Pilipinas Anti Piracy Team

	NBI raids construction, architectural firms allegedly using pirated software Friday, June 27, 2008 Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (NBI-AFCCD) recently swooped down on four construction and architectural firms for allegedly using illegal copies of Autodesk software in their business operations.
	NBI raids Axxis Loyalty Solutions Phils Inc. for alleged use of pirated software Friday, May 30, 2008 The Intellectual Property Rights Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI-IPRD) raided the office of Axxis Loyalty Solutions Phils. Inc. in Ortigas Center, Pasig City last week for allegedly using pirated personal computer (PC) software in its business operations. The raid which was carried out on the strength of search warrants issued by the proper court, resulted in the seizure of P2 million worth of PC units and unlicensed PC software.
	Leading stock brokerage company raided for alleged use of pirated software: NBI seizes computers from AB Capital Securities, Inc.; Company’s top officers, directors could be held liable Wednesday, April 18, 2007 AB Capital Securities, Inc. (ABCSI), a stock brokerage company affiliated with AB Capital Group, one of the Philippines' leading financial services institutions, was raided by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) recently for the alleged use of computers with unlicensed software in their business operation.
	Anti-Software Piracy Crackdown Resumes: NBI seizes PhP 28.5 M worth of computers with pirated software in recent raid Friday, February 08, 2008 The Intellectual Property Rights Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (IPRD-NBI) resumed its relentless software piracy crackdown as it raided the offices of Steel Systems Engineering Philippines Consultancy, Inc. located at the 2nd to the 7th floors and the Penthouse of Rima Building in Kawilihan Lane corner Shaw Blvd., Pasig City for allegedly using pirated software in its operations.
	PNP seizes 95 computers with pirated software from Internet Cafes in Intramuros Tuesday, November 27, 2007 The Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT) entered another software pirates infested territory as agents of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division (AFCCD) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) swooped down on Internet Cafes in Intramuros and confiscated 95 computers loaded with allegedly pirated business software. The 95 computers were valued at P2.6 million.
	Anti-Piracy Team warns businesses using pirated software: "Your days are numbered!" Tuesday, November 27, 2007 The Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team, a government-led initiative composed of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Optical Media Board (OMB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), declared in a press briefing that the intensive enforcement actions against all forms of businesses involved in the use and distribution of pirated and unlicensed software will continue unabated in the coming weeks.

PAPT CITES PROGRESS IN TWO YEARS

Manila, Philippines - The Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT), a government-led initiative composed of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Optical Media Board (OMB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), cited significant progress in its battle against software piracy as it marked the second anniversary of its formation.

It was in August 2005 that the three enforcement agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding that became the embodiment of the Philippine government’s efforts to eliminate software piracy and promote faster growth of the country’s information technology (IT) industry.

“The creation of the PAPT was a big step forward as it enabled the three major enforcement agencies in the Philippines to forge closer cooperation and coordination among themselves in enforcing the IP law against businesses that deal with unlicensed software, whether as a seller or an end-user,” said Edu Manzano, chairman of the Optical Media Board and spokesperson of the PAPT.

The launch of the PAPT in 2005 was marked by a 30-day reprieve prior to the start of the intensive enforcement campaign. This was to give companies time to check their software licenses and allow them to correct any violation of the IP laws.

This “countdown-before-the-crackdown” phase created quite a stir and impelled many companies to check on their software management, procurement procedures and usage. After the reprieve expired, the PAPT lost no time in conducting a series of 12 raids till the end of the year, resulting in more than P12 million worth of computers and software seized.

In 2006, the campaign continued with the number of raids increasing to 22 and the value of confiscated goods rising to more than P55 million. From January to August 2007 alone, the PAPT has already undertaken 26 raids. This brought the total number of raids conducted in the last two years to 60 and the value of hardware and software seized to more than P135 million.

Companies that were raided included construction and engineering firms, call centers, design studios, a drug testing center, internet cafes and computer stores among others. The PAPT raids were conducted, not only in Metro Manila, but in other areas around the country including Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga; Balanga in Bataan; Olongapo in Zambales; Lucena in Quezon; Cebu and Mandaue in Cebu province and Tacloban City in Leyte.

In August 2006, in celebration of the Team’s first anniversary, PAPT launched its own PAPT website, www.papt.org.ph, which made information on the Team and its activities readily accessible to the general public. The website also contains important information such as resources on the IP Code of the Philippines and Optical Media Act. Software piracy is a violation of the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of the Philippines and is punishable by up to nine years imprisonment and a fine of up to 1.5 million pesos.