NBI raids PC shops for IPR violations

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confiscated 50 computer units and accessories and unlicensed computer software worth P8.25 million following raids on five establishments in Metro Manila.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said they raided two establishments in Quezon City — Pyramid Detailing Services Inc. in Barangay Holy Spirit and DATEM Inc. on Mindanao Avenue.

They also served warrants on two establishments at the second level of the LRT Northmall, Caloocan City — PC-911 Sales and Technosoft Computer Center. The fifth establishment was Hikotec at the ground floor of the Harrison Plaza in Malate, Manila.

Wycoco said they applied for search warrants from Quezon City Judge Natividad Giron-Dizon, Caloocan Judge Edmundo Acuna and Manila Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr.

The Bureau’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), headed by Assistant Regional Director Jose Justo Yap, said the July 19 and 20 operations were conducted in coordination with software companies Microsoft and AutoDesk.

From Pyramid, they seized 16 desktop computers and three laptops worth P5 million, all containing unauthorized copies of AutoDesk software worth P5 million.

Seven PCs with unauthorized copies of unlicensed AutoDesk software and two AutoDesk 3D Studio Vis 4.0 compact discs amounting to P1.75 million were recovered from DATEM Inc.

From PC-911, Technosoft and Hikotec they seized 16 computer units, eight CPUs, 22 installers, five monitors and illegally reproduced Microsoft software with a combined value of P1.5 million.

Charges are being readied against the owners for violation of Republic Act 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Lawyer Anthony Bengzon, legal counsel for AutoDesk, said violators face the penalty of serving a prison sentence of one to three years and a fine from P50,000 to P150,000 for the first offense, while stiffer penalties would be imposed against recidivists.

Wycoco said there would be no let-up in their campaign against IPR violations. "Those who will continue to violate the law will be placed under surveillance by the NBI with the help of concerned agencies," he said.

Bengzon said piracy continues to thrive in the country because of the low prices of copies. From the original price of P200,000 to P250,000 for a copy of AutoDesk software, an illegal version would only cost about P300.