Adobe/Photoshop two computer rule. How does it work?

planetrobert · Jun 3, 2012

Hi,

This is not a question about image editing per se, but it does have to do with editing images on more than one computer simultaneously and Adobe's end user license agreement.

The rules say I cannot have Photoshop open on my laptop in one room, and also open on my desktop in another room. I guess if both computers are connected to the Internet, PS "dials" into Adobe and informs the servers that two computers are using it. That much I understand. But if I disconnect from the Internet on one or both of the computers, then what? Will this limitation still be imposed? How does Adobe know?

- R

Pioneer · Jun 4, 2012

The way I understand this, Adobe doesn't have a problem with you using the software and will allow you to work with the desktop while at home, and the laptop while away from your desktop. However, if both are running, and communicating with the internet, Adobe has no idea if it is just you working or if it is two people. I would guess that, assuming you are the only one running the software, if one or the other is not communicating via the internet there would be no problem. Give it a try and see what happens?

gmikol · Jun 4, 2012

First off, I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice, and I do not encourage anyone to use their software in a manner that is in violation of its licensing terms.

With that being said, I just started up PS (CS5) on my laptop and desktop, and opened different images for editing in each. Both systems were connected to the 'net, and no warning messages, no alarm bells, no black helicopters hovering over my house.

Furthermore, if you look at the wording of the relevant section (from CS6 license agreement)

2.1.3 Portable or Home Computer Use. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.1.4, the
primary user of the Computer on which the Software is installed under Section 2.1 (Primary User)
may install a second copy of the Software for his or her exclusive use on either a portable Computer
or a Computer located at his or her home, provided that the Software on the portable or home
Computer is not used at the same time as the Software on the primary Computer.

The key phrase (emphasis mine) is "[Primary User] may install a second copy for his or her exclusive use...provided that the Software...is not used at the same time"

So as long as it's just you using it, you could argue that while the application may be running in 2 places, it is impossible for you to use both copies at the same time, since you can realistically only be operating one system at a time. I'd say it is highly unlikely that you'd be in violation of the EULA in this instance.

As far as I know, the software only "phones home" to check the validity of the license when the application is started, not to maintain a count of usage. The license activation process does this, since you can only activate it on 2 systems. My experiment would seem to suggest that, as well.

Now, of course, if you plan on having 2 people simultaneously using a single license of the software in a situation as described above, that usage is clearly in violation of the EULA, and it's a big no-no. Don't do it.

Hope that helps.

--Greg

planetrobert · Jun 4, 2012

gmikol said:
So as long as it's just you using it, you could argue that while the application may be running in 2 places, it is impossible for you to use both copies at the same time, since you can realistically only be operating one system at a time. I'd say it is highly unlikely that you'd be in violation of the EULA in this instance.

--Greg

But I could have the software open on my laptop in one room, with some image or another on it, and open in another room on a separate computer, with some other image open. And throughout the course of an evening I can be doing work on both of these images. Right now, I have both computers on and I do things on both computers almost as if they were a single machine. (Note, haven't installed PS on the laptop yet ..)

I will have to test it and report back. I'm hoping the black helicopters don't come hovering. They might remotely clone stamp my building right off the map.

gmikol · Jun 4, 2012

planetrobert said:
But I could have the software open on my laptop in one room, with some image or another on it, and open in another room on a separate computer, with some other image open. And throughout the course of an evening I can be doing work on both of these images. Right now, I have both computers on and I do things on both computers almost as if they were a single machine. (Note, haven't installed PS on the laptop yet ..)

Robert--

I'll admit I was trying to make quite a fine point. The point I was trying to make was that even if you had separate images open on each computer, you wouldn't likely be using both at the same time, in the sense that you would not be issuing commands simultaneously to both instances of PS, i.e. it's not like you'd have a mouse in each hand.

Hope that clarifies what I was trying to say.

--Greg

Pioneer · Jun 5, 2012

planetrobert said:
I will have to test it and report back. I'm hoping the black helicopters don't come hovering. They might remotely clone stamp my building right off the map.

Give me your Google Map coordinates so I can check in on your building once in a while. I have Photoshop on a laptop and desktop and run them both simultaneously quite frequently, though not usually connected to the net. If you get clone stamped for it I need to know about it before it happens to me.

planetrobert · Jun 5, 2012

I'm thinking about getting a program called Little Snitch that will prevent the A or B computer from dialing into the Adobe servers.

Pioneer · Jun 5, 2012

That will certainly work. I just shut off my wireless on my laptop. Does the same thing without loading additional programs.

planetrobert · Jun 5, 2012

Pioneer said:
That will certainly work. I just shut off my wireless on my laptop. Does the same thing without loading additional programs.

Yes, I'm going to try your method first before installing LS.

tkamiya · Jun 10, 2012

fwap, fwap, fwap, fwap......

Adobe user, come out of your house with your HANDS UP!

planetrobert · Jun 10, 2012

tkamiya said:
fwap, fwap, fwap, fwap......

Adobe user, come out of your house with your HANDS UP!

... with your crop tool and paintbrush UP! I repeat, keep your clone stamps and layers where we can see them. Now back away from the house. Slowly.

tkamiya · Jun 10, 2012

We've surrounded your CPU with resource intensive processes. You can't escape! Come out NOW with your hands up!

themajormorris · Dec 3, 2012

Question about Adobe CS6 student and teacher edition

Hello all, hope you can help.

I have a question, does the two computer rule still apply to the Student & Teacher edition of CS6?

According to this article , 'each eligible person may purchase only one copy of each academic product per platform per year', and 'Student & Teacher Edition software may be used on your privately-owned computer only'.

I'm a student and I want to install a copy of CS6 on the family computer but also use it on my laptop. I know this is permitted under the standard version but is it possible for the Student & Teacher as well?

thanks for your help

wfe · Dec 3, 2012

The Adobe license allows PS on two computers with no problems. If you need to move the license from one computer to another you have to deactivate it first and then it will allow you to activate it on a different computer. If you try to activate it on a third computer it will not work. Mine got all jacked up once and I had Adobe deactivate all of them and I started over and all was well.

David A. Goldfarb · Dec 5, 2012

wfe's explanation is accurate. I've been in the situation where I've gotten a new computer and had to deactivate Photoshop on one of my old computers, or had a hard drive crash, and I think in that case I had to write to customer service to reinstall. They aren't checking to see if you have two copies open on two different computers at the same time, or if they are, they don't do anything about that to my knowledge.

Adobe/Photoshop two computer rule. How does it work?

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