The American software company Adobe, widely recognized for Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator, is reportedly renewing individual user licenses for free in Russia. This move comes as many Russian residents face difficulties paying with cards issued by domestic banks. Reports cited by TASS indicate that subscriptions can be renewed without a payment being processed, affecting only personal consumer licenses rather than enterprise or corporate licenses.
Officials described the policy as offering automatic renewal for user licenses purchased through the official Adobe online store, provided a card has been linked. The renewal is framed as a courtesy to customers who cannot complete cross-border card payments, meant to preserve customer loyalty and support users during a period of financial strain. This explanation is shared by Adobe representatives and echoed by additional sources, which note that the renewal service has been available for several months and does not permit new subscriptions to be initiated—only the renewal of existing ones.
Adobe suspended product sales in Russia in March 2022. The company has also restricted access to its cloud storage for Russian state media, aligning with broader sanctions and policy decisions that affected access to certain services within the country. This backdrop helps explain why some users might encounter renewed licenses without a fresh payment being required at this time.
Earlier discussions in Russia about Adobe’s approach highlighted tensions between user needs and the company’s regional operations. In conversations on outlets like Socialbites.ca, readers noted the company’s stance on license renewals and the potential for legal action related to older Photoshop versions, underscoring the complicated landscape for software consumers in Russia. The latest reporting from multiple sources reinforces the sense that Adobe’s primary objective remains maintaining continuity for individual users who rely on its tools, even as the firm enforces broader market restrictions.