Computer firms raided, face raps for copyright violation

Five computer firms may face criminal charges for the illegal use and distribution of Autocad software causing its legal distributors to lose some P5.5 million in income, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said yesterday.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Arturo Lomibao presented to the media yesterday about 26 computer units that contained unauthorized software for Autocad, short for automatic computer-aided design.

Lomibao also warned commercial offices against the unauthorized use and distribution of computer software, saying it is a violation of copyright laws.

The computer units were seized during random raids conducted by the CIDG Anti-Transnational Crime Division under Superintendent Gilbert Sosa at the 5th floor of the Padilla Building along Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Road in Pasig City and the EFI Corporate Center in Mandaluyong City.

Lomibao said 22 computer units were seized by CIDG agents when they swooped down on the offices of RN Ferrer and Associates Inc. at the Padilla Building by virtue of the search warrant issued by Judge Alfredo Flores of Pasig Regional Trial Court.

An inspection by Chief Inspector Bernard Yang showed that the units contained reproduced Autocad programs which was violation of Section 117 in relation to Section 217 of Republic Act 8293 also known as the Copyright Infringement Law.

Police said the raiding team was initially prevented from entering the company offices which also houses the Systematic Corporation, Q+Homes Inc. and Project Management Institutes.

Another operation at the Energy Factors Inc. housed at the EFI Corporate Center also yielded four computer units that contained Autocad software. The raid was conducted by virtue of a search warrant issued by Mandaluyong City Judge Paulita Acosta Villarante.