NBI raids Japanese firm in Manila  

A Japanese computer firm in Intramuros, Manila was raided last week by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation for alleged use of pirated software.

Seized from the Nippon Koei Co. located at 402, 4th floor, BF Condominium Building, Solano corner Andres Soriano Jr. Avenue, were 19 personal computer units loaded with alleged pirated Auto Cad software worth at least P4 million.

According to the NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) under Rafael Ragos, the raid was conducted following a complaint filed by Ferdinand Negre, a lawyer of Autodesk, owner of the Auto Cad trademark, based in the United States.

The NBI said Autodesk sought the assistance of the NBI after receiving reports that a certain computer firm based in Manila is engaged in the copying, reproduction and use of their computer-aided design software.

This prompted the NBI to immediately conduct a surveillance operation to confirm the report.

A search warrant was applied for and was granted by National Capital Region Judge Antonio Eugenio. On July 12, NBI agents swooped down on various computer shops in the Intramuros area.

Now being investigated are the raided firm’s operations managers identified as Shohei Ezaki and Hidenori Osumi.

Meanwhile, charges of violation of the Copyright Infringement Law are being readied by the NBI against the raided computer firm. – Mike Frialde