A Proactive Approach

A common misconception exists that activation is related to registration. With Adobe's solution, registration is optional for customers who want to receive information about product updates and special offers. Adobe's system does not collect, transmit, or use any personal information, including hardware configuration. In fact, the data for activation and registration resides on separate Adobe servers, and there is no connection between the two.

What Adobe products are affected?

Adobe's activation process is implemented in the Windows version of Photoshop CS, the latest upgrade of Photoshop. In time, Adobe's product activation solution will be rolled out to all applicable products and geographies to ensure a consistent, optimal user experience across Adobe products.

How is Adobe's implementation different from other software vendors?

Adobe's activation servers have been programmed with business logic that takes customers' typical usage patterns into account. Our activation process supports installation on two computers, provides for a 30-day grace period so customers can activate when it's most convenient, and offers a choice between Internet and telephone activation. If a customer replaces one of the computers, the server is smart enough to assume this is a replacement computer, and allows the activation.

Why did Adobe wait until now to add activation?

Adobe has long recognized the need to eliminate unauthorized use of its popular software products. But we were unable to accomplish this in a way that balanced intellectual property protection with customers' needs and habits. The introduction, refinement, and customer acceptance of activation technology over the past few years allowed us to introduce product activation in Adobe Photoshop CS for Windows.

How will activation affect volume licensing?

Adobe's product activation only applies to individual retail versions of Photoshop CS for Windows. It is not part of Adobe's volume licensing programs.

- Drew McManus

Drew McManus is Adobe's director of worldwide anti-piracy. He can be