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Monday, September 26, 2005
Internet shops suspend operations
MOST of Internet cafés in Central Mindanao remain closed following a massive crackdown by the Optical Media Board (OMB) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on pirated Microsoft software, industry leaders said Monday.
An local NBI agent here, however, said the raids were not coordinated with their district office.
But NBI special Dominic Cerro admitted most of the Internet cafes in the region use pirated software to run their computer businesses.
"Although our office was not aware of the operation that was conducted in the area last week, many Internet shop owners close their business temporarily to avoid being caught by the raiding team," Cerro told reporters.
He said the raiding team came from OMB and NBI based in Manila following complaints from the Business Software Alliance.
While there has yet no official estimates as to the loss of income suffered by the Internet owners due to the temporary closure of their shops, computer rental in the Internet cafes in the region fetches between P15 to P20 per hour.
Meanwhile, Cerrro disclosed that an Internet café was reportedly caught red-handed.
"More than 10 computer units were confiscated by the raiding team from that Internet cafe," he said.
But Cerro declined to name the establishment.
In Koronadal City, majority of the 50 or so Internet shops are still close for business, drawing complaints from individuals patronizing their service.
Also in Cotabato City, reports said that 50 Internet cafes have also temporarily shut down their operations.
Donald Layson, vice president of the Kidapawan Cyberspace and Responsible Entrepreneurs, said that an imprisonment of six to eight years and a fine of P50,000 for each unit await those caught using unlicensed Microsoft software.
He said the cost of complying one particular computer unit with the government's anti-piracy law could run up to P18,000.
Tita Suib, senior trade and industry specialist here of the Department of Trade and Industry, also confirmed that many Internet shops have suspended their operation for fear they might be caught by agents of the OMB and NBI.
(September 26, 2005 issue)
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