P9M worth of ‘fake’ computer software seized from 2 Pasig firms

MANILA, Philippines - A total of P8.9 million worth of alleged counterfeit computer software was seized by government agents in a recent raid of two architectural and design companies in Ortigas Center in Pasig City. Wang Pangilinan Design Studio Inc and RVP Design & Development Consultants were each served warrant by teams from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division. The warrants were issued by the Manila Trial Court against the two companies for their alleged use in their businesses of pirated computer software. According to the NBI, Wang Pangilinan Design Studio, Inc. offers architectural and CAD drafting services with specialization in dining and restaurants, while RVP Design & Development Consultants, Inc. offers architectural and interior designing services. During the raid last Tuesday, seven computers loaded with suspected pirated and unlicensed copies of AutoCAD, Autodesk Architectural Desktop and 3D Studio Max software were found from Wang Pangilinan Design Studio. Meanwhile, the NBI seized 11 computers loaded with suspected pirated and unlicensed AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max and AutoCAD Revit Architecture software from RVP Design & Development Consultants. “These companies have intellectual creations of their own. It is just proper for them to acquire legal licenses for the software that they are using, just as they would expect others to respect their own intellectual property rights," NBI Director Nestor Mantaring pointed out. Software piracy is a violation of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and is punishable by up to nine years imprisonment and a fine of up to P1.5 million. - GMANews.TV