NBI seizes ‘book-a-likes’ in raid on ‘University of Recto’

Manila's so-called University of Recto — a stretch of establishments notorious for faking school and official documents — will now be notorious as well for faking textbooks.

Hundreds of book-a-likes — cheap photocopied versions of the real thing — were seized by the National Bureau of Investigation in a raid along C.M. Recto Avenue in the City of Manila.

The NBI agents also seized the printing presses and photocopying machines used to produce the book-a-likes, GMA News' John Consulta reported on "24 Oras."

Operatives from the NBI's Intellectual Property Rights Division found the items being sold alongside the real books.

"Itong mga librong ito ay napakamura at ang perang naibibigay sa kanila hindi napupunta sa manunulat ng mga librong ito," said Anthony Bengzon, lawyer of Rex Bookstore, which publishes and sells textbooks.

He said they will pursue copyright infringement cases against the owners of the bookstore and printing press.

But the owner of the raided bookstore said in a text message that it got its books from its supplier in good faith.

Meanwhile, the NBI took the printing and photocopying machines and books to prevent them from being sold.

Also, the NBI said it will document the evidence then destroy the book-a-likes. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News