Annual harassment letter from "Pilipinas Anti Piracy"

**digitalron** · August 8th, 2011 03:51 PM

My cynical take on this:

Software sales are probably down this year and some companies are lobbying the PAPT to help hit targets.

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We have hundreds of millions of pesos worth of licenses, and all our installs are fully documented... and yet we get "visited" almost yearly. Hopefully this year is different... but that's probably wishful thinking.

**ghosthunter** · August 8th, 2011 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by digitalron

My cynical take on this:

Software sales are probably down this year and some companies are lobbying the PAPT to help hit targets.

Software companies uses this annually to boost their sales, especially when nearing the end of their fiscal year. Number one would be Microsoft.

Part of the US/Phil relations agreement that we cut down on software piracy.

**Wh1stl3r** · August 8th, 2011 05:00 PM

My friend was sent a similar letter last year. She was wondering why it was addressed to her, as she wasn't even in the IT department or upper management. We repeatedly tried calling the numbers in the letter but consistently there was no answer. Their legal department sent photocopies of the licenses on each computer. Still no answer from PAPT, OMB or NBI. Makes me feel that it might be a "fund raising" scheme for these "agents".

**ghosthunter** · August 8th, 2011 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Wh1stl3r

My friend was sent a similar letter last year. She was wondering why it was addressed to her, as she wasn't even in the IT department or upper management. We repeatedly tried calling the numbers in the letter but consistently there was no answer. Their legal department sent photocopies of the licenses on each computer. Still no answer from PAPT, OMB or NBI. Makes me feel that it might be a "fund raising" scheme for these "agents".

It is just PAPT's job to carpet bomb the entire metro with it's warning letters to all potential business offices.

Business owners, who don't know better, would panic and buy enough legit copies for all his PCs. That makes US based software companies happy and that makes Uncle Sam happy too until same time next year.

**ghosthunter** · July 19th, 2012 11:36 AM

Just a heads up that it's almost that time of year for the "Pilipinas Anti-Piracy" team to start sending out their annual greeting letters & scare tactics.

Their website....

LINK: Pilipinas Anti Piracy Team

**oj88** · July 19th, 2012 12:48 PM

If a company needs a specific commercial software in order to do business, I think it's only fair that they buy the licenses for it. PAPT, Microsoft, etc. is not forcing anyone (beyond strong marketing) to use commercial software.

**ghosthunter** · October 29th, 2012 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by oj88

If a company needs a specific commercial software in order to do business, I think it's only fair that they buy the licenses for it. PAPT, Microsoft, etc. is not forcing anyone (beyond strong marketing) to use commercial software.

Is that the current terminology for scare tactics or scare marketing?

**oj88** · October 29th, 2012 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

Is that the current terminology for scare tactics or scare marketing?

As we're living in the p2p generation, software makers are probably stressing the point that software piracy is punishable by law. I would like to think that if one's software is properly licensed, that notice will just be all bark and no bite.

It's almost the same as getting a final notice from the electric company that they'll cut off your power if you don't pay within the next several days.

Btw, I don't work for MS or any software company, but I eat, drink and sleep I.T.

**ghosthunter** · October 29th, 2012 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by oj88

As we're living in the p2p generation, software makers are probably stressing the point that software piracy is punishable by law. I would like to think that if one's software is properly licensed, that notice will just be all bark and no bite..

I do know it's more bark than bite (more fishing expedition than anything else) but I still resent it whenever their letters arrive on my desk.

It makes me feel as if I have been unjustly accused of a crime I didn't commit.

**oj88** · October 29th, 2012 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

I do know it's more bark than bite (more fishing expedition than anything else) but I still resent it whenever their letters arrive on my desk.

It makes me feel as if I have been unjustly accused of a crime I didn't commit.

I hear you. I guess it's one thing to read about it on the paper and another if it's specifically addressed to you.