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NBI seizes computers, pirated Microsoft software in QC raids


The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confiscated some P14 million worth of computers and compact disc installers in simultaneous raids on five business offices in Diliman, Quezon City. Regional Director Elfren Meneses, chief of the NBI-Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), on Saturday said the raids were conducted after representatives of Microsoft Corporation and Autodesk sought the NBI’s help. Meneses said prior to the raids, the NBI received a tip that the offices were allegedly using pirated software copies of Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows ME, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows for workgroup 3.1/3.11, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Encarta, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Micro-soft FoxPro and Microsoft MS-DOS. Likewise, the offices were also allegedly using, pirated copies of AutoCAD software, AutoCAD2000, AutoCAD Release 14, AutoCAD Release 13, AutoCAD Release 12, Auto-CAD Release 11, AutoCAD Release 10, AutoCAD Release 9, Version 2.62, Version 2.5, Version 2.0, AutoSketch, 3D Studio and Animator Pro; as well as user’s manuals for Autodesk, Autolisp and AutoCAD. NBI agents then placed the offices under surveillance and confirmed the reports. Armed with search warrants issued by Judge Mercedes Posada-Lacap, Vice Executive Judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15, NBI agents sprang into action. NBI agents swooped down on the offices of Filipinas Multi-Line Corporation at No. 827 Calderon Building on Edsa. In the raids, authorities seized 40 sets of computers from the offices of Filipinas Multi-Line Corporation and Multi-Line Design Systems and Multi-Line Structures Corporation. The NBI confiscated two CD installers of MS Server 2003, two CD installers of Office 2003, a CD installer of Windows 95 and a CD installer of Windows XP. The owner, employees and occupants of the offices are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines for Copyright Infringement. - GMANews.TV