In the world of graphic design, Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite is king. Not only does this popular software include programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, it makes these programs available to users across the spectrum with convenient subscription options.
Despite the simplicity of Adobe’s service-based platform, not all users are happy with recent updates. Users are criticizing newer versions of Photoshop as being slow, bloated, or lacking in features they need for work. Because of this, they’re sticking with older editions of Creative Cloud software — refusing the mandatory updates pushed by Adobe.
Despite how common this practice is, proponents might be in for a rude awakening. Adobe has announced that it’s discontinuing support for older editions of Creative Cloud. It’s alerting users that running these expired programs might put them in legal hot water — a move that’s causing widespread backlash towards the popular software developer. If you are using an older version of Photoshop, you’ll want to keep reading and find out if you’re affected.
Why is Adobe discontinuing support for older editions of Creative Cloud?
When developers drop support for software, this means they’re no longer serving updates or technical help for their product. This is normal for programs at the end of their lifespan, and in software with frequent version changes and updates, older editions are quickly left behind.
Adobe releases updates for a variety of purposes — be it bug fixes, security patches, new design, or new features. In the case of many Creative Cloud users, however, some of the product’s most popular features were altered or removed in recent versions. This has prompted them to ignore warnings to update, which keeps their program in its current form.
In a move surprising many, Adobe announced that it would no longer support older versions of creative cloud, and users “may be at risk of potential claims of infringement by third parties” if they continued to use it. According to reports from AppleInsider, the company hasn’t fully explained why it’s dropping the older software — instead pointing to “ongoing litigation” as a factor.
Am I at risk for using older versions of Creative Cloud?
We reached out to Adobe for comment on the matter, and it provided the following statement:
“Adobe recently discontinued certain older versions of Creative Cloud applications. Customers using those versions have been notified that they are no longer licensed to use them and were provided guidance on how to upgrade to the latest authorized versions. Unfortunately, customers who continue to use or deploy older, unauthorized versions of Creative Cloud may face potential claims of infringement by third parties.”
While this doesn’t shed too much light on what’s going on behind the scenes, Adobe has provided guidance on how to avoid trouble when using its software. In follow-up messages, Adobe emphasized that third-parties could potentially claim infringement, which means the issue most likely doesn’t lie with Adobe itself.
Nevertheless, if you’re using older editions of Creative Cloud, we’d recommend updating to the latest edition. As it stands, if you’re paying for a subscription, your monthly fees won’t change and your product access will remain the same. By updating, you’ll be current with the most recent licenses and have access to support you wouldn’t have with older versions.
As aggravating as it can be to lose features in software, it’s a smarter idea to stick to the most recent versions of programs you use. Newer versions typically have more bug fixes and security patches taken care of under the hood. On top of this, any legal or licensing issues would have been hammered out behind the scenes.
When it comes to licensing agreements, ignoring the warnings can put you in a world of hurt. Keeping up to date is the best way to protect yourself, get support, and stay under the radar.