Book firm’s complaint spurs NBI raid on copy shops

The National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday conducted raids on three photocopy centers in Metro Manila for violation of the Intellectual Property Code, following complaints over the rampant reproduction of materials particularly from Rex Book Store Inc.

The NBI seized illegally reproduced books, photocopied materials as well as photocopying and bookbinding equipment from Johnel’s Photocopy and Bookbinding at the UP Shopping Center in Quezon City; Nayumi Copy Center in Manila; and Express Copy Shop and General Merchandise on Taft Avenue, Pasay City.

“This is to educate the public that illegally reproducing books is an infringement of copyright,” said Anna Olivia Lee of Bengzon Negre Untalan Intellectual Property Attorneys, the law firm representing Rex Bookstore.

Lee said photocopying a few chapters of a book may still be considered copyright infringement if the reproduction is found to be “substantial.”

Nayumi Copy Center yielded the highest volume of seized photocopied materials, the NBI said.

For first-time offenders, copyright infringement is punishable by imprisonment of one year to three years and fines ranging from P50,000 to P150,000, plus damages.