Letters this week have gone out to some Adobe customers stating, “We have recently discontinued certain older versions of Creative Cloud applications and as a result, under the terms of our agreement, you are no longer licensed to use them….Please be aware that should you use the discontinued version(s), you may be at risk of potential claims of infringement by third parties.“? Here’s one version of the letter. Adobe is not commenting on why this change has been made or what they mean by “risk of potential claims of infringement by third parties.”
Below I’ll sort out what this means for you, whether you have received the letter at this point or not.
Who This Creative Cloud Versions Policy Change Applies To
The letter states that Lightroom Classic CC 6, CC 5, and CC 4 are no longer authorized and that Classic CC 7, 8 and 6.1.4 downloaded after 3/13/19 are.
Here’s what this really means:
Authorized: Lightroom CC 2015.14 downloaded after 3/13/19, Lightroom Classic 7.x and 8.x
Unauthorized: the subscription (CC) version of Lightroom 5.7 and 5.7.1, CC 2015.1-2015.13, and CC 2015.14 downloaded on or before 3/13/19. (There was no subscription version of Lightroom 4.)
To see what version you’re using, in Lightroom go to Help>System Info.
Who This Does Not Apply To
This does not apply to users of:
- Perpetual versions of Lightroom (Lightroom 6, 5, etc.)
- Lightroom Classic (CC) 7.x and 8.x
- The cloud-based Lightroom (CC) 1.x and 2.x
Note that if you’re using a perpetual version of Lightroom but you have used a subscription version in the past, you may technically still be using the subscription version – go to Help>System Info and check the version.
At the same time this is happening, Adobe has eliminated easy access to downloads of perpetual versions older than 6.14. This however does not mean that they aren’t authorized. If you need to reinstall your perpetual software and therefore need to download it, and if you didn’t purchase it from Adobe or don’t see it in your account on Adobe.com, contact Adobe Customer Support for a download link. You will need to provide proof of purchase or proof of ownership (valid serial number).
What’s Going On
Due to some legal reason that Adobe has not explained, for most subscription (CC) applications, including Lightroom, from now on only the latest two versions will be authorized. Adobe is currently being sued by Dolby for unpaid licensing fees, so some are speculating that this move by Adobe is related to that (Dolby products have been bundled within Adobe apps.)
What You Need to Do If You’re Affected
To be on legally licensed software, use the Creative Cloud app to upgrade to Lightroom Classic 7.x or 8.x (watch my video tutorial on how to upgrade to Classic), or switch to the simplified cloud-based Lightroom application).
If your operating system doesn’t support one of the newer Classic versions, there unfortunately is no alternative – if you decide that you need to cancel your subscription because you can’t upgrade, Customer Support can waive the early termination fee. Note that Adobe is not removing the unauthorized application(s) from your computer or locking you out of them – they are absolving themselves of all responsibility for your usage of them.
If you’re using Lightroom CC 2015.14 and you downloaded it on or before 3/13/19 (likely, since it was released in December, 2017), in order to be on licensed software, use the Creative Cloud app to uninstall and reinstall CC 2015 (or upgrade to Classic.)
If you need to switch from a subscription version to a perpetual version that you’ve previously purchased, you’ll have to go through a process to get your computer to forget that you were on the subscription:
- Run all available Adobe uninstallers, this includes Acrobat, Reader, Elements, Creative Suite, and Creative Cloud – Uninstall or remove Creative Cloud apps
- Download and run the CC Cleaner Tool – Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems
- Install your perpetual software.
Other Adobe Software Affected
|
Product
|
Authorized Major Product Versions & all dot releases
|
Unauthorized Major Product Versions & all dot releases
|
|---|---|---|
| SpeedGrade | This product has been discontinued. | CC 9, CC 8, CC 7, 6 |
| Premiere Pro | CC 13, CC 12 | CC 11, CC 10, CC 9, CC 8, CC 7, 6 |
| Prelude | CC 8, CC 7 | CC 6, CC 5, CC 4, CC 3, CC 2, 1 |
| Photoshop | CC 20, CC 19, CC 18.1.7 | CC 18.1.6 and prior, CC 17, CC 16, CC 15, CC 14, 13 |
| Media Encoder | CC 13, CC 12 | CC 11, CC 10, CC 9, CC 8, CC 7, 6 |
| InDesign | CC 14, CC 13, CC 12, CC 11, CC 10 | CC 9, 8 |
| Captivate | Captivate 2019, Captivate 2017 (10.0.1) | Captivate 2017 (10.0.0) |
| Bridge | CC 9, CC 8 | CC 7, CC 6 |
| Audition | CC 12, CC 11 | CC 10, CC 9, CC 8, CC 7, CC 6, 5 |
| Animate | CC 19, CC 18 | CC 16, CC 15, CC 14, CC 13, 12 |
| After Effects | CC 16, CC 15 | CC 14, CC 13, CC 12, 11 |
What If You Have Questions or Need Downloads?
