Adobe seeks OK of PDF as independent standard

Adobe Systems Inc., a maker of design software, submitted its PDF file format for approval as an independent standard, turning over one of its defining technologies to an outside group.

The PDF format is already seen as an Internet standard, accounting for almost 10% of online content, Adobe says. The San Jose-based company distributes the software needed to read PDFs free.

The Assn. for Information and Imaging Management agreed to undertake the process of certifying PDF as an independent standard, said Pam Deziel, an Adobe executive.