Software giant Adobe has agreed to pay a $75 million fine and provide an additional $75 million worth of customer services to settle a lawsuit filed by the US Federal Trade Commission over its subscription cancellation process and early termination fee policy.

The settlement agreement requires Adobe to comprehensively adjust its subscription management model, clearly disclose termination terms to consumers, and simplify the process for canceling subscriptions. According to the settlement terms, a $75 million cash fine will be paid to the U.S. Treasury, while an equivalent amount in customer service compensation will involve substantive remedies such as providing affected users with free service periods and fee reductions. This case originated from long-term consumer complaints that Adobe restricted users from canceling subscriptions through complex hidden terms and charged high fees for early termination. Federal court documents show that regulators determined Adobe's subscription practices may violate the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act. In addition to financial compensation, the settlement agreement also mandates that Adobe maintain transparency in subscription terms for the next six years and establish an easy-to-use cancellation channel. This milestone settlement may reshape the subscription service standards in the software industry.