = [[Adobe World Headquarters]] in [[San Jose, California]]
| trade_name = Adobe
| former_name = Adobe Systems Incorporated (1982–2018)
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list|{{NASDAQ|ADBE}}|[[Nasdaq-100]] component|[[S&P 100]] component|[[S&P 500]] component}}
| industry = [[Software]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|[[Shantanu Narayen]]<br />([[chairman]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}
| products = {{hlist|[[Adobe Photoshop|Photoshop]] | [[Adobe Acrobat|Acrobat]] | [[Adobe Illustrator|Illustrator]] | [[PDF]] | [[Adobe Lightroom|Lightroom]] | [[Adobe Captivate|Captivate]] | [[Adobe ColdFusion|ColdFusion]] | [[Adobe XD|XD]] | [[Adobe Dreamweaver|Dreamweaver]] | [[Adobe InDesign|InDesign]] | [[Adobe Spark|Spark]] | [[Adobe Premiere Pro|Premiere]] | [[Adobe RoboHelp|RoboHelp]] | [[Adobe FrameMaker|FrameMaker]] | [[Adobe Creative Cloud|Creative Cloud]] | ('''[[List of Adobe software|Full list]]''') }}
| services = [[SaaS]]
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US dollar|23.77 billion|link=yes}}
| revenue_year = 2025
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{US dollar|8.71 billion}}
| income_year = 2025
| net_income = {{increase}} {{US dollar|7.13 billion}}
| net_income_year = 2025
| assets = {{decrease}} {{US dollar|29.50 billion}}
| assets_year = 2025
| equity = {{decrease}} {{US dollar|11.62 billion}}
| equity_year = 2025
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|[[John Warnock]]|[[Charles Geschke]]}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|1982|12}}<br />{{Nowrap|[[Mountain View, California]], U.S.}}
| hq_location = [[Adobe World Headquarters]]
| hq_location_city = [[San Jose, California]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| num_employees = 31,360 (November 2025)
| website = {{URL|https://www.adobe.com/|adobe.com}}
| footnotes = Financials {{as of|2025|11|28|lc=y|df=US}}.<ref name=AR2024>{{cite web |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/796343/000079634326000003/adbe-20251128.htm |title=Adobe Inc. FY 2025 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=January 15, 2026 |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=January 18, 2026}}</ref>
}}

'''Adobe Inc.''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|d|oʊ|b|i|audio=en-us-adobe.ogg}} {{respell|ə-DOH-bee}}), formerly '''Adobe Systems Incorporated''', is an American multinational [[software|computer software]] company based in [[San Jose, California]]. It offers a wide range of programs from web design tools, photo manipulation, and vector creation to video and audio editing, mobile app development, print layout, and animation software.

It has historically specialized in software for the creation and publication of a wide range of content, including graphics, photography, illustration, animation, multimedia/video, motion pictures, and print. Its flagship products include [[Adobe Photoshop]] image editing software; [[Adobe Illustrator]] vector-based illustration software; [[Adobe Acrobat]] and the [[Portable Document Format]] (PDF); and a host of tools primarily for audio-visual content creation, editing, and publishing. Adobe offered a bundled solution of its products named [[Adobe Creative Suite]], which evolved into a subscription-based offering named [[Adobe Creative Cloud]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe kills Creative Suite, goes subscription-only |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/adobe-kills-creative-suite-goes-subscription-only/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> The company also expanded into digital marketing software and in 2021 was considered one of the top global leaders in Customer Experience Management (CXM).<ref>{{Cite web |last=FED |title=The Forrester Wave™: Digital Experience Platforms, Q3 2021 |url=https://www.forrester.com/report/The-Forrester-Wave-Digital-Experience-Platforms-Q3-2021/RES161679 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206211043/https://www.forrester.com/report/The-Forrester-Wave-Digital-Experience-Platforms-Q3-2021/RES161679 |archive-date=2021-12-06 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.forrester.com |language=en}}</ref>

Adobe was founded in December 1982<ref name="fastfacts">{{cite web|date=2021|title=Adobe fast facts|url=https://www.adobe.com/about-adobe/fast-facts.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326033602/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pdfs/fastfacts.pdf|archive-date=March 26, 2009|access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref> by [[John Warnock]] and [[Charles Geschke]], who established the company after leaving [[Xerox PARC]] to develop and sell the [[PostScript]] [[page description language]]. In 1985, [[Apple Computer]] licensed PostScript for use in its [[LaserWriter]] printers, which helped spark the [[desktop publishing]] revolution.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1150845/laserwriter.html| title=Four reasons the LaserWriter mattered| last=Edwards| first=Benj| date=April 27, 2010| publisher=MacWorld| access-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> Adobe later developed animation and multimedia through its acquisition of [[Macromedia]], from which it acquired [[Adobe Flash|Macromedia Flash]]; video editing and compositing software with [[Adobe Premiere]], later known as [[Adobe Premiere Pro]]; [[Low-code development platform|low-code]] web development with [[Adobe Muse]]; and a suite of software for digital marketing management.

{{As of|2022|post=,}} Adobe had more than 26,000 employees worldwide.<ref name="fastfacts"/> Adobe also has major development operations in the United States in [[Newton, Massachusetts|Newton]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Donnelly|first1=Julie|title=Adobe dumps gleaming Waltham digs at a $20M loss|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2013/09/17/adobe-dumps-gleaming-waltham-digs-at.html|access-date=May 17, 2017|work=Boston Business Journal|date=September 17, 2013}}</ref> New York City, [[Arden Hills, Minnesota|Arden Hills]], [[Lehi, Utah|Lehi]], [[Seattle]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] and [[San Francisco]]. It also has major development operations in [[Noida]] and [[Bangalore]] in India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khosla |first=Varuni |date=2017-07-05 |title=India's best companies to work for 2017: Here's why interns love Adobe Systems |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/indias-best-companies-to-work-for-2017-when-motivating-adobe-sytems-doesnt-believe-one-size-fits-all/articleshow/59419113.cms |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The company has long been the dominant tech firm in design and creative software,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Adobe Became One of America's Most Valuable Tech Companies |url=https://www.wsj.com/video/series/the-economics-of/how-adobe-became-one-of-americas-most-valuable-tech-companies/47B3F8AF-94E7-4CE4-93C7-DBFBC8E97384 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-24 |title=The Secret of Adobe's Dominance Position in Design Software |url=https://envzone.com/how-does-adobe-dominate-in-design-software-market-for-a-long-time/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=envzone.com |language=en-US}}</ref> despite attracting criticism for its policies and practices, particularly around Adobe Creative Cloud's switch to subscription-only pricing and its early termination fees for its most promoted Creative Cloud plan, the latter of which attracted a joint civil lawsuit from the [[U.S. Federal Trade Commission]] and the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-19 |title=DOJ sues Adobe for 'hidden' fees that make it 'absurdly' hard to cancel Photoshop |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/doj-ftc-adobe-photoshop-lawsuit-b2564294.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Adobe 1990 logo.svg|right|thumb|Logo of Adobe Systems, 1982–1993]]

=== PostScript (1982–2000) ===
The company was started in John Warnock's garage.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Computer Technology Innovators |last=Rholetter |first=Wylene |publisher=Salem Press |year=2013|isbn=9781429838054|location=Ipswich, MA |pages=104–[108]|chapter=Charles Geschke: Co-founder and co-chairman of Adobe}}</ref> The name of the company, Adobe, comes from [[Adobe Creek (Santa Clara County)|Adobe Creek]] in [[Los Altos, California]], a stream which ran behind Warnock's house.<ref name="fastfacts" /> The creek is named because of [[Adobe|the type of clay]] found there (Adobe being a Spanish word for ''Mudbrick''). Adobe's corporate logo features a stylized "A" and was designed by graphic designer Marva Warnock, John Warnock's wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.famouslogos.net/adobe-logo/|title=Adobe Logo: Design and History|publisher=Famouslogos.net|access-date=July 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022120341/http://www.famouslogos.net/adobe-logo |archive-date=October 22, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Steve Jobs]] attempted to buy the company for $5 million<ref>{{Cite book|title=In the company of giants: candid conversations with the visionaries of the digital world|last=Jager|first=Rama Dev|publisher=McGraw Hill|year=1997|location=New York|pages=105}}</ref> in 1982, but Warnock and Geschke refused. Their investors urged them to work something out with Jobs, so they agreed to sell him shares worth 19 percent of the company. Jobs paid a five-times multiple of their company's valuation at the time, plus a five-year license fee for PostScript, in advance. The purchase and advance made Adobe the first company in the history of Silicon Valley to become profitable in its first year.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Fearless genius : the digital revolution in Silicon Valley, 1985–2000 |url=https://archive.org/details/fearlessgeniusdi0000menu |url-access=registration|last=Menuez|first=Doug|publisher=Atria Books|year=2014|isbn=9781476752730|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/fearlessgeniusdi0000menu/page/45 45]}}</ref>