You can post questions to me in the comments below, but I won’t be able to dig into specific download and installation issues or speak to the legal risk. Adobe Customer Support is standing by to address questions (though don’t count on answers on your legal questions). Contact them through Adobe.com (or if you can’t figure out how to speak to them, here is their list of phone numbers.)
Here is the download and installation help page that covers common questions and issues.
Yikes! I have a bunch of versions!
~Tom Upton
I feel that the day is soon coming in which I will no longer be able to use my stand-alone copy of LR 6.14. I purchased a disc copy (LR6), as I like knowing that I have the disk in hand. If there was a 6.14 on disk, I probably got that too.
I’m an occasional (amateur) user of this product, and I guess that there are others out there like me as well. I shouldn’t need to be paying some corporate giant a subscription fee for occasional use of their product, and yet I sense that this is what Adobe is planning for me.
Every time Adobe asks me to fill out a survey, I let them know that they should better support us amateurs. Offer a simpler system for a flat fee, kind of like an Elements but for LR.
They don’t respond. I sense that I am you-know-whatting into the wind. Depressing…
Unfortunately, Ronald, I don’t see Adobe changing their minds on having ended perpetual offerings. It’s too bad that they (and we) will lose customers like you for whom subscription pricing doesn’t make sense. Best wishes on LR 6.14 working for a long time!
Doesn’t affect me since I use LR 6.14 stand alone, but certainly sounds like a “mess” and doesn’t encourage interest in new Adobe products and business models (in my opinion). But I admit I am addicted to LR and will use the version I have as long as I can on rather old computers. Slow but steady ;)
Love Lightroom – Installed the new “Lightroom Classic” should I uninstall “Lightroom CC” in apps folder (Mac user)
Similarly, have Photoshop CC 2015, Photoshop CC 2015.5, Photoshop CC 2017 & Photoshop CC 2018 in the apps Folder (Presently using Photoshop CC 2019 (20.0.04))
Never sure whether I should be deleting previous versions when a new version comes along ??
Hi Steve, yes, you can uninstall previous versions of both Lightroom and Photoshop.
And with this news from Adobe, I should say “should” rather than “can”.
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for your excellent articles re: deciphering Adobe’s recent changes, and your videos that I continue to find very, very helpful. I’m looking forward to purchasing your new videos in the future.
At present, I have Lightroom CC 2015.12, and I recently received the letter from Adobe that I’m “no longer licensed to use” it … and I “may be at risk of … by third parties.”. Like others in my situation, this really worries me.
My situation: I’m really comfortable with Lr CC 2015.12 ( subscription) ; also, I want to keep the feel of this version of Lr and I’m not interested in a cloud-based set up or syncing anything to any other device (only have a laptop and 2 ext. hard drives, which I like ). Would you recommend that I go to the trouble and stress of upgrading to Lightroom Classic or just stay with my ‘ tried and true’ Lr version? What is the risk for people like me? How long do you think I have to upgrade before Adobe makes it difficult for me to use my old Lr version?
I’d really appreciate a quick reply as I value your opinion.
Many thanks,
Gina Fisher
Hi Gina, update to CC 2015.14, which is just a small update, and then you’ll be fine as far as being on an authorized version. That said, you are missing two and a half years of new features by not being on Classic. If your system supports it, then I would recommend upgrading, since you are already paying for the new version. Here’s my video tutorial on how to upgrade – this will take the stress out of it. You’ll find that Classic has new features but doesn’t change fundamental ways of doing things, so you won’t have to relearn anything.
Sorry, I meant to say : ” I’d really appreciate a BRIEF REPLY as I value your opinion”. Gina
Hi Laura,
My situation is very similar to Gina’s and I would like to clarify one point. Like Gina I have kept my present subscription with an older version of Lightroom 6 Classic; version 2015.12. I did this because I understand the LR Catalog file for Lightroom 7 and 8 is not backward compatible with LR6, and my perpetual disk version which I also have on my bookshelf. Staying with a subscription version of Lightroom 6 Classic, I believe kept my catalog compatible with my disk version if I ever decide to use it, along with all the LR6 update files which I downloaded from Adobe on 12-30-2018.
