Realising the importance attached to the PDF dispute between itself and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT); Adobe Sytems (ADBE) has posted a Corporate Statement titled "Adobe and Microsoft "on its Press Web site.
The statement provides 3 key points about Adobe's perspective on the PDF dispute:
- Adobe is amongst the largest developers of Commercial Software for Windows platform
- The core issue for Adobe is not the competition between PDF and XPS or Microsoft's interest in bundling PDF in Windows and Office but the Protection of Open Standards
- Adobe is concerned that Microsoft Corp. would use its Monopoly and do a Java on the PDF standard. Embrace it and Microsoftize it so that the open standard then becomes a Windows centric standard held captive by Microsoft -- thereby fragmenting the open PDF standard.
Adobe's CEO Bruce Chizen in past has openly called Microsoft a Monopoly. In an interview to CNET regarding competition with Microsoft he had said:
As long as we do what we do well, as long as we continue to execute, we'll be very successful, despite Microsoft's monopoly
The statement goes on to say that Adobe has made no final decision on legal action on Microsoft.
Here are key parts of Adobe's official statement on the PDF dispute with Microsoft:
Microsoft has been an important partner to Adobe...While we typically do not publicly discuss our negotiations with customers, partners or competitors, Microsoft recently made a decision to share with press the fact that talks with Adobe were ongoing. Therefore, we feel it is important to provide additional background and clarification on a few of the resulting issues...
Adobe has been in discussions with Microsoft for some time, sharing concerns regarding features and functionality in the upcoming releases of Vista (the next version of Microsoft’s operating system) and Microsoft Office. While much of the press coverage to date has centered on disputes over PDF and XPS (a competitive technology to PDF) in MS Office and Vista, the real issue is the protection of open standards.
Adobe is committed to open standards. Adobe publishes the complete PDF specification and makes it available for free, without restrictions, without royalties, to anyone who cares to use it. Because we license the PDF specification so openly, it has become a de facto standard...While the specification is available publicly, customers expect Adobe to ensure that the format does not become fragmented and that competing implementations of PDF do not undermine what customers have come to expect in terms of reliable viewing and printing of PDF documents across platforms and browsers.
Microsoft has demonstrated a practice of using its monopoly power to undermine cross platform technologies and constrain innovation that threatens its monopolies. Microsoft’s approach has been to “embrace and extend” standards that do not come from Microsoft. Adobe’s concern is that Microsoft will fragment and possibly degrade existing and established standards, including PDF, while using its monopoly power to introduce Microsoft-controlled alternatives – such as XPS. The long-term impact of this kind of behavior is that consumers are ultimately left with fewer choices.
Adobe has made no determination to take legal action against Microsoft – any speculation on this matter is just that.
...In our discussions with Microsoft, our motivation has been to maintain a fair, competitive landscape in the software industry. Any suggestions to the contrary are unfounded.