Warnock and Geschke considered various business options including a copy-service business and a turnkey system for office printing. Then it chose to focus on developing specialized printing software and created the Adobe PostScript page description language.<ref name="vision">{{Cite book |title=Radicals and visionaries |last=Wawro |first=Thaddeus |publisher=Entrepreneur Press |year=2000 |isbn=1891984136 |page=143 |chapter=Charles Geschke & John Warnock: the fathers of desktop publishing}}</ref>

PostScript was the first international standard for computer printing as it included algorithms describing the letter-forms of many languages. Adobe added kanji printer products in 1988.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Fearless genius : the digital revolution in Silicon Valley, 1985–2000 |url=https://archive.org/details/fearlessgeniusdi0000menu|url-access=registration|last=Menuez|first=Doug|publisher=Atria Books |year=2014 |isbn=9781476752730|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/fearlessgeniusdi0000menu/page/51 51]}}</ref> Warnock and Geschke were also able to bolster the credibility of PostScript by connecting with a typesetting manufacturer. They weren't able to work with Compugraphic, but then worked with Linotype to license the Helvetica and Times Roman fonts (through the Linotron 100).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wester |first=Edward |title=Print unchained: fifty years of digital printing, 1950–2000 and beyond: A saga of invention and enterprise |publisher=DRA of Vermont |year=2000 |isbn=9780181467212 |location=West Dover, VT |pages=162 |chapter=Chapter 6: The Eighties: PDLs, Adobe, and John Warnock}}</ref> By 1987, PostScript had become the industry-standard printer language with more than 400 third-party software programs and licensing agreements with 19 printer companies.<ref name="vision" />

Adobe's first products after [[PostScript]] were [[digital font]]s which they released in a proprietary format called [[Type 1 font|Type 1]], worked on by [[Bill Paxton (computer scientist)|Bill Paxton]] after he left Stanford. Apple subsequently developed a competing standard, [[TrueType]], which provided full scalability and precise control of the [[pixel]] pattern created by the font's outlines, and licensed it to [[Microsoft]].

=== Introduction of creative software (1986–1996) ===
Starting in the mid-1980s, Adobe entered the consumer software market, starting with [[Adobe Illustrator]], a [[vector graphics|vector]]-based drawing program for the [[Apple Macintosh]]. Illustrator, which grew out of the firm's in-house font-development software, helped popularize PostScript-enabled laser printers.

By the mid-1990s, Adobe would acquire [[Adobe Photoshop|Photoshop]] from [[John Knoll|John]] and [[Thomas Knoll]], [[Adobe FrameMaker|FrameMaker]] from Frame Technology Corporation, and [[Adobe After Effects|After Effects]] and [[Aldus PageMaker|PageMaker]] from [[Aldus Corporation|Aldus]], as well as develop [[Adobe Premiere Pro|Adobe Premiere]], later known as Premiere Pro, in-house, initially releasing it in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=Adobe Photoshop {{!}} Definition, History, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/Adobe-Photoshop |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe Premiere 1.0 (Mac) |url=https://winworldpc.com/product/adobe-premiere/10-mac |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=WinWorld |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1994-07-15 |title=COMPANY NEWS; ADOBE SYSTEMS REVISES ALDUS ACQUISITION |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/15/business/company-news-adobe-systems-revises-aldus-acquisition.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Around the same time as the development of Illustrator, Adobe entered the [[NASDAQ Composite|NASDAQ Composite index]] in August 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe Inc (ADBE) Stock Price & News |url=https://www.google.com/finance/quote/ADBE:NASDAQ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Google Finance |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 3, 1996 |title=Adobe gets font technology. (Adobe Inc. acquires Ares Software Corp.) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18422328.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011162644/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18422328.html |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Adobe Systems logo and wordmark.svg|left|thumb|Logo of Adobe Inc., 1993–2017|186x186px]]

=== PDFs and file formats (1993–1999) ===
In 1993, Adobe introduced the [[PDF|Portable Document Format]], commonly shortened to the initialism PDF, and its [[Adobe Acrobat|Adobe Acrobat and Reader]] software. Warnock originally developed the PDF under a code name, "The Camelot Project", using PostScript technology to create a widely available digital document format, able to display text, raster graphics, vector graphics, and fonts. Adobe kept the PDF as a proprietary file format from its introduction until 2008, when the PDF became an [[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]] international standard under ISO number [[PDF|ISO 32000-1:2008]], though the PDF file format was free for viewers since its introduction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is a PDF? Portable Document Format {{!}} Adobe Acrobat |url=https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/about-adobe-pdf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130032548/https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/about-adobe-pdf.html |archive-date=2023-01-30 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=www.adobe.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Orion |first=Egan |date=December 5, 2007 |title=PDF 1.7 is approved as ISO 32000 |url=http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2007/12/05/pdf-approved-iso-32000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213004627/http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2007/12/05/pdf-approved-iso-32000 |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |access-date=December 5, 2007 |work=[[The Inquirer]]}}</ref>

With its acquisition of Aldus, in addition to gaining PageMaker and After Effects, Adobe gained control over the [[TIFF]] file format for images.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Verespej |first=Michael A. |date=February 5, 1996 |title=Empire without emperors |journal=Industry Week |volume=245 |issue=3 |pages=13–16 }}</ref>

===Creative Suite and the Macromedia acquisition (2000–2009)===
The 2000s saw various developments for the company. Its first notable acquisition in the decade was in 2002, when Adobe acquired Canadian company Accelio, also known as [[JetForm]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-87564214.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911053607/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-87564214.html |url-status = dead| archive-date=September 11, 2016 | title=Adobe acquires Accelio. (Industry News). | date=July 1, 2002 | access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=ROUNDUP |first=A. Wall Street Journal Online NEWS |date=2002-02-01 |title=Adobe Agrees to Acquire Accelio, Sticks With 1st-Quarter Guidance |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1012575158463106080 |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> In May 2003, Adobe purchased audio editing and multitrack recording software Cool Edit Pro from Syntrillium Software for $16.5&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/invrelations/pdfs/q2_fy03_form_10q.pdf |title=United States SEC Form 10-Q, Adobe Systems, Inc., May 30, 2003 |access-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030212330/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/invrelations/pdfs/q2_fy03_form_10q.pdf |archive-date=October 30, 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> as well as a large [[loop (music)|loop]] library called "Loopology". Adobe then renamed Cool Edit Pro to [[Adobe Audition]]. It was in 2003 that the company introduced the first version of [[Adobe Creative Suite]], bundling its creative software into a single package. The first version of Creative Suite introduced InDesign (the successor to PageMaker), Illustrator, Photoshop, ImageReady and InCopy, with the 2005 second edition of Creative Suite including an updated version of Adobe Acrobat, Premiere Pro, GoLive, the file manager [[Adobe Bridge]], and [[Adobe Dreamweaver]], the latter of which was acquired from a $3.4 billion acquisition of [[Macromedia]], most notably.<ref name="Creative Suite">{{cite web |title=Creative Suite |url=https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200309/092903CREATIVESUITE.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509011539/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200309/092903CREATIVESUITE.html |archive-date=May 9, 2010 |access-date=2010-04-04 |publisher=Adobe |type=press release}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 September 2006 |title=New Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional Enhances Adobe Creative Suite 2.3 |url=https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200609/091806CreativeSuite.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323064143/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200609/091806CreativeSuite.html |archive-date=23 March 2007 |access-date=10 January 2014 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |quote=Adobe Creative Suite 2.3 Premium also bundles Dreamweaver® 8}}</ref>

In addition to bringing in Dreamweaver, the $3.4 billion Macromedia acquisition, completed as a [[stock swap]], added [[Adobe ColdFusion|ColdFusion]], [[Adobe Contribute|Contribute]], [[Adobe Captivate|Captivate]], Breeze (rebranded as [[Adobe Connect]]), [[Adobe Director|Director]], [[Adobe Fireworks|Fireworks]], [[Adobe Flash|Flash]], [[Adobe Flash Professional|Flash Professional]], [[FlashPaper]], [[Adobe Flex|Flex]], [[Adobe FreeHand|FreeHand]], [[Adobe HomeSite|HomeSite]], JRun, [[Adobe Presenter|Presenter]], and [[Adobe Authorware|Authorware]] to Adobe's product line.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jefferson|last=Graham|title=Adobe buys Macromedia in $3.4B deal|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2005-04-18-adobe-macromedia_x.htm|work=USA Today|date=April 18, 2005|access-date=March 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320002855/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2005-04-18-adobe-macromedia_x.htm |archive-date=2009-03-20}}</ref>

