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Adobe buys Fotolia for $800 million

Adobe and Fotolia logos

Huge stock image library to be integrated into Creative Cloud

Adobe has completed its purchase of the Fotolia image library. The deal, worth in the region of $800 million, means Adobe can integrate Fotolia’s huge number of stock images into its Creative Cloud service.

According to Adobe, this will provide “current and future Creative Cloud members with the ability to access and purchase over 34 million images and videos, significantly simplifying and accelerating the design process.” Adobe has effectively given CC members access to an enormous clip art library, but one where you still have to pay for the images.  

The deal goes beyond just giving Creative Cloud members easy access to reams of stock images such as “skateboarding gran“. Adobe also wants to use the integration to help users of CC monetise their work, by selling it on Fotolia, or whatever it will be called when integrated with Creative Cloud.

According to Adobe, “The acquisition of Fotolia cements Creative Cloud’s role as a vibrant marketplace for creatives to buy and sell assets and services as well as showcase their talent to a worldwide audience.”

There’s good news for those who rely on getting royalty-free stock images from Fotolia for around a quid, however; they won’t need to fork out £9 or so a month for the cheapest “Photography” Creative Cloud package. Adobe plans to keep Fotolia running as a standalone service for anyone to use.