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 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?