By April 2008, Adobe released [[Adobe Media Player]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Now playing: Adobe Media Player 1.0 |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/now-playing-adobe-media-player-1-0/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe Media Player (AMP) released |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-media-player-amp-released/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=ZDNET |language=en}}</ref> On April 27, Adobe discontinued the development and sales of its older [[HTML]]/web development software, [[Adobe GoLive|GoLive]], in favor of [[Adobe Dreamweaver|Dreamweaver]]. Adobe offered a discount on Dreamweaver for GoLive users and supports those who still use GoLive with online tutorials and migration assistance. On June 1, Adobe launched [[Acrobat.com]], a series of [[web application]]s geared for collaborative work.<ref name="AcrobatDotCom">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.adobe.com/acom/2008/06/welcome_to_acrobatcom_work_tog_1.html|title=Welcome to Acrobat.com – Work. Together. Anywhere.|date=June 1, 2008|access-date=June 2, 2008|publisher=Adobe|first=Erik|last=Larson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603155243/http://blogs.adobe.com/acom/2008/06/welcome_to_acrobatcom_work_tog_1.html|archive-date=June 3, 2008|url-status = dead}}</ref> Creative Suite 4, which includes Design, Web, Production Premium, and Master Collection came out in October 2008 in six configurations at prices from about US$1,700 to $2,500<ref>{{cite news|title=Adobe launches Creative Suite 4; Likely to top low expectations|url=http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=10127|date=September 23, 2008|work=ZDNet|publisher=CBS|access-date=September 23, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080924141406/http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=10127| archive-date=September 24, 2008|url-status = dead}}</ref> or by individual application.<ref name="Carlson">{{cite news |author=Carlson, Jeff |date=September 23, 2008 |title=Adobe Announces Vast Creative Suite 4 |url=http://db.tidbits.com/article/9782 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928100028/http://db.tidbits.com/article/9782 |archive-date=September 28, 2008 |access-date=September 23, 2008 |publisher=TidBITS}}</ref> The Windows version of Photoshop includes 64-bit processing.<ref name="Carlson" />

On December 3, 2008, Adobe laid off 600 of its employees (8% of the worldwide staff) citing the [[Great Recession|weak economic environment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Brandon |date=2008-12-03 |title=Adobe to cut 600 jobs, report lower fourth-quarter revenue |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/12/03/adobe-to-cut-600-jobs-report-lower-fourth-quarter-revenue/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> On September 15, 2009, Adobe Systems announced that it would acquire online marketing and web analytics company [[Omniture]] for $1.8&nbsp;billion.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2009-09-15 |title=Firm for Analyzing Web Traffic Bought by Adobe for $1.8 Billion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/technology/companies/16adobe.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Swanson |first=Ana |date=2025-04-02 |title=Wokushop |url=https://wokushop.com/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=wokushop.com |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe to buy Omniture for $1.8 billion - Sep. 15, 2009 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/09/15/technology/adobe_omniture/index.htm?source=motleyfool |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429134217/https://money.cnn.com/2009/09/15/technology/adobe_omniture/index.htm?source=motleyfool |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2025 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=money.cnn.com}}</ref> The deal was completed on October 23, 2009.<ref name=":1" /> Former Omniture products were integrated into the [[Adobe Marketing Cloud]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://searchengineland.com/how-to-gracefully-retire-a-brand-name-125611 |title=How To Gracefully Retire A Brand Name|date=July 18, 2012|publisher=SearchEngineLand.com}}</ref> On November 10, 2009, the company laid off a further 680 employees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morrison |first=Scott |date=2009-11-10 |title=Adobe to Cut 680 Jobs to Reduce Costs |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704402404574528174100385780 |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-11-10 |title=Adobe lays off one in 10 workers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8353863.stm |access-date=2025-04-02 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===End of Flash, security breach, and employee compensation class action (2010–2014)===
[[File:Adobe Corporate logo.svg|right|thumb|Logo of Adobe Systems, 2017–2024]]
Adobe's 2010 was marked by continuing arguments with Apple over the latter's non-support for Adobe Flash on its [[iPhone]], [[iPad]] and other products.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/060710-tech-argument-apple-adobe.html |title=Apple vs. Adobe |publisher=networkworld.com |date=June 7, 2010 |access-date=July 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613123134/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/060710-tech-argument-apple-adobe.html |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs claimed that Flash was not reliable or secure enough, while Adobe executives have argued that Apple wishes to maintain control over the iOS platform. In April 2010, Steve Jobs published a post titled ''[[Thoughts on Flash]]'' where he outlined his thoughts on [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] and the rise of [[HTML5]].<ref name="Steve Jobs">{{cite web|title=Thoughts on Flash|url=https://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/|access-date=November 16, 2020|publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430094807/https://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/|archive-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> In July 2010, Adobe bought Day Software<ref>{{Cite web |title=Web CMS: Adobe Buys Day Software for US$ 240 Million |url=https://www.cmswire.com/cms/web-cms/web-cms-adobe-buys-day-software-for-us-240-million-008168.php |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=CMSWire.com |language=en}}</ref> integrating its line of CQ Products: WCM,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.day.com/day/en/products/web_content_management.html|title=Adobe CQ WEM|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=January 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110105728/http://www.day.com/day/en/products/web_content_management.html|archive-date=January 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> DAM,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.day.com/day/en/products/digital_asset_management.html|title=Adobe CQ DAM|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=January 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207131021/http://www.day.com/day/en/products/digital_asset_management.html|archive-date=February 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> SOCO,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.day.com/day/en/products/social_collaboration.html|title=Adobe CQ Social Collaboration CQ SOCO|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=January 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231173533/http://www.day.com/day/en/products/social_collaboration.html|archive-date=December 31, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Mobile<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.day.com/day/en/products/mobile.html|title=Adobe CQ Mobile|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=January 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111171807/http://www.day.com/day/en/products/mobile.html|archive-date=January 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2011, Adobe acquired DemDex, Inc. with the intent of adding DemDex's audience-optimization software to its online marketing suite.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/01/18/adobe-buys-behavioral-data-management-platform-demdex/| title=Adobe Buys Behavioral Data Management Platform DemDex| author=Leena Rao| date=January 18, 2011| work=TechCrunch| access-date=April 20, 2015 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119023747/https://techcrunch.com/2011/01/18/adobe-buys-behavioral-data-management-platform-demdex/ |archive-date=2025-11-19}}</ref> At Photoshop World 2011, Adobe unveiled a new mobile photo service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |date=2011-09-07 |title=Adobe tries mobile photos as a service with Carousel |url=http://gigaom.com/apple/adobe-tries-mobile-photos-as-a-service-with-carousel/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105172422/http://gigaom.com/apple/adobe-tries-mobile-photos-as-a-service-with-carousel/ |archive-date=2012-01-05 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=GigaOM |language=en}}</ref> Carousel was a new application for iPhone, iPad, and [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] that used Photoshop Lightroom technology to allow users to adjust and fine-tune images on all platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |date=2011-09-07 |title=Adobe tries mobile photos as a service with Carousel |url=http://gigaom.com/apple/adobe-tries-mobile-photos-as-a-service-with-carousel/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015122352/http://gigaom.com/apple/adobe-tries-mobile-photos-as-a-service-with-carousel/ |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=GigaOM |url-status=dead }}</ref> Carousel also allowed users to automatically sync, share and browse photos.<ref name="Carousel">Darrell Etherington, GigaOm. "[http://gigaom.com/apple/adobe-tries-mobile-photos-as-a-service-with-carousel/ Adobe tries mobile photos as a service with Carousel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105172422/http://gigaom.com/apple/adobe-tries-mobile-photos-as-a-service-with-carousel/|date=January 5, 2012}}." September 7, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2011.</ref> The service was later renamed "Adobe Revel".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-01-11 |title=Adobe Carousel renamed "Adobe Revel" |url=https://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2012/01/adobe-carousel-renamed-adobe-revel.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124034522/https://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2012/01/adobe-carousel-renamed-adobe-revel.html |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |access-date=2025-06-23 |work=John Nack on Adobe |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that same year in October, Adobe acquired Nitobi Software, the maker of the [[mobile application]] development framework ''PhoneGap''. As part of the acquisition, the source code of PhoneGap was submitted to the [[Apache Foundation]], where it became [[Apache Cordova]].

