NBI agents seize P2-M counterfeit software

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently confiscated P2 million worth of counterfeit software of Microsoft Corp. installed in 24 computers of three computer stores in Cebu province.

NBI head agent Jose Justo Yap, of the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), said they conducted the operation against the three establishments after Microsoft filed a complaint before their office.

The NBI-IPRD, led by case investigator Joseph Furing, reportedly raided Fast Win Trading Inc., a company using the alias Fast Win Computer Enterprises and located at Yu Chio Seng Building, Subangdaku, Mandaue City; Maxsaver Trading, located at Pueblo Aznar Uno, MJ Cuenco Avenue; and Byte Circuits Computer Services on V. Rama Avenue, Guadalupe, all in Cebu province.

From the said stores, Yap said they recovered P2 million worth of reproduced various Microsoft programs and various Windows operating systems such as Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Microsoft Office such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, and Microsoft Encarta.

Since these programs were reportedly stored in the 24 computers, the NBI also seized these items and are all temporarily stored at Branch 11 of the Cebu Regional Trial Court.