Pharmaceutical firm slams PAPT report on pirated software

AP FILE

MANILA, Philippines – A pharmaceutical firm named among the Top 10 businesses allegedly using illegal software has denied a report released recently by an anti-piracy group.

Lloyd Laboratories Inc. denounced its inclusion in the list by the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT), composed of the Optical Media Board (OMB), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

The group recently conducted a crackdown of companies said to be using illegal software in Metro manila, Pampanga and Bulacan.

In a letter to INQUIRER.net, Sonny Bob P. Cardinal, Intellectually Property Research Pharmacist of Lloyd laboratories Inc., said the their company was “compliant” in the use of licensed software as stated in the inspection order of the OMB in December.

“The report was laden with inaccuracies. The Optical Media Board (OMB) issued an Inspection Order dated Dec.10, 2013, showing that Lloyd Laboratories, Inc. was “COMPLIANT” in the use of licensed software,” Cardinal said.

He said the compliance document was signed by Victorino Simon Jr. and Nerissa Enopia, OMB agent.

Software piracy is a violation of the copyright provisions of the IP code of the Philippines (RA 8293) and Optical Media Act (RA 9239) and carries with it penalties of up to nine years of imprisonment, a fine of up to P1.5 million, or both.

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