In November 2011, Adobe announced that it would cease development of Flash for mobile devices following version 11.1. Instead, it would focus on HTML5 for mobile devices.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winokur |first=Danny |url=http://blogs.adobe.com/conversations/2011/11/flash-focus.html |title=Flash to Focus on PC Browsing and Mobile Apps; Adobe to More Aggressively Contribute to HTML5 (Adobe Featured Blogs) |publisher=Blogs.adobe.com |date=November 9, 2011 |access-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421062934/https://blogs.adobe.com/conversations/2011/11/flash-focus.html |archive-date=2017-04-21}}</ref> In December 2011, Adobe announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Efficient Frontier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe Buys Efficient Frontier to Boost Its Online Advertising Capabilities |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/472446/adobe_buys_efficient_frontier_to_boost_its_online_advertising_capabilities.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=PCWorld |language=en}}</ref> In December 2012, Adobe opened a new {{convert|280000|sqft|adj=on}} corporate campus in [[Lehi, Utah]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jasen |title=A look inside Adobe's new state-of-the-art Utah home |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865568252/A-look-inside-Adobes-new-state-of-the-art-Utah-home.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208011023/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865568252/A-look-inside-Adobes-new-state-of-the-art-Utah-home.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |newspaper=Deseret News |date=December 6, 2012}}</ref>

In 2013, Adobe endured a major security breach. Vast portions of the source code for the company's software were stolen and posted online<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=2013-10-29 |title=Adobe hack much worse than reported, hits 38 million passwords and Photoshop source code |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/29/5042434/adobe-cyberattack-takes-38-million-passwords-photoshop-source-code |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> and over 150 million records of Adobe's customers were made readily available for download.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/7/5078560/over-150-million-breached-records-from-adobe-hack-surface-online|title=Over 150 million breached records from Adobe hack have surfaced online.|website=The Verge|date=November 7, 2013|access-date=March 7, 2017 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230200941/https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/7/5078560/over-150-million-breached-records-from-adobe-hack-surface-online |archive-date=2025-12-30}}</ref> In 2012, about 40 million sets of payment card information were compromised by a hack at Adobe.<ref name="Top 2014">Skimming Off the Top; Why America has such a high rate of payment-card fraud, February 15, 2014, The Economist</ref>

A [[class-action lawsuit]] alleging that the company suppressed employee compensation was [[High-Tech Employee Antitrust Litigation|filed against Adobe]], and three other [[Silicon Valley]]–based companies in a California federal district court in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20131025-706737.html |title=Judge Grants Class-Action Status in Silicon Valley Hiring Suit |publisher=wsj.com |date=October 2, 2013|access-date=October 30, 2013 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194810/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20131025-706737.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013 }}</ref> In May 2014, it was revealed the four companies, Adobe, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], Google, and [[Intel]] had reached an agreement with the plaintiffs, 64,000 employees of the four companies, to pay a sum of $324.5&nbsp;million to settle the suit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stempel |first1=Jonathan |title=Apple, Google, Intel, Adobe to pay $325 million to settle hiring lawsuit |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/apple-google-intel-adobe-to-pay-325-million-to-settle-hiring-lawsuit-idUSBREA4M0MY/ |access-date=16 January 2025 |work=Reuters |date=23 May 2014}}</ref>

=== Adobe Creative Cloud (Since 2011) ===
2011 saw the company first introduce [[Adobe Creative Cloud]], a $600/year subscription plan to its creative software as opposed to a one-time perpetual license payment which could often top $2000 for creative professionals. The initial launch of Creative Cloud alongside Creative Suite 5 users came at the same time that Adobe ran into controversy from users of Adobe's creative software, with users of Adobe software stating that the original perpetual and subscription pricing plans for CS5 would be unaffordable for not only individuals but also businesses, as well as refusing to extend a Creative Suite 6 discount to non-CS5 users. The original announcement of Adobe Creative Cloud was met with a positive reception from CNET journalists as a much more enticing plan, and Creative Cloud was first released in 2012, though a later CNET survey evidenced that more users had a negative perception about subscription creative software than a positive view. The original pricing plan for Creative Cloud was $75 per month for the entire suite of software, though Adobe discounted the monthly cost to $50 for users willing to commit to at least one year of continuous subscription for Creative Cloud, and down to $30 per month for former CS users with the one year commitment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe launches Creative Cloud subscription service |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/adobe-launches-creative-cloud-subscription-service/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe's new pricing plan: Ouch, users say |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/adobes-new-pricing-plan-ouch-users-say/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>

By 2013, Adobe decided that CS6 would be the last version of Creative Suite software that would be sold through perpetual licensing option, and in May announced that a Creative Cloud subscription would be the only way to get the newest versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe creative software. Reception to the mandatory subscriptions for future Adobe software was mostly negative, despite some positive testimonies on the move from customers and Adobe's attraction of 500,000 Creative Cloud subscribers by the service's first year.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Finley |first=Klint |title=Unhappy Customers Want to Parachute From Adobe's Creative Cloud |url=https://www.wired.com/2013/05/adobe-creative-cloud-petition/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The switch to subscription only also did not deter [[Online piracy|software piracy]] of Creative Cloud services; within the first day of the first version of Photoshop exclusively made for Creative Cloud being released, cracked versions of Adobe Photoshop CC 2013 were found on [[The Pirate Bay]], an online website used for distributing pirated software.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-21 |title=Adobe's Piracy-Proof Software Already Pirated |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna52277182 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126164245/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna52277182 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Souppouris |first=Aaron |date=2013-06-20 |title=Adobe's subscription-only Photoshop CC has already been pirated |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/6/20/4447916/adobe-photoshop-cc-pirated-in-one-day |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

=== Further acquisitions and failed buyout of Figma (2018–2023) ===
In March 2018, at Adobe Summit, the company and [[Nvidia]] announced their association to upgrade their AI and profound learning innovations. They planned to streamline Adobe Sensei AI and machine learning structure for Nvidia [[Graphics processing unit|GPUs]]. Adobe and Nvidia had cooperated for 10 years on GPU quickening. This incorporates Sensei-powered features, e.g. auto lip-sync in Adobe Character Animator CC and face-aware editing in Photoshop CC, and also cloud-based AI/ML items and features, for example, picture investigation for Adobe Stock and Lightroom CC and auto-labeling in Adobe Experience Supervisor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McLean |first=Asha |date=March 28, 2018 |title=Adobe and Nvidia expand partnership for Sensei AI |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-and-nvidia-expand-partnership-for-sensei-ai/ |access-date=April 4, 2018 |work=ZDNet |language=en}}</ref>

Adobe further spent its time from 2018 to 2023 acquiring more companies to boost both Creative Cloud and the [[Adobe Experience Cloud]], a software suite which increased business. These included e-commerce services provider [[Magento|Magento Commerce]] from private equity firm [[Permira]] for $1.68&nbsp;billion in June 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2018 |title=Adobe Completes Acquisition of Magento Commerce |url=https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2018/Adobe-Completes-Acquisition-of-Magento-Commerce/default.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501094357/https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2018/Adobe-Completes-Acquisition-of-Magento-Commerce/default.aspx |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |access-date= |website=Adobe.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/technology/adobe-buys-magento-for-us168b-to-target-e-commerce|title=Adobe buys Magento for US$1.68b to target e-commerce|work=The Business Times|access-date=May 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref> [[Marketo]] for $4.75 billion in 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Adobe gets its company, snaring Marketo for $4.75 billion |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/20/adobe-gets-its-company-snaring-marketo-for-4-75-billion/ |access-date=September 22, 2018 |work=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> Allegorithmic in 2019 for just under $160 million,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lardinois |first=Frederick |date=January 2, 2019 |title=Adobe Acquires Allegorithmic Makers of the Substance Texture tools |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/23/adobe-acquires-allegorithmic-makers-of-the-substance-texture-tools/ |access-date=May 2, 2019 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NOTE 3. ACQUISITIONS |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/796343/000079634319000079/R10.htm#:~:text=We%20acquired%20the%20remaining%20equity,interest,%20was%20approximately%20$159.7%20million. |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.sec.gov}}</ref> and [[Workfront]] in December 2020 for $1.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Ron |date=2020-11-09 |title=Adobe acquires marketing workflow startup Workfront for $1.5B |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/09/adobe-acquires-marketing-workflow-startup-workfront-for-1-5b/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> 2021 additionally saw Adobe add payment services to its e-commerce platforms in an attempt to compete with [[Shopify]], accepting both credit cards and [[PayPal]].<ref name="Reuters News">{{cite news |last1=Nellis |first1=Stephen |date=September 15, 2021 |title=Adobe jumps into e-commerce payments business in challenge to Shopify |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/adobe-jumps-into-e-commerce-payments-business-challenge-shopify-2021-09-15/ |access-date=September 15, 2021 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

In July 2020, as the United States presidential elections approached, the software giant imposed a ban on the political ads features on its digital advertising sales platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Glazer |first1=Emily |last2=Haggin |first2=Patience |date=2020-07-31 |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Adobe to Ban Political Ads on Its Online Ad-Sales Platform |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/adobe-plans-to-ban-political-ads-on-its-online-ad-sales-platform-11596222336 |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

On November 9, 2020, Adobe announced it would spend US$1.5 billion to acquire [[Workfront]], a provider of marketing collaboration software.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Nico |last2=Baker |first2=Liana |last3=Roof |first3=Katie |title=Adobe to Buy Workfront for $1.5 Billion to Aid Collaboration |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-09/adobe-said-to-be-in-talks-to-acquire-workfront-for-1-5-billion |access-date=November 9, 2020 |work=Bloomberg Technology |date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> The acquisition was completed in early December 2020.

