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Stabes
Inspiring
June 5, 2020
Answered

Illegal copying of PDF files

  • June 5, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 3272 views

I realise it's impossible to stop people making illegal copies of PDF files if they really want to. However, are there ways to that make it more diffcult to illegally copy PDFs? And I'm talking about something more robust than simply password protecting PDF files. Thanks.

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Correct answer Joel Geraci

There's a lighter weight solution than DRM using the Adobe DC View SDK. It allows you to display a PDF file using client-side JavaScript in a browser but prevent download and print of the PDF. The user would need to be online for it to work though.

 

You can see an example at this CodePen 

3 replies

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 8, 2020

You'll find another light weight solution here:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Lite-Document-Security-Description.cfm

 

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
Joel Geraci
Community Expert
Joel GeraciCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 8, 2020

There's a lighter weight solution than DRM using the Adobe DC View SDK. It allows you to display a PDF file using client-side JavaScript in a browser but prevent download and print of the PDF. The user would need to be online for it to work though.

 

You can see an example at this CodePen 

    Thom Parker
    Community Expert
    Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 8, 2020

    Hi Joel, this is awesome!! 

    Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
      try67
      Community Expert
      try67Community Expert
      Community Expert
      June 5, 2020

      Yes, it's called DRM technology and it's very expensive.

      S
      StabesAuthor
      Inspiring
      June 5, 2020

      Thanks. Any pointers to DRM offerings?

      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      June 5, 2020

      Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) includes Adobe's DRM offering. As well as a 5-6 figure sum, you need a Windows or Linux server to run it on 24/7 for constant checking of the right to use. You still can't stop files from being copied and shared, but with DRM you can make the copy useless.

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