Adobe DRM, developed by Adobe Systems, aims to restrict the use of copyrighted material, such as ebooks and PDF documents, by authorized users only. Adobe DRM combines encryption and access controls to protect content against unauthorized usage; libraries also employ it for controlling access to purchased or licensed digital material.
Publishers utilize it to control access to their ebooks and digital content, such as digital magazines. When someone purchases an ebook through one of these publishers who utilizes this technology, restrictions may be set as to its usage; for instance, one could only print/read/use/print only specific amounts.
Adobe DRM can also be used to control access to PDF documents. A publisher might employ it to restrict printing rights of PDFs only to authorized readers; nonetheless, Adobe DRM remains popular because of its compatibility with multiple devices and platforms, as well as being relatively straightforward for setup and use.
Adobe DRM is not without its critics; some argue it has failed in protecting digital content from being illegally shared, while others view it as too restrictive, restricting how users lawfully access digital assets.
Some have also noticed some drawbacks of DRM content protection: For instance, it can be challenging to remove DRM once applied – making transferring content difficult from old devices or software onto new ones; also not compatible with all ebook readers and devices.
Adobe DRM remains an attractive choice for publishers looking to protect digital content. Despite these drawbacks, however, Adobe DRM remains popular with publishers looking for protection for digital files.