{"id":9172,"date":"2019-06-10T14:21:46","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T14:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.investintech.com\/resources\/blog\/?p=9172"},"modified":"2019-06-10T14:21:47","modified_gmt":"2019-06-10T14:21:47","slug":"eula-impacts-adobe-lesson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.investintech.com\/resources\/blog\/archives\/9172-eula-impacts-adobe-lesson.html","title":{"rendered":"What Users Can Learn About EULAs From Adobe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"I<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In a controversial move last month, Adobe announced a warning that any Creative Cloud subscribers using older versions of the apps is liable to get sued by third parties<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to news stories, the reason seems to be due to legal issues between Adobe and Dolby Labs<\/a>. In short, there are claims that Adobe included Dolby technology in software and subscription packages<\/a> without paying the appropriate royalties. As a result, Adobe\u2019s users are no longer licensed to use the infringing software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This incident underscores some major points about users, software apps, and End User License Agreements (EULAs) that connect them, which deserve some attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a software user, it\u2019s important to think about what it means to your usage and ownership of the tools you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Power of a EULA and Your Software<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first point we can agree on is to never underestimate the power of a EULA<\/a>.  A EULA is important. It\u2019s considered a legally binding contract between you and the software company in which you essentially can\u2019t negotiate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, a EULA can change. The licensor can modify it as developments require, so the powers of the EULA as you knew it at the time of purchase, may not apply down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this digital age, it\u2019s easy to forego reading anything that requires more than a minute. However, don\u2019t be fooled by a single click confirming you\u2019ve read the legalese. You can easily be trapped into agreements that aren\u2019t in your favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you know what you\u2019re agreeing to? More often than not, you only read the fine print in those after-the-fact moment when some dispute arises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To protect yourself, always check in with the EULA of any software you use on a regular basis. If you get an email notice or see a website popup that something in the company\u2019s licensing agreement has changed, don\u2019t ignore it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to understand what changes were made and how they apply to you specifically. Staying well informed will put you in a better position to avoid future issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing a Subscription<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Subscribing<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the way in which software is purchased nowadays plays a major factor in how users treat and perceive EULAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The modern online subscription model makes it easy for you to use heavy and advanced features at a cheaper price, but only for a certain period of time. Essentially, this translates into renting the software that comes with different conditions and terms that may differ from full license purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subscriptions make it impossible for you to actually own the software in full. The software is yours only so far as it belongs to the company, as seen in Adobe\u2019s case. Their users are now at risk for being sued. Because of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription model, their users have become collateral damage in an ongoing lawsuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if the software you want to purchase has a subscription option, take some time to fully consider the advantages and if it really is ideal for you. Oftentimes, it can be a great option. Subscription models can stripped down, simplified and optimized for one time uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our subscription option, for example, are based on a fixed 30-day period and you get all the software\u2019s features fully unlocked, hassle-free. You know what to expect with one purchase and it doesn\u2019t complicate any ownership rights later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using and Licensing Older Versions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a user yourself, you may understand the many reasons behind using older software versions. Doing so gives you the ability to keep your favorite features from being replaced and saves you the bloat typical of new updates. If we like a tool that serves us well, we\u2019ll keep using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anger caused by Adobe\u2019s move is understandable when users aren\u2019t allowed to use the older versions – version 18 and earlier of Creative Cloud – which they\u2019ve already paid for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some have interpreted this as a strategy by Adobe to force its users to upgrade, whether they like it or not. Yet, users shouldn\u2019t have to upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, some of our own users are big fans of older versions and are still continuing to use them. Each Able2Extract license<\/a> we sell is version specific and perpetual (lifetime). In addition, we always have the installation links available upon request should users switch computers but want to stay with an older version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When purchasing software, find out about the company\u2019s licensing terms. Knowing if you have lifetime access to the software you buy can make all the difference to your work and peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EULA Reading Tips to Remember<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Read<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The next time you think about investing in some heavy duty software, think about the conditions under which you\u2019re agreeing to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some tips you can use to help you deal with a EULA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n