Filtered By: Topstories
News

NBI raids award-winning game developer for using pirated software


MANILA, Philippines – Government agents recently raided Anino Games Inc., an award-winning pioneer in the third-party game development in the Philippines, for allegedly using pirated design software, GMANews.TV learned on Tuesday. At team of agents from the National Bureau of Investigation raided the firm's office at the 14th floor of the Vernida 4 Building in Salcedo Village, Makati, last August 22. The team had a search warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court. The agents seized 36 computers loaded with pirated copies of various multimedia and entertainment software, including 3D Studio Max 2008, 3D Studio Max 9, AutoDesk Maya 8.5, AutoCAD 2008, AutoDesk Maya 2008, and Combustion 4. Pirated installers of the software mentioned were also found in AGI's server. NBI assistant regional director Vicente de Guzman, who heads the NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (NBI-AFCCD), acknowledged the capability of the company, but said: "We acknowledge that seizure of computers will cause the company's operation to stop, but we are mandated by the law to take these computers as evidence. Companies should realize that using pirated software exposes their business not only to security risks, but also to risks of being raided and ultimately loss in productivity." 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. AGI became popular for releasing the first Filipino-made game, Anito: Defend a Land Enraged, which put the country on the game industry world map. Anito won numerous international awards, including those from the Independent Games Festival 2004. Other award-winning games produced by AGI include Anima Wars (International Mobile Gaming Awards 2006), Anito: Tersiago's Wrath (Nokia Series60 challenge, Singapore 2003), Deep Interactive Pursuit (Best Casual Game nominee in the 2007 International Mobile Gaming Awards), and Word Archery (Indie Game Showcase 2007). The software piracy complaint against AGI was filed by Autodesk, Inc., a software company specializing in multimedia, entertainment, and design innovation technology. Autodesk Inc. is a member of the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a staunch supporter of the government in its fight against software piracy. BSA offers a reward of up to P1 million to anyone who provides information leading to a successful action and prosecution against a business establishment using pirated software. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT