Thursday, January 25, 2007 PNP tells Cebu firms to use legal software
THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division (AFCCD) of the PNP has started sending letters to some business establishments in Cebu City that have been reported to the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT) website for alleged use of software with no proper licenses.
The letter, signed by Police Sr. Supt. Noel delos Reyes, head of the AFCCD, advised concerned business owners that the report of illegal software use “may be unsubstantiated but there is still that possibility that your business may have indeed been a victim of software piracy without your knowledge.”
“As such, the Division would like to advise your firm to conduct necessary system checks to determine if the allegation is true or false,” delos Reyes’ letter read.
Delos Reyes warned that authorities will begin inspecting establishments named in the report this month.
The PAPT encourages companies to self-regulate and protect their businesses against the effects of using pirated software. It is also coordinating with private organizations, such as the Business Software Alliance, in forming a PAPT Technical Inspection Panel that will assist companies in determining whether the software they are using is licensed or not.
In 2006, the PAPT conducted a nationwide crackdown against companies that continue to use pirated software. (PR)
