NBI to monitor pirated copies of Pacman’s fight

THE National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) warned the public not to produce pirated copies of the upcoming fight of Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

“Tandaan nila, those are pirated copies. Bawal yan. Those items are subject to seizure (Remember that those are pirated copies. Those are illegal and subject to seizure),” said Lauro Reyes, assistant regional director of NBI7.

He said NBI-7 agents may conduct an operation against persons who sell pirated DVDs after the boxing match on Sunday.

But Reyes said the Media Optical Board (OMB) should spearhead the campaign against the “unregulated replication” of the Pacquiao-Morales match.

“We are always open to conduct any operation against pirated DVDs. (But) we can’t do anything without the request of OMB,” he said.

Under Republic Act 9239 or the Optical Media Act of 2003, the state shall “ensure the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights.”

Reyes said he noticed that pirated DVDs of Pacquiao’s matches were sold in various places right after every fight the boxing icon made.

“As long as there are buyers, there will be pirated items. Don’t patronize them (pirated DVD’s),” he said.

To stop the proliferation of the pirates DVDs, Reyes said there should be strict implementation of the law.

Reyes said vendors of pirated items may get used.

However, he said buyers, under the law, are immune of the charges. REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL