OMB orders CD-R King to pay P1.5M for illegal importation

[Monseratto]

Malaking legit na kompanya tapos gumagamit ng illegal software at smuggling...tsk tsk tsk

MANILA, Philippines -- The Optical Media Board (OMB) has ordered CD-R King, one of the country’s biggest suppliers of optical media and related technology products, to pay P1.5 million in administrative penalties.

This was after the OMB, through the Bureau of Customs, found that the company was allegedly importing optical media discs without proper import permits from the agency, according to Cyrus Valenzuela, officer-in-charge of legal service division of OMB, in an interview.

The OMB sent its order Tuesday to CD-R King, informing them of their administrative violation of provisions of Republic Act 9239, or the Optical Media Act of 2003.

CD-R King is a registered company allowed by the OMB to import blank, rewritable optical discs. Valenzuela said that the OMB is also seeking the cancellation of the license of CD-R King to sell optical media in the country. CD-R King, however, still has a chance to appeal to OMB about the cancellation of its license, the government executive said.

The OMB has asked the CD-R King to produce a report of optical media discs they have brought into the country.

“They were ordered to give their inventory for the past three years The law requires them to maintain inventory of up to five years,” the government executive said.

The Bureau of Customs seized optical media discs on January 21 allegedly being imported by CD-R King, which OMB later found to be lacking proper import permits.

Coincidentally, OMB has recently conducted its “validation inspection” to verify a tip it received that the same company was using unlicensed software in its operations in the country.

“We were disappointed to find that CD-R King might be using pirated software in their operations,” said Atty. Rosendo Meneses, Executive Director of the Optical Media Board, in a separate interview.

OMB is now verifying the software inspected in CD-R King branches if they’re indeed legitimate software, the government executive said.

At least 20 agents of the OMB were sent to branches of CD-R King, namely SM Fairview, Park Square, MRT Ayala Station, Starmall, SM Marilao, Trinoma, SM Megamall and SM Valenzuela.

The OMB’s inspection sought to verify allegations that CD-R King was using pirated software, the agency said. This was also after they’ve conducted their own surveillance of the company.

Valenzuela said CD-R King is given until end of the week to show that they were not using any unlicensed software.

[shadow]

now we know why they products are cheap....

[boybi]

It's not surprising. With their pricing, the products are definitely smuggled or very much under declared in value.

[aga_cruz]

wala na lang masilip yan kaya pati cd r king binubusisi marami pa nagigiging smug dito sa pinas ayun muna unahin nila

[shadow]

wala na lang masilip yan kaya pati cd r king binubusisi marami pa nagigiging smug dito sa pinas ayun muna unahin nila

huh!? tama naman ginawa nila ah? kung illegal importation ginawa ng CDR-king then dapat parusahan sila...bakit kailangan unahin yun iba?

[Djerms]

Tama lang yan. I don't mind paying a higher price as long as legal ang pamamalakad. Aba legal akong nagtatrabaho at kumikita ah.

[chilli]

Hmm actually based on sa information, Philippines daw is included sa talamak na camcording countries. Example ipapalabas ng Friday, Sunday nasa Quiapo na, sometimes Sat naman nasa ******* na.

[badsekktor]

that is why i avoid buying unbranded blank cds. i bought some unbranded blanks from them before and about 20 % nung mga cds eh sira at hindi magamit. I am also not surprised since it is really quite impossible to sell those products to as much as nothing.

[MAXBUWAYA]

sisiw ang 1.5 sa CDR king

Pero this shop rocks!!!

[theveed]

Well, OMB is doing their job, so hats off to them... I think the fee imposed has its basis coz if they're just trying to extort, 1.5M is peanuts for such a successful retail outlet.