Man indicted for copyright infringement

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a man before the court for violation of the copyright infringement law.

Associate Prosecution Attorney II Jennifer Karen Alo-Leyson held Joseph Fabroa for trial for violation of Section 177 in relation to Section 217.1 of Republic Act 8293 known as Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

“…being then an on-the-job trainee as sales representative or technician of (name of company withheld), with deliberate intent, with intent to defraud Microsoft Corporation, did then and there unlawfully, willfully and feloniously possess, utilize and install onto the hard drive of one unit Acer Laptop infringed or unlicensed copies of Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate,” the Information reads.

Leyson recommended P10,000 bail for Fabroa’s temporary liberty.

A complaint filed by Microsoft alleged that sometime in May 2013, it received a report that a certain establishment in Cebu City where Fabroa was working for was distributing and selling computers preloaded with unauthorized and reproduced copies of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Software.

The complaint stated that Fabroa allegedly offered to preload Microsoft Windows Operating System and Microsoft Office Software for a fee.

With that, the company sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation. On May 29, 2013, the NBI visited the establishment and simultaneously implemented the search warrant.  (FREEMAN)