Computer shops raided by NBI agents

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation seized Thursday 121 personal computer units worth at least P4 million from three computer shops in Manila and Malabon for using pirated software.

Raided were the branches of the Cost Less Computer Haus owned by Ricardo Paranable located at 1313 Adriatico St., Ermita, Manila; 1420 Laong Laan St., Sampaloc, Manila; and at the Jade Building along MacArthur Highway in Potrero, Malabon.

According to the NBI’s-Intellectual Property Rights Division, the raid was prompted by a complaint filed by the Microsoft Corporation last July 4 through the Quisumbing-Torres Law Office.

In their complaint, Microsoft asked the NBI’s help in going after business establishments in Metro Manila that are engaged in the sale of laptop and desktop computers loaded with unauthorized copies of Microsoft computer software.

On the basis of the complaint, NBI-IPRD agents conducted a surveillance operation on the three computer shops. Armed with search warrants issued by Manila Judge Antonio Eugenio, NBI agents swooped on the three computer shops and seized the personal computer units and laptops. – Mike Frialde