NBI raids bathrooom fixtures firm for using pirated software

MANILA, Philippines – Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a manufacturing plant of bathroom fixtures for allegedly using computers with unlicensed and pirated software recently. The agents raided last September 8 the sales and marketing office and plant of Hocheng Philippines Corp., popularly known as HCG Philippines, the largest manufacturing plant of bathroom fixtures in the Philippines. The agents had search warrants issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) for the HCG sales and marketing office at 1163 Chino Roces Avenue, San Antonio Village, in Makati, and its 10-hectare plant at the First Cavite Industrial Estate, Barangay Lagkaan, Dasmariñas, Cavite. The raid against HCG resulted in the seizure of 46 computers from its Cavite plant and 24 computers from its Makati office, all loaded with pirated Adobe, Autodesk, and Microsoft programs. "We hope this will serve as a lesson for other companies big and small, to be more mindful of the software they use," Elfren Meneses, chief of the NBI Intellectual Property Rights Division said. "Use of unlicensed and pirated software may give them some headway against other companies but at the risk of serious and perhaps irreparable harm to their business and their reputation. If they commit an unlawful act, no company will be spared regardless of its size or position in the industry." Under the Intellectual Property Code, HCG officers are now facing penalties of up to nine years imprisonment and a fine of up to P1.5 million. The complaint against HCG was filed by the Business Software alliance (BSA) on behalf of its members. The BSA has been a staunch supporter of the government’s fight against software piracy. As part of its support to the PAPT, the BSA offers a reward of up to P1 million to anyone who provides information leading to a successful prosecution of a business establishment using unlicensed and pirated software. - GMANews.TV