The Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT) continues its crackdown on software piracy and this time targets retail stores and businesses in Southern Luzon. For the month of May, the PAPT will visit Laguna, Batangas and Cavite to check if the retailers and businesses are selling and using unlicensed software.
Establishments or randomly selected retailers and businesses are required to show proof of compliance that they are selling and using properly licensed software. The unscheduled inspections seek to limit the sale and use of illegal software and ensure that organizations in the country are only using genuine software in their PCs.
Software piracy is a violation of the copyright provisions of the IP code of the Philippines (RA 8293) and Optical Media Act (RA 9239). Infringers could face up to nine years of imprisonment and or a fine of up to PHP1.5 million.
Composed of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Optical Media Board (OMB), the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT) was formed last 2005 and has partnered with IP Coalition and Business Software Alliance to counteract the negative effects of software piracy on the local IT industry and economy.
“œAt PAPT, we are committed to address the sale of counterfeit and pirated software in the country. We have been implementing strong initiatives to address this issue,” said OMB Chairman Ronnie Ricketts. “œBeyond inspections, we include in our efforts campaigns to educate and inform the public on the associated risks of using illegal software. For one, the purchase and use of illegal software, without them knowing, could be funding other illegal activities,” he added.
“œWhile intellectual property awareness in the country has improved considerably, there are still businesses in the Philippines that continue to resort to illegal software. Businesses must know that the use of pirated software raises the risks of malware infections that may disrupt their operations, resulting in lower productivity and higher IT costs,” said IPOPHL Director General Ricardo Blancaflor.
For more information on PAPT call (02) 368 5787 or visit www.papt.org.ph