Thursday, November 23, 2006 IP team raids 2 stores in Cebu, 1 in Mandaue
THREE computer stores in Cebu, believed to be involved in the illegal reproduction and sale of pirated software programs, were recently raided by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD).
One of the raided stores is located in Mandaue City while the two others are in Cebu City. The raid was conducted by virtue of search warrants issued by Judge Ramon Daomilas, Jr. of the Cebu Regional Trial Court Branch 11.
Items used in the suspected illegal reproduction of software programs, including several computers and pirated CD-ROM installers as well as various versions and editions of Microsoft Windows and Office applications, were confiscated during the raid. Total value of items seized was estimated to reach P2 million.
“These stores were infringing on the rights of intellectual property owners and are profiting from these unlawful acts and, at the same time, were cheating on their customers. The NBI remains active in going after unscrupulous businesses that continue to flout the law. Software piracy is a crime where the perpetrators should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said lawyer Jose Justo Yap, division chief of NBI-IPRD.
The store owners will face criminal charges for violation of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. Violators may be penalized with imprisonment of up to nine years and a fine of up to P1.5 million.
The NBI is part of the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team, a government-initiative that aims to curb software piracy in the country. The Optical Media Board and the Philippine National Police are also part of the team. (PR)