Given the present licensing situation recently identified by Adobe, and using my subscription Adobe Creative Cloud desktop App, I see I can download a version of Lightroom Classic cc(2015) 6.0. If I do this, what version of Lightroom Classic will I receive? Is it Lightroom Version cc 2015.14? And will the Catalog.lrcat file that it creates on my desktop be compatible with my perpetual disk version of Lightroom 6 that I have on my bookshelf if I ever decide to use it along with the LR6 update files which I downloaded previously?
Thanks for any feedback and help that you can provide.
-John Waclo
Hi John, I’m sorry I missed your post. The available download from Adobe is 2015.14/6.14, not 2015.0/6.0, so you will be authorized to use it. Yes, the catalog is compatible with the perpetual 6.
That said, you’re missing out on lots of new features with your strategy. This article explains how you can roll back from a later version of Classic to an earlier version, such as to LR 6, by saving the work out to XMP. It’s not a perfect solution, since you would lose some information, but it would allow you to use the latest version for now.
Hi Laura,
I’ve long found Adobe a source of confusion with their product naming and licensing. They aren’t the only software house with this issue. I know it won’t change any minds at Adobe but I have made a final decision to discontinue purchase of their products. Call me Old School but I have concluded that anything that relies on their cloud or annual license subscriptions is simply inviting what is essentially RANSOMEWARE. If they are not prepared to do their homework and ensure their product is free of third party gotchas and sell a perpetual license they can support then they can forget it. I don’t need or want to be part of their corporate culture. I’m not after free software. I just want to buy legal software without their claw-back greed attached with a foot in the door. Having loyally bought every stand-alone version of Lr from 3 to 5, I expected some loyalty from Adobe but clearly that’s not happening.
It was fine for the ride but it’s over.
Regards,
John
I appreciate your perspective, John. Best wishes!
Laura; just wanted (at this late date) to second John’s thought. I have been using adobe since photoshop 5, and have the original disks and licenses. I kept up to date until cs4. At this point I am saddened to the disgusted regarding their licensing practice. I paid a great deal of money to keep my software current, with the understanding that the license was perpetual. I know that it means I have to limit OS upgrades, and I do that (using vmware). But I expected that as long as I used a supported OS, the product would work, and I could use it. It seems now that perpetual only means until the vendor no longer wants to support it. I have never asked for fixes as OSs updated, I assumed that to be my responsibility. But to basically knee-cap your original cohort to avoid theft on a 20 year old software you have more than recouped costs on is to me unthinkable. Give it away if you have to, but keep the good will and skip the profit. The fact I have to buy old software disks on ebay is quite annoying.
If the software is that good, people will pay to have the current version.
Hi Dave, my response is more than a little late since I’m on sabbatical, but I understand your frustration. That said you purchased software that was to be updated through a particular point in time and there was no promise that it would keep working forever. (That’s not what “perpetual” refers to – it refers to you owning the right to use it, AS IS, perpetually.) No software company would promise their software would keep working, as it would require dedicating resources forever to every old version of every product no longer being sold. Imagine what they would have to charge for that – most certainly way more than the $79 that you probably paid for Lightroom 6. As it is, Lightroom 6 came out 7 years ago, and received its last update 5 years ago (even though there was never a promise of even two years of updates) and Adobe’s resources are now dedicated to Lightroom (Classic) 11 and 12.
I totally understand you and others deciding that subscription software is not for you, and I wish you the best with whatever solution is a good fit for you. :-)
All that said, this article is not about the Lightroom 6 perpetual version, it is about the subscription version. ;-)
I’m having a bit of a dilemma because I have perpetual lightroom 6.3 and am thinking of getting a 5d Mark iv and believe only the last ever updated version of 6 supports the raw file – which if I understand correctly, it’s 6.14 (why do they go backwards??).
An Adobe person let me have a download of the lightroom 6, which I assume would be 6.14 but I am slightly paranoid about running the installer as I thought it would just be an update file, rather than running an installer again. I’ve backed up my catalogue and plug ins and stuff but I’m still a little bit afraid if I run this I’ll somehow ruin the installation and won’t be able to install it again. My copy is legit but not bought from Adobe, and have the installation code but it still concerns me.
The purchase of the 5d iv is not imminent or confirmed but does concern me. £10 a month for cc isn’t *that* outrageous, but with it just being a hobby, it really bugs me like so many of us, I’m sure!
Alternatively you could use Adobe’s free DNG converter to convert the raw files to Adobe’s DNG raw file format, and import those into Lightroom 6. (I don’t know whether they would have sent you 6.14 or 6.0.)