[infowarrior] - Adobe snaps up document security tools

[Richard Forno]

Adobe snaps up document security tools

By Alorie Gilbert
http://news.com.com/Adobe+snaps+up+document+security+tools/2100-1012_3-60246
74.html

Story last modified Mon Jan 09 11:22:00 PST 2006

Adobe Systems is adding new document protection mechanisms to its business
workflow software with an acquisition announced on Monday.

The company has acquired FileLine Digital Rights Management software from
privately-held Navisware, based in Raleigh, N.C., for an undisclosed sum.
The copy-restriction program is designed to guard business files, especially
engineering documents, from intellectual property thieves.

Adobe, based in San Jose, Calif., plans to incorporate the program into its
LiveCycle Document Services software, a line of server software for updating
and routing PDF documents. In addition to safeguarding Adobe PDF files, the
FileLine program is also designed to protect Microsoft Office and
computer-aided design documents, the company said.

The newly bought software helps businesses restrict how, when and who can
use such documents. It also features an audit log that shows everyone who
has accessed documents and indicates improper usage or disclosure. The
program enables version control, to prevent the distribution of outdated
documents, as well.

Adobe has continually added new capabilities to LiveCycle, a key product in
its effort to increase sales to businesses and compete with Microsoft and
IBM on that front. Adobe updated the product in September with workflow
design technology it purchased in 2004.

By adding document protection for Microsoft Office files to its bag of
tricks, Adobe encroaches further upon Microsoft's turf. The company's recent
acquisition of Macromedia, which makes Web application development tools,
has also intensified that rivalry.

The company plans to complete its integration of FileLine into LiveCycle
Document Services by the end of they year. LiveCycle Document Services
starts at $65,000 per server. Adobe has not yet disclosed pricing for the
FileLine product.




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