Local ‘pirates’ hurting Microsoft

Computer software giant Microsoft has expressed concern over the apparent proliferation of pirated software in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

"We are concerned at the sharp upward trend in the sale of counterfeit software in the retail sector. Pirates are investing in sophisticated technology that makes it increasingly difficult to identify a counterfeit product. Packaging of counterfeit software is virtually indistinguishable from a real product and sometimes the products are being sold in authorized outlets," said Sam Jacoba, the local Microsoft licensing director.

"The only way that customers can be sure they are buying genuine Microsoft software is to buy from our authorized distributors or resellers," Jacoba added.

Last Sept. 4, the National Bureau of Investigation raided a Makati City trading firm and seized some P800,000 of pirated Microsoft software.

Raided was the One Touch Trading located at Unit 501, 5th Floor, Ferros Bel-Air Tower Condominium, Bel-Air Makati. Also arrested during the raid were two of the store’s staff members identified as Epifania Tulang, 30, of 53 Rivera St. Sta. Quiteria, Caloocan City; and Leo Fabro, 35, of Lot 34, Phase 1, Housing, Bicutan, Taguig. The suspects were arrested after accepting marked money from undercover NBI agents in exchange for the pirated software.

Investigation conducted by the NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division showed that the raided firm, owned by a Francis Bangayan, is engaged in the unauthorized sale and distribution of pirated Microsoft computer software.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Makati City Judge Winlove Dumayas, NBI-IPRD agents conducted a buy-bust operation and arrested Tulang and Fabro after handing over to undercover NBI agents three boxes of pirated Microsoft software in exchange for marked cash.

Seized from the suspects were 98 compact disks of pirated Microsoft Office 2000 and 47 compact disks of pirated Microsoft Windows 98, Second Edition. According to the NBI, it was the second time that One Touch Trading was raided for alleged software piracy.

Charges of copyright infringement were filed by the NBI against the arrested suspects before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office. Bail was set at P10,000 each for the temporary liberty of the suspects.

For its part, Microsoft congratulated the NBI for its relentless efforts in going after computer software pirates in the country.

"We commend the NBI for its continuing focus on reducing software piracy. The manufacture and trade of counterfeit products is taken very seriously by Philippine authorities and we have confidence that software and hardware distributors of illegal products will be investigated if they do not abide by the law," said Jacoba.

Microsoft advised consumers to contact Microsoft if they have doubts to the authenticity of the Microsoft products they purchased. Consumers are also advised to visit Microsoft’s website at www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell for information on Microsoft product security features.