Adobe Has Filed A Lawsuit Against Forever 21 For Repeatedly Pirating Photoshop
Jan 30, 2015
Tiffany Mueller
Tiffany Mueller is a photographer and content strategist based in Hawi, Hawaii. Her work has been shared by top publications like The New York Times, Adobe, and others.
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Update: March 17, 2025
Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy for the second time
Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy for the second time. The company plans to close all 350 of its U.S. stores and start liquidation sales, according to the NY Post.
The company blames this decision on tough competition from online fast-fashion retailers like Shein and Temu. These brands sell trendy clothes at low prices and ship them fast, making it hard for traditional stores to keep up.
This shows how difficult it is for physical stores to survive in today’s digital world. Forever 21 struggled to adapt, and without change, it couldn’t compete with online giants.
The company has also faced legal trouble in the past. In 2015, Adobe sued Forever 21 for using software like Photoshop and Illustrator without permission. Issues like this may have made their financial problems even worse.
As Forever 21 goes through bankruptcy again, people in the retail industry are watching closely. Will it survive online, or is this the end of the brand?
January 30, 2015
On January 28th, Adobe filed a lawsuit in the California District Court accusing Forever 21 of pirating software. According to Adobe, the clothing retailer illegally obtained 63 copies of various Adobe programs, including Photoshop and Illustrator. Corel and Autodesk have also joined the case, claiming that Forever 21 used pirated versions of their software, too.
This issue has been ongoing between Adobe and Forever 21. In the lawsuit, Adobe states that Forever 21 “continued their infringing activities even after being contacted by Adobe regarding the infringement.” It’s unclear how Adobe tracked the piracy, but the company has specific registration numbers and dates linked to the unauthorized software.
An article posted on The Verge, writer Russell Brandom points out that “Adobe has actively encouraged employees to turn in employers using unauthorized versions of the software.” This raises the question—did a disgruntled employee report Forever 21’s alleged piracy?
You can read the official court document here, and be sure to stay tuned to DIYP, as we will post updates and more information on the lawsuit as it becomes available.
[ via The Verge | Lead Image By Mike Mozart ]
Tiffany Mueller
Tiffany Mueller is a photographer and content strategist based in Hawi, Hawaii. Her work has been shared by top publications like The New York Times, Adobe, and others.
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20 responses to “Adobe Has Filed A Lawsuit Against Forever 21 For Repeatedly Pirating Photoshop”
Really? It’s $50/mo.
Well, there is even a Photography Bundle with Photoshop and Lightroom for $9.99/mo…
Business licensing does cost a little more, about $70/mo for new customers or $50/month for existing customers, which covers up to 150 users for the entire CC suite of programs. It’s abut $30/mo for individual programs. But still…
Adobe pirated me. I purchased a copy of CS5.5 and every time I go to use it it doesn’t work unless I call them and have to jump through hoops for 30-60 minutes talking to some person in India to get them to authorize it by proving my copy code printed on the box.
That’s DRM for you. Demand DRM-free software. Vote with your wallet.
I haven’t pirated Photoshop in years. I pirate Lightroom nowadays.
Sounds like an ex-employee turned them in. Really no way to track this or Adobe would be able to shut ever piece of pirated software down.
How do you think they keep those prices down
If I have to pay, those guys SURE need to pay to use these products. It would be like all of us walking into their stores and ‘borrowing’ an outfit for a date.
No, one it’s virtual and the other is physical. Copies of photoshop are exact and cost nothing to make, while clothes demand work to fabricate.
“cost nothing to make”…Adobe is constantly improving their software and it costs money to pay employers to work on improving the software. Also having employees available to assist customers with questions about purchases and customer support. Also the process of making such a detailed program like photoshop requires a lot more work and knowledgeable people than sewing a poorly sewn dress that only lasts a few months.
Matias said, “Copies of photoshop are exact and cost nothing to make” You took his quote out of context. The software takes a lot to make. A copy of software does not. Copying is not theft. Now, if it’s a software one uses and enjoys, one should definitely pay for it so the creator can make more.
It took physical actual people to make the software. Business owners that make money should pay for its license.
This analogy is incorrect. A proper analogy would be you walking into a Forever 21 store, taking measurements of an outfit, going home, and creating an exact copy of that outfit using fabric you already own. With a digital copy, what you are doing is reproducing something using your own resources.
Virtual?!? It took hundreds of programmers to put together those programs, though it’s offered in virtual/digital form, it takes very talented designers & programmers to create the tools I work with every day. No one waved a digital wand & brought these programs into existence.
The store does not lose money if you return their clothing after one date night cause they only give back store credit .
Couldn’t happen to a nicer company…
I hope Adobe fails. Dunno why. Bitter? probably
You know what, anyone here heard those commercials asking you to report pirated software in the business environment? I bet those commercials led to this.
That’s just bad business. Besides, it’s a business expense and they just write it off. There is no excuse.