Photoshop users are expressing concerns about the software’s implementation of the Counterfeit Detection System (CDS), suggesting it may be overly restrictive. This issue arises from the Counterfeit Detection Act of 1992, designed to prevent the digital reproduction of currency for illegal purposes. However, users are finding that this system is interfering with legitimate image editing workflows, even when dealing with innocuous “Money Pics”.
The Counterfeit Detection Act itself, as outlined in Public Law 102-550, Section 411 of Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations, sets specific limitations for color illustrations of U.S. currency. It states that for illustrations to be legal, they must be:
- Less than three-fourths or more than one and one-half the linear dimension of the currency.
- One-sided.
- All tools used to create the illustration must be destroyed after final use.
Crucially, this legislation focuses on the creation of counterfeit currency illustrations, not the mere opening or editing of images that happen to contain money. The core complaint from Photoshop users is that Adobe’s CDS seems to be blocking the editing of any image containing currency, regardless of context.
This broad application is seen as problematic. For instance, users are finding they cannot edit product photographs featuring wallets if a banknote is even partially visible. Everyday “money pics,” like a casual shot of a wallet with a bill peeking out, are also becoming impossible to work with in Photoshop. This is impacting professionals and hobbyists alike who legitimately need to edit images containing money as incidental elements.
The user feedback emphasizes that while preventing the creation of digital forgeries is understandable, the current implementation is too heavy-handed. A more nuanced approach is requested, one that differentiates between deliberate counterfeiting and the legitimate use of “money pics” in broader photographic contexts. The call is being made to Adobe decision-makers to review this policy and refine the CDS to avoid unnecessarily hindering users’ creative and professional workflows. The hope is to find a balance that respects legal requirements without unduly restricting the editing of images that incidentally include currency.
