Microsoft avoids PDF suit from Adobe 6 June, 2006 By Paul Weinberg

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Users will not be able to freely save their files from any of their Office applications into PDF format if they purchase the new Office.

Adobe, which developed and owns PDF, might have taken Microsoft to court and thereby potentially hurt its launch plans if the format had been made available for free, stated IT industry analyst Issie Rabinovitch.

"Apparently, Microsoft got wind of legal problems with Adobe and it seemed that Adobe would mount a legal challenge. Microsoft was fearful of that interfering with the delivery date of Office 2007. So they decided rather than risk that, they would remove it from the standard configuration."

Nonetheless, a free download of PDF off the Microsoft web site is still possible for users. In addition, free PDF downloads exist on the open source alternative Open Office, which is also available in a commercial form from Sun's open source StarOffice.

"The worst case scenario for Microsoft is that its Web site gets shut down," Rabinovitch suggested.

So far, both Adobe and Microsoft are not talking beyond their issue press releases, which have only helped to confuse matters.

"As a matter of policy we do not comment on discussions with customers, partners or competitors," stated Adobe officially in an email via its public relations company.

"However, in response to allegations made by Microsoft to the press, Adobe has made no determination to take legal action against Microsoft. Further, with regard to any discussions we have had with Microsoft about Office and Vista, our sole motivation is to maintain a fair, competitive landscape in the software industry," Adobe added.

In a sign of frustration, Microsoft officially stated that "we have taken a number of significant steps to accommodate Adobe, and offered many proposals in an effort to avoid a dispute, but we have now reached a point where we feel what they are asking for is not in the best interest of our customers."

What Adobe's demands entail is not clear from comments from either vendor.

Furthermore, Microsoft has indicated that it will give OEMs the option to remove XPS [PDF] from Windows. "Removing features that customers want from popular products is not a good outcome. Customers should know, however, that even though we are planning to take the PDF feature out of Office to accommodate Adobe we will offer this capability through a free download."

Meanwhile, another IT industry analyst and consultant, Richard Morochove, stated that Microsoft's move may stem more from an effort to placate anti-trust oriented regulators in the European Commission than from any fear of Adobe.

"I have no idea whether Adobe will take legal action against Microsoft. However, if they do, I suspect they will be on shaky ground, considering they permit other companies to offer no-charge PDF converters. I'm not sure why Adobe considers Microsoft to be any different, other than the fact the software giant has deep pockets."

Meanwhile, Microsoft has also been quick to legally defend its own file formats against other parties, Rabinovitch explained.

"Microsoft has been at the other end of the stick in issues like this."