The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday said officials of two Makati-based companies are facing hefty fines and possible prison terms for using pirated software.

A report by the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team said agents of the NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (NBI-AFCCD) raided the offices of Underground Logic Inc., a leading creative design, visual effects and editorial house with office at the ground floor or Electra House Bldg., 115-117 Esteban St., Legazpi Village, Makati City and PEG South East Asia, Inc., a design engineering company with office at the 4th floor of Universal Re Bldg. 106 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.
 
The NBI teams seized 26 desktops and two laptops from Underground Logic Inc. and 11 desktops and one laptop from PEG South East Asia, Inc. All the seized computers were found loaded with unlicensed and pirated copies of various Autodesk engineering design and multimedia software programs with an accumulated estimated value of P25 million.

“We believe that the two raids conducted by our agents in Makati show that the PAPT – composed of the NBI, OMB and PNP – has been relentless in its efforts to go after companies that continue to use unlicensed software despite repeated reminders,” NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said in a statement.

The use of pirated and unlicensed software is a violation of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines carries a fine of up to P1.5 million and imprisonment of up to nine years.