P1.5 M worth of counterfeit HP printer toners seized

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confiscated 347 pieces of repacked Hewlett-Packard (HP) printer toners worth P1.5 million from three computer shops in Metro Manila.

NBI head agent Jose Justo Yap, chief of the NBI-Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), said they seized the repackaged HP toners from the outlets of C-Comd Computer/Printer Tech Corp. last May 3.

The store’s three branches are located in Alabang Zapote Road, Las Piñas City; Quirino Avenue, Kabihasnan, San Dionisio, Parañaque City; and Dimasalang Road, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The operation was conducted based on the complaint filed by HP Company and HP Development Company through its legal representative Bengzon, Negre and Untalan Intellectual Property Attorneys.

Yap said that before case officer Agent III Joseph Furing secured search warrants from Executive Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr., of the Manila City Regional Trail Court (MCRTC) Branch 24, they first verified the complaint by conducting surveillance operations and test-buys.

Yap said they are still completing the necessary documents and are preparing to lodge charges of violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

They brought the confiscated repackaged items at the Fortress Logistics Inc., Rudolf Leits Compound along West Service Road in Parañaque City for temporary storage.

Furing, in a previous interview, said the selling of counterfeit print toners and ink cartridges are no longer confined in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Late last year, he said they conducted an operation in Zamboanga City and seized P124,000 worth of items from the two establishments.

"We received information that the stores’ owner (in Zamboanga) were unaware that they were receiving counterfeit products. The items were reportedly coming from Manila," Furing said. — Evelyn Macairan