IPO urges call center firms to use only licensed software

Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Director General Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. is urging the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) to strictly use only licensed software in their computers.

Last April 27, 2004, the CCAP and the Business Software Alliance (BSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that CCAP members would conduct software audits of all their computer systems.

BSA would then issue a certificate of recognition valid for six months during which time the BSA would not initiate any enforcement action against the company.

The MOA was initiated by then DTI Secretary Cesar Purisima, who witnessed the signing along with former DOJ Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez.

In a courtesy call to Cristobal, BSA Director for Enforcement in Asia Tarun Sawney said the BSA wants to emphasize to businesses that using legal software can only be beneficial to companies and that they welcome initiatives on corporate social responsibility and industry self-regulation.

However, only two members of CCAP have so far complied with the terms of the MOU.

"We are concerned that even foreign-owned firms have not complied with this agreement, these firms should be models of IP compliance," Cristobal said.

"Our role is to coordinate with both public and private sectors to strengthen intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in the country. We will convene the two parties to ensure the CCAP member strictly implements the agreement and that the association be a showcase of IP compliance in the country," Cristobal added.

Cristobal went on,"we encourage this self-regulatory practice and responsible corporate governance among the industries."

He noted that the call center industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the country, along with the IT industry.

Thus, call centers’ strict compliance to IPR is important, Cristobal said, "if we want to expand and become the IT hub of the region."

Furthermore, Cristobal pointed out, "the success of this industry will benefit our people through more investments and jobs."

CCAP’s members are EasyCall Comm. Phils., Advanced Contact Solutions, Customer Care Contact Center, eTelecare International, Pilipinas TeleServe, Sykes, Client Logic, Qinteraction, Vision X, Ambergris Solutions, C3 Customer Contact Center, Expercs Direct Communications, People Support, ePacific Global Contact Center, Vertex Solutions, Source 1 Customer Contact Center, Infonxx, e-Performax, i-Contacts, Touch Asia, and Pacific Hub.