On August 19, 2021, Adobe announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Frame.io, a leading cloud-based video collaboration platform. The transaction is valued at $1.275 billion and closed during the fourth quarter of Adobe's 2021 fiscal year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe Completes Acquisition of Frame.io |url=https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2021/Adobe-Completes-Acquisition-of-Frame.io/default.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007201631/https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2021/Adobe-Completes-Acquisition-of-Frame.io/default.aspx |archive-date=2021-10-07 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=news.adobe.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Adobe announced a $20 billion acquisition of [[Figma]], an [[Adobe XD]] competitor, in September 2022,<ref>{{cite press release | author=<!--Not stated--> | title=Adobe to Acquire Figma | url=https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2022/Adobe-to-Acquire-Figma/default.aspx | location=San Jose, California | publisher=Adobe | date=September 15, 2022 | access-date=August 19, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915121046/https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2022/Adobe-to-Acquire-Figma/default.aspx | archive-date = September 15, 2022}}</ref> its largest to date.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=Brody |date=7 November 2022 |title=Adobe Is Trying to Spend $20 Billion to Buy Back Its Swagger |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-07/adobe-adbe-figma-acquisition-could-overhaul-its-business?srnd=premium&sref=CIpmV6x8 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref> Regulatory scrutiny from the US and European Union began shortly after due to concerns that Adobe, already a major player in the design software market with XD, would have too much control if it also owned Figma. At the time of the announcement to acquire Figma, Adobe's share over the creative software market and design-software market was almost a monopoly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=2023-12-18 |title=Adobe abandons $20 billion acquisition of Figma |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/18/24005996/adobe-figma-acquisition-abandoned-termination-fee |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> In December 2023, the two companies called off their merger, citing the regulatory challenges as a sign to both that the deal was not likely to be approved. Adobe paid Figma a $1 billion termination fee per their merger agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=EU regulators to assess Adobe's $20bn acquisition of Figma |url=https://www.ns-businesshub.com/technology/eu-regulators-to-assess-adobe-20bn-acquisition-figma/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=NS Business |language=en-US |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216134126/https://www.ns-businesshub.com/technology/eu-regulators-to-assess-adobe-20bn-acquisition-figma/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goswami |first=Hayden Field, Rohan |date=2023-12-18 |title=Adobe and Figma call off $20 billion merger |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/18/adobe-and-figma-call-off-20-billion-merger.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=2022-08-25 |title=Microsoft employees love Figma, and it's testing the company's cozy relationship with Adobe |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/25/figma-growing-inside-microsoft-testing-longtime-deal-with-adobe.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dotan |first=Dean Seal and Tom |title=Adobe Scraps $20 Billion Acquisition of Figma |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/adobe-figma-scrap-20-billion-acquisition-3488d5a1 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=WSJ |date=December 18, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===FTC lawsuit and terms of service update (2024–2026)===
On June 17, 2024, the [[US Federal Trade Commission]] together with the [[US Department of Justice]] filed a lawsuit against Adobe for its subscription business model practice, citing hidden termination fees and the company pushing customers towards more expensive plans.<ref>{{cite news |title=Adobe steered consumers to pricey services and made it hard to cancel, feds say - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/adobe-ftc-federal-lawsuit-cancel-subscription/ |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=CBS News |date=17 June 2024}}</ref> On March 13, 2026, the lawsuit was settled out of court for $150M.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adobe reaches $150 million settlement of US lawsuit over termination fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/adobe-pay-75-million-resolve-us-lawsuit-over-fees-subscription-cancellations-2026-03-13/ |work=Reuters |date=13 March 2026}}</ref>

In June 2024, after facing backlash for its changes to the [[terms of service]], Adobe updated them to explicitly pledge it will not use [[customer data]] to train its [[AI]] models.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fried |first=Ina |date=2024-06-18 |title=Adobe codifies pledge not to train AI on customer data |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/06/18/adobe-ai-customer-data-training |accessdate=2024-06-20 |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]]}}</ref>

In November 2025, Adobe Inc. announced its agreement to acquire [[Semrush]] for $1.9&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/823887/adobe-semrush-acquisition-digital-marketing |title=Adobe to acquire digital marketing platform Semrush for $1.9 billion |date=November 19, 2025 |website=The Verge |last=Roth |first=Emma}}</ref>

=== AI Competition ===
In March 2026, Adobe announced Shantanu Narayen would step down from his position as CEO after 18 years. Narayen was expected to stay on until a new CEO was identified and remain as chairman. Adobe, among other software companies, were in investor crosshairs amid concerns about competitive threats from increased AI adoption.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=2026-03-12 |title=Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen says he will step down after company installs successor |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/12/adobe-ceo-shantanu-narayen-step-down.html |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

On March 16, 2026, Adobe and [[Nvidia|NVIDIA]] announced a strategic partnership to deliver next-generation [[Adobe Firefly]] models and agentic workflows. The collaboration spans AI model development, 3D product visualization, document intelligence, and cloud media workflows, with a joint go-to-market strategy targeting enterprise customers through Adobe's Firefly Foundry platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe and NVIDIA Announce Strategic Partnership |url=https://news.adobe.com/news/2026/03/adobe-and-nvidia-announce-strategic-partnership |date=March 16, 2026 |website=Adobe News |access-date=2026-03-20}}</ref> 

==Products==
{{Main|List of Adobe software}}

Adobe's currently supported roster of software, online services and file formats comprises the following ({{as of|2022|10|lc=y}}):
{| class="wikitable noresize"
|+ Graphic design software
! Name
! Icon
! Type
|-
| [[Adobe Photoshop|Photoshop]] || [[File:Adobe Photoshop CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| [[Raster graphics editor]]
|-
| [[Adobe Photoshop Elements|Photoshop Elements]] || [[File:Photoshop Elements.svg|x40px]] || Raster graphics editor, hobbyist
|-
| [[Adobe Illustrator|Illustrator]] || [[File:Adobe Illustrator CC icon.svg|x40px]] || [[Vector graphics editor]]
|-
| [[Adobe Acrobat DC|Acrobat DC]] || [[File:Adobe Acrobat DC logo 2020.svg|x40px]] || [[PDF|Portable Document Format]] viewer, creator, and editor
|-
| [[Adobe FrameMaker|FrameMaker]] || [[File:Adobe FrameMaker icon 2021.svg|x40px]] || Complex [[document processor]]
|-
| [[Adobe XD|XD]] || [[File:Adobe XD CC icon.svg|x40px]] || Vector design tool for [[web application|web]] and [[mobile app|mobile]] applications
|-
| [[Adobe InDesign|InDesign]] || [[File:Adobe Indesign CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| [[Desktop publishing]] design and typesetting tool
|-
| [[Adobe InCopy|InCopy]] || [[File:Adobe InCopy CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| [[Word processor]] to edit the textual parts in InDesign layouts.
|-
| [[Adobe Lightroom|Lightroom]] || [[File:Adobe Lightroom CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| Raw image processor
|-
|[[Adobe Express|Express]]
|[[File:Adobe Express 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]
|Vector design tool for web and mobile applications
|}

{| class="wikitable noresize"
|+ Web design software
! Name
! Icon
! Type
|-
| [[Adobe Dreamweaver|Dreamweaver]] || [[File:Adobe Dreamweaver CC icon.svg|x40px]] || [[Web development]] tool
|-
| [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] || [[File:Adobe Flash Player 32.svg|x40px]] || Multimedia [[Computing platform|software platform]]
|}

{| class="wikitable noresize"
|+ Video editing, audio editing, animation, and visual effects software
! Name
! Icon
! Type
|-
| [[Adobe Premiere Pro|Premiere Pro]] || [[File:Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| [[Non-linear editing|Non-linear video editor]]
|-
| [[Adobe Premiere Elements|Premiere Elements]] || [[File:Adobe Premiere Elements.svg|x40px]] || [[Non-linear editing|Non-linear video editor]], hobbyist
|-
| [[Adobe Audition|Audition]] || [[File:Adobe Audition CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| Audio editor
|-
| [[Adobe After Effects|After Effects]] || [[File:Adobe After Effects CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| [[visual effects|Digital visual effects]], [[motion graphics]], and [[Digital compositing|compositing]] application
|-
| [[Adobe Character Animator|Character Animator]] || [[File:Adobe Character Animator icon (2020).svg|x40px]] || [[Motion capture]] tool
|-
| [[Adobe Prelude|Prelude]] || [[File:Adobe Prelude CC icon (2020).svg|x40px]] || [[Broadcast automation|Broadcast ingest and logging]] application
|-
| [[Adobe Animate|Animate]] || [[File:Adobe Animate CC icon (2020).svg|x40px]] || [[Computer animation]] application
|}

