Why does Adobe hate Microsoft so?

Posted Jun 6th 2006 5:02PM by Sarah Gilbert
Filed under: Products and Services, Law, Newspapers, Competitive Strategy, Microsoft (MSFT), Insider Blogging

Adobe's behavior with regards to Microsoft's attempt to include the ability to create PDF files out of Microsoft Office documents is, according to the Washington Post, "at best arrogance, at worst price collusion -- a violation of basic antitrust law." First Adobe told the world at large that it should feel free to utilize the company's PDF standard. And then Adobe let a number of other word processors do just that -- including, notably, Microsoft Word's biggest competitor, WordPerfect.

Then Adobe did a mid-stream switcheroo, and told Microsoft that if it wanted to include PDF creation ability in Microsoft Office 2007, the software manufacturer needed to charge separately for the feature. If not? A lawsuit would naturally follow.

Microsoft did the same thing I would have done: pulled PDF support from Office. And the Post's Rob Pegoraro wishes "that the bad old Microsoft would reemerge for this one occasion and tell Adobe to go pound sand," while admitting that many analysts with a sense of history remember that Microsoft has a habit of somehow poisoning standards when it incorporates them into its software packages.

He's not the only one who agrees. In CNET's "Buzz Out Loud" podcast with Tom, Molly and Veronica, the ladies are "shocked at Adobe!" and say, "yes, you're hearing right: we believe that Microsoft is being bullied." Stan Beer from ITWire says, "For once, Microsoft would appear to have the user community on its side. However, when Adobe gets round to telling its side of the story, that may change."

Molly from CNET sums it up: "it feels a little like blackmail!" and makes the strangest analogy ever when discussing Adobe's threat to bring in the EC (something about a Barbie and your little brother).

Is Microsoft now the little sister whose big brother Adobe is picking on, umm, her? Wow. I know I'm beating the same drum over and over but ... this just goes to show you that Microsoft's no longer the Evil Empire.

Tags: adobe, adobe and microsoft, adobe microsoft, adobe pdf, adobe professional, AdobeAndMicrosoft, AdobeMicrosoft, AdobePdf, AdobeProfessional, create pdf, CreatePdf, microsoft adobe, microsoft office 2007, MicrosoftAdobe, MicrosoftOffice2007, office 2007, Office2007, pdf, pdf file, pdf writer, PdfFile, PdfWriter, vista