How come a protected PDF can be converted using a free program like [Removed]

Question

I used the trial version of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and created a pdf and protected the document against conversion and other parameters. I find that the pdf document created was easily converted to a word doc by a free program like [Name of third-party application removed. -Mod.]

What is the fun in buying this product if my intellectual property cannot be protected from being copied

Please advise

regards,

Govind

try67 · Accepted Answer

There is a clear message when you apply a security policy that states that third-party applications might not enforce it.

The PDF standard is a public one now (ISO 32000), and anyone can develop an application that implements it, partially or not.

Unfortunately, many people (ab-)use this opportunity and develop tools that make it easier to get around things like a security policy. There's nothing that can be done about it, unless you use some drastic measures like DRM protection, and even then it's probably not 100% secure.

You're paying for an application to create and edit valid and conforming PDF files. Nowhere does it say that there's a guarantee that people won't be able to copy your work. In fact, it says the exact opposite of that.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded