Protection against copying - how?

Report · Aug 30, 2023

Hi there,
how can I protect a pdf-file against copying? I want it to be printable, but I don't want the text to be copied.
I have read that there is a possibility in Adobe Acrobat, but I did not find it (it is not Acrobat Reader, but the full version).
Thank you

Report · Aug 30, 2023

Keep in mind that if you want people to be able to print it, there's no stopping anyone from scanning the printed version and then OCR-ing the text and copying that.

In addition, a lot of screen-capture software (e.g., Snaggit) will let you access the text in a screen capture.

Plus, there are a number of 3rd-party PDF software out there that can bypass security (and no, I do not know which ones).

Simply, using the security tools that Acrobat provides is sort of like putting locks on your doors—it mostly keeps the honest or slightly dishonest people out. If someone wants in, they will get in.

Wish I could tell you otherwise, but that's the way things are.

View solution in original post

Report · Aug 30, 2023

File > Document Properties > Security

Report · Aug 30, 2023

Look at "Protect a PDF" of "All tools".

Report · Aug 30, 2023

Keep in mind that if you want people to be able to print it, there's no stopping anyone from scanning the printed version and then OCR-ing the text and copying that.

In addition, a lot of screen-capture software (e.g., Snaggit) will let you access the text in a screen capture.

Plus, there are a number of 3rd-party PDF software out there that can bypass security (and no, I do not know which ones).

Simply, using the security tools that Acrobat provides is sort of like putting locks on your doors—it mostly keeps the honest or slightly dishonest people out. If someone wants in, they will get in.

Wish I could tell you otherwise, but that's the way things are.