{| class="wikitable noresize"
|+ E-learning software
! Name
! Icon
! Type
|-
| [[Adobe Captivate|Captivate]] || [[File:Adobe Captivate Prime icon.svg|x40px]] || E-learning course [[authoring system|authoring tool]]
|-
| [[Adobe Presenter Video Express|Presenter Video Express]] || [[File:Adobe Presenter Video Express.svg|x40px]] || [[Screencast]]ing recorder and editor
|-
| [[Adobe Connect|Connect]] || [[File:Adobe Connect icon (2020).svg|x40px]] || [[Teleconferencing]] and [[videotelephony]] tool
|}

{| class="wikitable noresize"
|+ Web design software
! Name
! Icon
! Type
|-
| [[Adobe ColdFusion|ColdFusion]] || [[File:Adobe ColdFusion logo 2021.svg|x40px]] || [[Rapid application development|Rapid web-application development]] platform
|-
| [[Adobe Content Server|Content Server]] || [[File:Adobe Content Server v4.0 icon.png|x40px]] || [[ebook|E-book]] [[digital rights management]] system
|-
| [[Adobe LiveCycle|LiveCycle]] || [[File:Adobe LiveCycle ES3 v8.0 icon.png|x40px]] || [[Java EE]] [[Service-oriented architecture]] software
|}

{| class="wikitable noresize"
|+ 3D and AR software by [[Mixamo]]
! Name
! Icon
! Type
|-
| [[Adobe Aero|Aero]] || [[File:Adobe Aero icon (2021).svg|x40px]] || [[Augmented reality]] authoring and publishing tool
|-
| [[Adobe Dimension|Dimension]] || [[File:Adobe Dimension CC 2026 icon.svg|41x41px]]|| [[3D rendering]] and rudimentary [[3D modeling|design]] tool
|-
| [[Adobe Substance 3D|Substance 3D]]|| [[File:Adobe Substance 3D icon.svg|x40px]] || Suite of 3D [[3D modeling|model]] and [[Texture mapping|texture]] authoring tools.
|}

=== Formats ===
[[Portable Document Format]] (PDF), PDF's predecessor [[PostScript]], [[ActionScript]], Shockwave Flash ([[SWF]]), [[Flash Video]] (FLV), and ''Filmstrip'' (.flm)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.compuphase.com/filmstrp.htm|title=The Filmstrip file format|date=July 2, 2012|author=Thiadmer Riemersma|access-date=January 27, 2015|publisher=CompuPhase}}</ref>

=== Web-hosted services ===
Adobe Color, [[Photoshop Express]], [[Acrobat.com]], [[Behance]] and [[Adobe Spark|Adobe Express.]]

=== Adobe Renderer ===
[[Adobe Media Encoder]]

=== Adobe Stock ===
A [[microstock]] agency that presently provides over 57 million high-resolution, royalty-free images and videos available to license (via subscription or credit purchase methods). In 2015, Adobe acquired '''Fotolia''', a stock content marketplace founded in 2005 by Thibaud Elziere, Oleg Tscheltzoff, and Patrick Chassany which operated in 23 countries.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2014-12-12 |title=Adobe Acquires Fotolia For USD 800M In Cash |url=https://www.stockphotosecrets.com/news/adobe-acquires-fotolia.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> It was run as a stand-alone website until 2019, but has since been integrated into Adobe Stock.<ref name=":0" />

=== Adobe Experience Platform ===
A family of content, development, and customer relationship management products, with what Adobe calls the "next generation" of its Sensei artificial intelligence and machine learning framework, introduced in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/03/26/adobe-debuts-new-ai-powered-features-in-adobe-experience-platform/|title=Adobe debuts new AI-powered features in Adobe Experience Platform|date=March 2, 2019|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref>

== Criticisms ==
===Pricing===
Adobe has been criticized for its pricing practices,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39497760,00.htm?r=1|title=Adobe responds to CS4 pricing criticism|access-date=December 26, 2008|archive-date=September 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919023832/https://www.zdnet.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.builderau.com.au/news/soa/Adobe-defends-CS4-pricing/0,339028227,339292472,00.htm |title=Adobe defends CS4 pricing |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927105212/http://www.builderau.com.au/news/soa/Adobe-defends-CS4-pricing/0%2C339028227%2C339292472%2C00.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> with retail prices being up to twice as much in non-US countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Theresa |date=2007-05-07 |title=Creative Suite Pricing Varies Throughout World {{!}} CreativePro Network |url=https://creativepro.com/creative-suite-pricing-varies-throughout-world/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>

After Adobe revealed the pricing for the Creative Suite 3 Master Collection, which was £1,000 higher for European customers,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/uk-will-pay-1000-more-for-adobe-cs3/ |title=UK will pay £1,000 more for Adobe CS3 |work=ZDNet |date=March 3, 2007|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> a petition to protest over "unfair pricing" was published and signed by 10,000 users.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://photo.net/photography-news-forum/00LDbS |title=10,000 sign Adobe CS3 European pricing petition |publisher=Photo.net |date=May 2, 2007|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> In June 2009, Adobe further increased its prices in the UK by 10% in spite of weakening of the pound against the dollar,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/254173/adobe-hikes-uk-prices-by-10.html|title=Adobe hikes UK prices by 10% &#124; News|publisher=PC Pro|date=June 1, 2009|access-date=May 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807074447/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/254173/adobe-hikes-uk-prices-by-10.html|archive-date=August 7, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> and UK users were not allowed to buy from the US store.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arthur |first=Charles |date=2009-06-03 |title=Adobe widens the price gap |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jun/04/adobe-software |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Adobe's [[Adobe Reader|Reader]] and [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] programs were listed on "The 10 most hated programs of all time" article by ''[[TechRadar]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/the-10-most-hated-programs-of-all-time-1060129 |title=The 10 most hated programs of all time: Terrible software that made everybody see red|work=TechRadar|author=Gary Marshall|date=February 3, 2012|access-date=October 5, 2017}}</ref>

=== Security ===
Hackers have exploited vulnerabilities in Adobe programs, such as Adobe Reader, to gain unauthorized access to computers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pagliery |first=Jose |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/10/08/technology/security/adobe-security/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012062902/http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/08/technology/security/adobe-security |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |title=Adobe has an espically abysmal security record – CNNMoney |publisher=Money.cnn.com |date=October 8, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> [[Flash player#Criticism|Adobe's Flash Player has also been criticized]] for, among other things, suffering from performance, memory usage and security problems. A report by security researchers from [[Kaspersky Lab]] criticized Adobe for producing the products having top 10 security vulnerabilities.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jeff James in Security Blog |url=http://windowsitpro.com/blog/adobe-fares-poorly-kaspersky-lab-security-report |title=Adobe Fares Poorly in Kaspersky Lab Security Report |publisher=WindowsITPro |date=August 1, 2011|access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703214840/http://windowsitpro.com/blog/adobe-fares-poorly-kaspersky-lab-security-report |archive-date=July 3, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Observers noted that Adobe was spying on its customers by including [[spyware]] in the Creative Suite 3 software and quietly sending user data to a firm named [[Omniture]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20071228/020818.shtml |title=Adobe Spying On Its Customers |publisher=Techdirt |date=December 2, 2007|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> When users became aware, Adobe explained what the suspicious software did and admitted that they: "could and should do a better job taking security concerns into account".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2007/12/adobe_ate_me_baby.html |title=John Nack on Adobe: Adobe ate me baby!! |publisher=Blogs.adobe.com |date=December 2, 2007|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> When a security flaw was later discovered in Photoshop CS5, Adobe sparked outrage by saying it would leave the flaw unpatched, so anyone who wanted to use the software securely would have to pay for an upgrade.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brewster|first=Thomas |url=https://www.silicon.co.uk/workspace/adobe-creative-suite-patch-backtrac-77760|title=Adobe Backtracks On Patching 'PR Disaster' |publisher=TechWeekEurope |date=May 1, 2012|access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320165029/https://www.silicon.co.uk/workspace/adobe-creative-suite-patch-backtrac-77760 |archive-date=2025-03-20}}</ref> Following a fierce backlash Adobe decided to provide the software patch.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brenner |first=Bill |url=http://blogs.csoonline.com/data-protection/2178/was-stupid-adobe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630154428/http://blogs.csoonline.com/data-protection/2178/was-stupid-adobe |url-status = dead|archive-date=June 30, 2012 |title=That was stupid, Adobe &#124; CSO Blogs |publisher=Blogs.csoonline.com |date=May 1, 2012|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

Adobe has been criticized for pushing unwanted software including third-party browser toolbars and free virus scanners, usually as part of the [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] update process,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-and-skype-top-my-foistware-hall-of-shame/ |title=Adobe and Skype top my Foistware Hall of Shame |work=ZDNet |date=April 2, 2011|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> and for pushing a third-party [[scareware]] program designed to scare users into paying for unneeded system repairs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobes-latest-critical-security-update-pushes-scareware/ |title=Adobe's latest critical security update pushes scareware |work=ZDNet |date=March 2, 2012|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

