3 PC shops busted for loading pirated software

MANILA, Philippines - Anti-piracy teams raided three popular computer retailers in Quezon and Muntinlupa cities caught hardloading branded units with pirated software.

The Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confiscated P375,000 worth of pirated software from Microstation Computer Center Inc., Starapple Computer Corporation and PC Chain Superstores in the raid.

Lawyer Dante Jacinto, chief of the NBI Intellectual Property Rights Divisions said Acer, Lenovo and HP units were loaded with fake computer programs that pose serious risks to consumers.

"Continued use and selling of pirated software does not only expose your consumers to harm but, it also subjects you, your employees, your businesses and your consumers to numerous risks including loss of property and criminal prosecution," Jacinto said.

He said that business operators may have their licenses and business permits revoked and will have to undergo tax investigation.

"Sales personnel as well as technicians will also be subjected to criminal charges if found guilty of hardloading pirated software," Jacinto added.

Similarly, consumers must be warned that even branded PCs can contain illegal software, the official said.

"Hardloading of pirated software can expose its consumers to serious malware and virus attacks which can lead to data theft and losses ...  Just because the computers being bought are well-known brands is no assurance that they are loaded with original software," he said.