Police raid furniture firm for violating copyright law

CEBU - Police officers raided a furniture company in Liloan town yesterday after another furniture firm sued it for allegedly copying the designs of its products.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Judge Ramon Daomilas, the authorities together with lawyer Romulo Senining barged into Waltco International Inc.

Ludwig de Saeger, an owner of a furniture company located in Canduman, Mandaue City has accused Waltco, owned by Walter Hansen, of copying some of their furniture designs.

Saeger, in an interview, said that they have already filed a case in court against Waltco on the matter.

Aside from copying the designs, the complainant said Waltco also “pirated” their international customers.

Waltco is a manufacturer of aluminum powder coated frame, fully welded with metal and tungsten inert gas welding woven with high quality synthetic fiber outdoor resistant.

“They have copied some of our stuff and they have no copyright on it, that is why we have asked the police to raid the factory,” Saeger said.

He said the raiding team took the computers and all visible pieces of evidence that prove Waltco had indeed copied their designs. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)