===Customer data breach===
{{See also|Adobe Creative Cloud#Criticism}}

On October 3, 2013, the company initially revealed that 2.9&nbsp;million customers' sensitive and personal data was stolen in a security breach which included encrypted credit card information.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24392819 |title=Adobe in source code and customer data security breach|publisher=BBC |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe accounts hacked, data exposed for 2.9 million customers |url=https://www.dpreview.com/articles/2109059323/adobe-accounts-hacked-data-exposed-for-2-9-million-customers |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=DPReview}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news |url=https://www.cnet.com/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> Adobe later admitted that 38 million active users have been affected and the attackers obtained access to their IDs and encrypted passwords, as well as to many inactive Adobe accounts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adobe hack attack affected 38 million accounts &#124; Security & Privacy |url=https://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57609753-83/adobe-hack-attack-affected-38-million-accounts/ |access-date=May 23, 2014 |publisher=News.cnet.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-security-breach-actually-affected-closer-to-38-million-users/ |title=Adobe security breach actually affected closer to 38 million users|work=ZDNet}}</ref> The company did not make it clear if all the personal information was encrypted, such as email addresses and physical addresses, though [[data privacy|data]] [[privacy law]]s in 44 states require this information to be encrypted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.kioskea.net/news/24146-adobe-cyber-attack-was-a-lesson-for-corporations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022214739/http://en.kioskea.net/news/24146-adobe-cyber-attack-was-a-lesson-for-corporations|url-status = dead|archive-date=October 22, 2013|title=Adobe Cyber Attack was a Lesson for Corporations - Kioskea.net|date=October 2, 2013|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2013/10/09/how-safe-is-encrypted-card-data-adobe/ |title=After Security Breach Exposes 2.9 Million Adobe Users, How Safe Is Encrypted Credit Card Data? |magazine=Forbes |access-date=May 23, 2014 |first=Alex |last=Konrad}}</ref>

In late 2013 a 3.8 GB file stolen from Adobe and containing 152 million usernames, reversibly encrypted passwords and unencrypted password hints was posted on AnonNews.org.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=November 1, 2013 |title=How an epic blunder by Adobe could strengthen hand of password crackers |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2013/11/how-an-epic-blunder-by-adobe-could-strengthen-hand-of-password-crackers/ |access-date=May 23, 2014 |publisher=Arstechnica.com}}</ref> [[LastPass]], a password security firm, said that Adobe failed to use best practices for securing the passwords and has not [[Salt (cryptography)|salted]] them.<ref>{{cite news|last=Finkle |first=Jim |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-adobe-cyberattack-idUKBRE9A61D220131107 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415102333/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-adobe-cyberattack-idUKBRE9A61D220131107 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 15, 2016 |title=Trove of Adobe user data found on Web after breach: security firm |publisher=Uk.reuters.com |date=November 7, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csoonline.com/article/742570/adobe-confirms-stolen-passwords-were-encrypted-not-hashed|title=Adobe confirms stolen passwords were encrypted, not hashed – CSO Online|date=November 4, 2013|access-date=November 28, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001625/http://www.csoonline.com/article/742570/adobe-confirms-stolen-passwords-were-encrypted-not-hashed|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another security firm, [[Sophos]], showed that Adobe used a [[weak encryption]] method permitting the recovery of a lot of information with very little effort.<ref>{{cite web|author=Published on |url=https://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2013/11/05/adobe-breach-2/1 |title=Adobe data breach far worse than first claimed |publisher=bit-tech.net |date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> According to [[Information technology|IT]] expert Simon Bain, Adobe has failed its customers and 'should hang their heads in shame'.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Matt |url=http://business-technology.co.uk/2013/11/adobe-should-hang-their-heads-in-shame-following-cyber-attack/ |title=Adobe 'should hang their heads in shame' following cyber attack |publisher=Business Technology |date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203054029/http://business-technology.co.uk/2013/11/adobe-should-hang-their-heads-in-shame-following-cyber-attack/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Many of the credit cards were tied to the [[Creative Cloud]] software-by-subscription service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9243010/Adobe_hack_shows_subscription_software_vendors_lucrative_targets?pageNumber=1|title=Adobe hack shows subscription software vendors lucrative targets {{!}} Computerworld|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=October 8, 2013|archive-date=October 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007134314/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9243010/Adobe_hack_shows_subscription_software_vendors_lucrative_targets?pageNumber=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Adobe offered its affected US customers a free membership in a credit monitoring service, but no similar arrangements have been made for non-US customers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2013/10/massive-adobe-security-breach-change-your-passwords-now/ | title=Massive Adobe Security Breach: Change Your Passwords Now {{!}} Lifehacker Australia| date=October 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/10/adobe-treating-australians-as-lesser-beings-even-after-details-of-2-9-million-accounts-were-stolen/| title=Adobe Treating Australians As Lesser Beings Even After Details Of 2.9 Million Accounts Were Stolen {{!}} Gizmodo Australia| date=October 4, 2013| access-date=October 7, 2013| archive-date=October 7, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007012329/http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/10/adobe-treating-australians-as-lesser-beings-even-after-details-of-2-9-million-accounts-were-stolen/| url-status=dead}}</ref> When a [[data breach]] occurs in the US, penalties depend on the state where the victim resides, not where the company is based.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-adobe-cyberattack-idUKBRE9AO10R20131125|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415102019/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-adobe-cyberattack-idUKBRE9AO10R20131125|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2016|title=Adobe says breach notification taking longer than anticipated | date=November 25, 2013}}</ref>

After stealing the customers' data, cyber-thieves also accessed Adobe's [[source code]] repository, likely in mid-August 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.infoworld.com/t/application-security/adobe-fesses-hack-fudges-details-228189|title=Adobe fesses up to hack but fudges on details {{!}} Application security – InfoWorld|date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> Because [[Hacker (computer security)|hackers]] acquired copies of the source code of Adobe [[proprietary software|proprietary]] products,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/04/adobe-hacked_n_4042351.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004112712/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/04/adobe-hacked_n_4042351.html|url-status = dead|archive-date=October 4, 2013|title=BBC Adobe Hacked: Cyber-Thieves Accessed Credit Card Information Of Nearly 3 Million Customers | work=Huffington Post | date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> they could find and exploit any potential weaknesses in its security, computer experts warned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/04/technology/adobe-announces-security-breach.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/04/technology/adobe-announces-security-breach.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited|title=Adobe Announces Security Breach {{!}} The New York Times | first=David | last=Kocieniewski|work=The New York Times |date=October 3, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Security researcher [[Alex Holden]], chief information security officer of Hold Security, characterized this Adobe breach, which affected [[Adobe Acrobat|Acrobat]], [[ColdFusion]] and numerous other applications, as "one of the worst in US history".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gigaom.com/2013/10/07/ruh-roh-adobe-breach-is-just-the-beginning-researcher-says/ |title=Ruh-roh: Adobe breach is just the beginning, researcher says |publisher=Gigaom.com |date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624192534/https://gigaom.com/2013/10/07/ruh-roh-adobe-breach-is-just-the-beginning-researcher-says/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Adobe also announced that hackers stole parts of the source code of [[Photoshop]], which according to commentators could allow programmers to copy its engineering techniques<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24740873 |title=BBC News – Adobe hack: At least 38 million accounts breached |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=October 3, 2013|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> and would make it easier to pirate Adobe's expensive products.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-levin/why-the-adobe-hack-scares_b_4277064.html |title=Why the Adobe Hack Scares Me – And Why It Should Scare You &#124; Adam Levin |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date=November 1, 2013|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Adobe source code breach – is it a gateway for new malware and exploits? |url=https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/10/05/adobe-source-code-breach-is-it-a-gateway-for-new-malware-and-exploits/ |website=Naked Security |date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812095613/https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/10/05/adobe-source-code-breach-is-it-a-gateway-for-new-malware-and-exploits/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Published on a server of a Russian-speaking [[hacker group]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2054160/adobes-source-code-was-parked-on-hackers-unprotected-server.html| title=Adobe's source code was parked on hackers' unprotected server {{!}} PCWorld| date=October 11, 2013}}</ref> the "disclosure of encryption algorithms, other security schemes, and software vulnerabilities can be used to bypass protections for individual and corporate data" and may have opened the gateway to new generation [[zero-day attack]]s. Hackers already used ColdFusion exploits to make off with usernames and encrypted passwords of [[PR Newswire]]'s customers, which has been tied to the Adobe security breach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/10/18/breach-at-pr-newswire-linked-to-adobe-exploit/|website=nakedsecurity.sophos.com|title=Breach at PR Newswire linked to Adobe exploit|date=October 18, 2013|access-date=May 4, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724234148/https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/10/18/breach-at-pr-newswire-linked-to-adobe-exploit/|url-status=dead}}</ref> They also used a ColdFusion exploit to breach Washington state court and expose up to 200,000 Social Security numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hackers breached Washington state court with Adobe ColdFusion flaw |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/hackers-breached-washington-state-court-with-adobe-coldfusion-flaw/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=ZDNET |language=en}}</ref>

