Adobe price hike plans provoke reseller revolt

UK resellers are up in arms at Adobe Systems' plans to increase the cost of its software licences by nearly 10 per cent.

Adobe has refused to confirm the proposed pricing changes, but one source close to the company told silicon.com: "We will see a dramatic increase in licences by around nine per cent."

UK resellers contacted by silicon.com have not yet been informed of the price hikes, but are unhappy at the plans. Davinda Dhir, account manager at Adobe reseller, 3D Computers, said: "If the price of licences goes up, business will go down by up to 50 per cent and customers will go elsewhere."

Jerry Holifield, account manager CJ Graphics - another Adobe reseller - added: "I haven't heard anything about the proposed price changes. With the service that we've had recently they should halve prices, not put them up. We've had a very poor supply and too many mistakes with licensing details."

Steve Rush, marketing director at Rapid Group, said: "We are never happy when prices go up without good reason. Even if it is to create a level playing field, it is still not a good enough reason."

Adobe refused to disclose the exact price changes but claimed it had been in contact with selected resellers and distributors throughout Europe.

Katie Ambrose, worldwide licensing manager at Adobe, said: "We have never had a single global pricing structure and we will be announcing this in early September. Pricing will change from country to country. Some will stay the same, some will go up and some will go up more."