Printing Industries Association of Australia believes a solution can be found to resolve the international controversy that has erupted around Adobe’s online collaboration with the US based FedEx Kinko’s. The move involves the inclusion of a button in the latest Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader 8.1 connecting users to FedEx Kinko’s printing services.

Printing Industries CEO Philip Andersen said he was surprised and disappointed with Adobe’s alignment with one international print provider at the expense of tens of thousands of print companies globally who, together with their customers, use Acrobat as a defacto industry standard.

“Adobe’s announcement seems to focus more  on new production flow capability of its software without recognising the negative impact such a narrow collaboration could have on its international printing industry customer base who use Adobe products and are competitors to FedEx Kinko’s either in the USA or elsewhere,” he said.

“Adobe’s own statement tells us that more than half a billion copies of Adobe Reader have been distributed worldwide on 23 software platforms in 26 languages, so this is a very significant move.”

Mr Andersen said that while it appeared the intention was to direct document printing to FedEx Kinko’s within the USA, the Acrobat button also accesses information on the FedEx Kinko’s website directing clients to international offices in nine other countries including Australia.

“We have contacted Adobe to both in Australia and in the USA expressing the concerns of our industry and are awaiting a formal response.

“We have also been in touch with our sister organisation, Printing Industries America (PIA) who share our concerns. They will be meeting with Adobe officials in the US soon and will also add our concerns to those of US printers.

“Adobe has brought much value to our industry over many years and has been well supported in return. We are hopeful Adobe will realise the error of aligning itself with one printer and resolve the situation as a matter or urgency,” Mr Andersen said.

Adobe Kinko's Partnership (pdf - 52.3 kb) Adobe announces its partnership with FedEx Kinko's.

Printing Industries letter to Adobe (pdf - 32 kb) Letter from Printing Industries CEO Philip Andersen to Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen.

Printing Industries America Media Release (pdf - 31.6 kb) Printing Industries US sister organisation's media release on the Adobe FedEx Kinko's partnership.