===Anti-competitive practices===
In 1994, Adobe acquired Aldus Corp., a software vendor that sold FreeHand, a competing product.<ref name="law360"/><ref name="twff"/> [[Adobe FreeHand|FreeHand]] was direct competition to [[Adobe Illustrator]], Adobe's flagship vector-graphics editor.<ref name="law360">{{cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/243049/adobe-hit-with-class-action-over-freehand-app|title=Adobe Hit With Class Action Over FreeHand App|first=Dan|last=Rivoli|date=May 3, 2011|publisher=Law360}}</ref><ref name="twff"/> The [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) intervened and forced Adobe to sell FreeHand back to Altsys, and also banned Adobe from buying back FreeHand or any similar program for the next 10 years (1994–2004).<ref name="law360"/><ref name="twff"/> Altsys was then bought by [[Macromedia]], which released versions 5 to 11.<ref name="twff"/> When Adobe acquired Macromedia in December 2005, it stalled development of [[Adobe FreeHand|FreeHand]] in 2007, effectively rendering it obsolete.<ref name="law360"/><ref name="cwff">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/it-vendors/adobe-sued-by-freehand-user-group-3280625/|title=Adobe sued by FreeHand user group|date=May 1, 2011|publisher=[[Computerworld]] UK}}</ref> With FreeHand and Illustrator, Adobe controlled the only two products that competed in the professional illustration program market for Macintosh operating systems.<ref name="law360"/>

In 2011, a group of 5,000 FreeHand graphic designers convened under the banner ''Free FreeHand'', and filed a civil antitrust complaint in the US District Court for the Northern District of California against Adobe.<ref name="law360"/><ref name="twff">{{cite web|url=http://www.techworld.com/news/apps/adobe-accused-of-software-monopoly-not-by-apple-3222555/|title=Adobe accused of software monopoly (not by Apple)|first=Lexton|last=Snol|date=May 5, 2010|publisher=Tech World|access-date=April 15, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816231936/http://www.techworld.com/news/apps/adobe-accused-of-software-monopoly-not-by-apple-3222555/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="quarkff">{{cite web|url=http://www.planetquark.com/2011/05/05/adobe-sued-for-killing-freehand/|title=Adobe Sued for Killing FreeHand|first=Jay|last=Nelson|date=May 3, 2011|publisher=Planet Quark|access-date=April 15, 2016|archive-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425214709/http://www.planetquark.com/2011/05/05/adobe-sued-for-killing-freehand/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="macff">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1159949/freehand_lawsuit.html|title=FreeHand users sue Adobe for 'killing' the application|date=May 1, 2011|magazine=[[Macworld]]}}</ref> The suit alleged that:

<blockquote>''Adobe has violated federal and state antitrust laws by abusing its dominant position in the professional vector graphic illustration software market [...] Adobe has engaged in a series of exclusionary and anti-competitive acts and strategies designed to kill FreeHand, the dominant competitor to Adobe's Illustrator software product, instead of competing on the basis of product merit according to the principals of free market capitalism.''<ref name="law360"/><ref name="quarkff"/><ref name="macff"/></blockquote>

Adobe had no response to the claims and the lawsuit was eventually settled.<ref name="law360"/><ref name="cwff"/> The FreeHand community believes Adobe should release the product to an open-source community if it cannot update it internally.<ref name="twff"/>

{{as of|2010}}, on its FreeHand product page, Adobe stated, "While we recognize FreeHand has a loyal customer base, we encourage users to migrate to the new Adobe Illustrator CS4 software which supports both PowerPC and Intel–based Macs and Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista." {{as of|2016}}, the FreeHand page no longer exists; instead, it simply redirects to the Illustrator page. Adobe's software FTP server still contains a directory for FreeHand, but it is empty.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-15 |title=Re: Folder does not appear to point to site |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/muse-discussions/folder-does-not-appear-to-point-to-site/m-p/6590333#M3934 |access-date=2023-09-10 |website= |language=en}}</ref>

=== Cancellation fees ===
In April 2021, Adobe received criticism from Twitter users for the company's cancellation fees after a customer shared a tweet showing they had been charged a $291.45 cancellation fee for their Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Many also showed their cancellation fees for Adobe Creative Cloud, with this leading to many encouraging [[Online piracy|piracy]] of Adobe products and/or purchase of alternatives with lower prices or using [[free and open-source]] software instead. Furthermore, there have been reports that with changing subscriptions it is possible to avoid paying this fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/adobe-cancelation-fee-twitter-users-argue-morally-correct-pirate-software-1583146 |title=$291 Adobe Cancelation Fee Sees Twitter Users Argue it's 'Morally Correct' to Pirate Software |work=Newsweek |last=Sulleyman |first=Aatif |date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413110235/https://www.newsweek.com/adobe-cancelation-fee-twitter-users-argue-morally-correct-pirate-software-1583146 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.laptopmag.com/news/adobe-cancellation-fee-sparks-twitter-rage-how-to-get-yours-waived |title=Adobe cancellation fee sparks Twitter rage — how to get yours waived |work=LaptopMag |last=Gedeon |first=Kimberly |date=14 April 2021 |access-date=2 March 2022}}</ref>

The [[U.S. Department of Justice]] and the FTC filed a lawsuit against Adobe and two of its executives in June 2024, alleging that the company's deceptive subscription practices and cancellation policies violated the [[Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act]]. According to the lawsuit, the company purportedly used small text disclosures, optional input fields, and complex web of links to obscure a concealed early termination fee. This fee reportedly amounted to fifty percent of the remaining value of annual contracts for users who chose to cancel early in the first year, resulting in significant penalties. Customers who tried to cancel services by contacting customer service faced obstacles, including dropped calls and multiple transfers between representatives; others continued to be billed by Adobe, under the mistaken belief that they had successfully ended their subscriptions.<ref name="legal">{{Cite news |last=Marcus |first=Josh |date=June 17, 2024 |title=Adobe sued by DOJ and FTC for 'hidden' fees that make it 'absurdly' hard to cancel Photoshop subscriptions |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/doj-ftc-adobe-photoshop-lawsuit-b2564294.html |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Khristopher J. |date=June 17, 2024 |title=Adobe steered consumers to pricey services and made it hard to cancel, feds say |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/adobe-ftc-federal-lawsuit-cancel-subscription/ |work=[[CBS MoneyWatch]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCabe |first=David |date=June 17, 2024 |title=U.S. Sues Adobe Over Hard-to-Cancel Subscriptions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/17/technology/us-adobe-subscription-lawsuit.html |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=June 17, 2024 |title=US sues Photoshop maker Adobe for hiding fees, making it difficult to cancel |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-sues-adobe-over-subscription-plan-disclosures-2024-06-17/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619030855/https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-sues-adobe-over-subscription-plan-disclosures-2024-06-17/ |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |access-date=June 20, 2024 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In March 2026, Adobe agreed to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that the company failed to clearly disclose cancellation fees associated with its subscription plans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=2026-03-13 |title=Adobe will pay $75 million to settle US cancellation fee lawsuit |url=https://www.theverge.com/tech/894555/adobe-75-million-doj-settlement-subscriptions |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2024 terms of service update ===
On June 5, 2024, Adobe updated its [[terms of service]] (TOS) for Photoshop stating "we may access your content through both manual and automated methods, such as for content review." This sparked outrage with Adobe users, as the new terms implied that the users' work would be used to train Adobe's generative AI, even if the work was under a [[non-disclosure agreement]] (NDA).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nover |first=Scott |date=2024-06-07 |title=Adobe Swears It's Not Training Its A.I. on Your Photoshops |url=https://slate.com/technology/2024/06/adobe-terms-use-backlash-licensing-royalty-generative-ai-creative-cloud.html |access-date=2024-06-10 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=2024-06-07 |title=Adobe's TOS "update" isn't the problem — it's trust |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/7/24173838/adobe-tos-update-firefly-generative-ai-trust |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

Adobe responded the following day clarifying that it will not use user data to train generative AI or take users work as its own; however, it neglected to respond to the part in the TOS that gives Adobe the ability to view or use work that is contracted under an NDA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Adobe Communications |title=A clarification on Adobe Terms of Use {{!}} Adobe Blog |url=https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2024/06/06/clarification-adobe-terms-of-use |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=blog.adobe.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Companies}}

* [[Adobe MAX]]
* [[Digital rights management]] (DRM)
* [[List of acquisitions by Adobe]]
* ''[[United States v. Elcom Ltd.]]''

==References==
{{Reflist|group=|refs=|colwidth=30em}}

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