NBI raids photocopy centers for copyright infringement

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) raided several photocopy centers in Metro Manila for illegally reproducing books published by Rex Book Store.

The NBI-IPRD seized illegally reproduced books and photocopying equipment from Johnel’s Photocopy and Bookbinding shop at the UP Shopping Center in Diliman, Quezon City; Nayumi Copy Center in Manila and Express Copy Shop and General Merchandise on Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

“This is to educate the public that illegally reproducing books is an infringement of copyright,” lawyer Anna Olivia Lee, who represents Rex Book Store, said in a statement sent to The STAR.

She said photocopying a few chapters of a book may still be considered copyright infringement if the reproduction is found to be “substantial.”

The raid was conducted following a complaint by the bookstore against several photocopy centers.

First-time offenders may be jailed for one year to three years and fined P50,000 to P150,000, plus damages.