News

US industry bodies have lambasted software house Adobe for seeming to build favouritism for printer FedEx Kinko's into its Acrobat product line.

The new version of the software contains an option to send files direct to the company's online printing service, sidelining rivals in a move described by the Print Industries America (PIA) and Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) federations as "unacceptable".

PIA/GATF president and chief executive Michael Makin praised Adobe for its work in transforming the print industry, but said: "When it was discovered that Adobe had made the decision to include a 'send to FedEx Kinko's' button in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader, we felt terribly betrayed by the company that has been supported by the printing industry.

"We understand the need to make the workflow process as efficient as possible, but Adobe's decision to give up its neutrality and try to align its business with one printer is unacceptable."

Makin appealed to Adobe chief executive Bruce Chizen to deal with the problem and said it is already working with Adobe at a senior level.

It hopes to reach a situation where all interested parties can negotiate a partnership with Adobe, giving Acrobat users a choice in where to send files to be professionally printed.