UPDATE: Southeastern College filed the civil case this noon, and Microsoft Philippines has issued a statement saying it tried to resolve the dispute before the case was filed.
Here’s an INQUIRER.net VDO Clip taken by our reporter Lawrence Casiraya, showing Estelito Mendoza, the legal counsel for Pasay City-based Southeastern College, describing the P100-million copyright infringement case.
HERE’S an excerpt from INQUIRER.net reporter Lawrence Casiraya’s Breaking News story:
A Pasay City school is scheduled to file at noon Monday a civil case against software firm Microsoft Corp. and its local subsidiary, Microsoft Philippines, for alleged illegal distribution of copyrighted material.
The case stemmed from Microsoft’s allegedly unauthorized and illegal “digital copying” and distribution of a locally developed manual on the use of Microsoft Office. Ironically, Microsoft has been at the forefront of attempting to curb the illegal distribution of its own copyrighted software in the Philippines, working with the Optical Media Board and the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team.
The registered copyright of the manual in question is owned by Southeastern College (SEC), which is set to file the case against Seattle, US-based Microsoft and its Philippine office at the Makati City Regional Trial Court.
Interestingly enough, Microsoft Philippines is holding its media Christmas party tonight.
December 27th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I think that this is really simple:
If Microsoft has a written agreement or contract with SEC stating that they can do what they did do, like changing the title, making digital copies, and distributing them for free, then they should show it to defend themselves.
If they do not, then Microsoft Philippines is in big trouble.
If SEC wants P100 million, then they should prove that this is the true economic value of their training manual.
Of course, there is always the matter of punitive damages.
As for those defending a wrong with a right (if proven in court), shame on you people… if you are indeed a teacher, what kind of warped moral values are you teaching this nation’s children?
December 20th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
that’s what you call: KARMA!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Marami din kaming natutunan sa Microsoft ng libre …. dapat pasalamatan natin.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Right! we should be thankful with the microft for helping us shaping our educational system through the use of technolgy…….
December 20th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
….. inisip lang ng SEC ay ang kanilang interest hindi nila inisip ang tulong ng Microsoft para sa pag angat ng edukasyon sa lahat ng mga Pilipino….
December 20th, 2007 at 8:43 am
probably microsoft in their part made an honest mistake.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:41 am
i really dont get it, is SEC trying to milk microsoft for an easy cash?? i guess not? this copyright infringement issue is simply blown into massive proportions.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
haha lufet ng SEC… magandang promotion to
Grad din ako dito hehe..
December 18th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
what now, Microsoft? why don’t you police people in your own rank who have pirate’s mentality?
December 18th, 2007 at 9:40 am
wahahahahaha!!!!!!GO SEC!!!!!! let them taste and feel of what is being sued. interestingly enough it is not our fault why there are so many fake O.S. and programs coming out coz they charge us a heck of a lot here in the phils. than other countries.and it is not our fault why there are many fake O.S., go ask INDIA!!!!!(especially Amit Talkin) there are a lot of programmers there than here in the phils. and they are much better!!(Sorry fellow Filipinos but it is true!!)
December 17th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Where is the OMB in this? Why are they quiet? What about the much vaunted Philippine Anti-Piracy Team?
Do they exist only to protect foreign IP? Shouldn’t they be more vigilant in protecting Philippine Intellectual Property considering that it is Philippine Taxpayers who fund their operations?
Doesn’t the Law apply to all or none at all?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
yes, indeed.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Ha! A taste of their own medicine. Go SEC dyan kami nag high-school.
December 17th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
is the microsoft xmas party going to be held at Southeastern College in Pasay City?