The Counterfeit Detection Act of 1992 outlines specific legal guidelines regarding the illustration of U.S. currency. These regulations, designed to prevent counterfeiting, are generally understood and accepted. However, concerns are rising among Adobe Photoshop users about the software’s interpretation and application of these rules, particularly when it comes to editing Images With Money.
The core of the issue stems from the Counterfeit Deterrence System (CDS) implemented within Photoshop. While the intention behind this system is to prevent the misuse of software for illegal activities like creating counterfeit currency, many users feel that Adobe’s current approach is overly aggressive and negatively impacts legitimate image editing workflows.
The Counterfeit Detection Act itself is quite specific. It permits color illustrations of U.S. currency under certain conditions, namely size limitations (less than three-fourths or more than one and one-half in linear dimension), one-sided illustrations, and the requirement to destroy all digital and physical materials used in creating the illustration after final use.
However, the current problem isn’t about creating counterfeit currency. Users are encountering restrictions simply when trying to open and edit images with money that are part of a larger photograph or design. This goes beyond the stipulations of the Counterfeit Detection Act. The Act doesn’t prohibit the editing of photographs that incidentally contain currency; it regulates the creation of currency illustrations themselves.
Many professionals, such as product photographers, are finding their workflows disrupted. Imagine a photographer who specializes in leather goods. Their product shots might naturally include a wallet with a glimpse of a dollar bill inside to add realism or context. Under the current CDS implementation in Photoshop, they may be unable to edit these images with money, even when the currency is a minor, incidental element of the photograph.
This heavy-handed approach feels like a misapplication of the policy. There’s a significant difference between attempting to reproduce a high-resolution, isolated image of a banknote for illicit purposes and editing a photograph where currency is merely present within a broader scene. A more nuanced system would differentiate between these scenarios. Perhaps restricting the editing of images that are overwhelmingly composed of currency, such as isolated scans or photographs of banknotes, would be a reasonable compromise. However, blocking the editing of everyday images with money in context is proving to be overly restrictive and detrimental to legitimate users.
The frustration isn’t directed at the principle of preventing counterfeiting. Instead, it’s aimed at the practical implementation within Adobe Photoshop. Users are seeking a way to communicate these concerns directly to the decision-makers at Adobe – the engineers and policy executives who determine how the software functions. Engaging with community forums and social media support, while sometimes helpful, doesn’t always reach those who can enact meaningful change within Adobe’s software policy.
To move forward, a clearer and more reasonable application of the CDS policy within Photoshop is needed. This would involve refining the system to distinguish between potential counterfeiting attempts and the legitimate use of images with money in broader photographic contexts. By addressing these user concerns, Adobe can ensure its software remains a powerful and versatile tool for professionals, without unduly hindering their creative workflows.
