Adobe to Discontinue Stock Photo Service

Adobe Systems has announced plans to discontinue its Adobe Stock Photos service effective April 1, 2008.

The service enables users of Adobe's Bridge software to purchase royalty-free images for use in their work. It was introduced in 2005 when Adobe rolled out Creative Suite 2.

"Adobe has decided to concentrate its efforts in other areas," said the company in a statement posted to the Adobe Stock Photos Web site. The service will remain fully operational until March 3, 2008. From then through the end of March, comp images will still be available for download.

Adobe has posted instructions for users interested in purchasing or downloading images after March 31, 2008. An image ID converter is being provided so users can purchase images directly from the image providers who have supplied content to Adobe Stock Photos in the past.