P2.65-M worth of unauthorized gaming software seized from DataBlitz stores

(UPDATED 5:00 P.M.) MANILA, Philippines -- Illegally sourced software products worth P2.65 million were seized by the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) from several outlets in Metro Manila of a major gaming and software store.

Police conducted raids in DataBlitz outlets based on a complaint filed against the store by X-Play Online Games, Inc., a local distributor of computer gaming software and operator of online multiplayer games.

"This stemmed from the complaint lodged by the head of security of IPE-G, the owner of X-Play," CIDG spokesperson Sr. Insp. Kim Gonzales toild InterAksyon.com in a phone interview Monday night.

X-Play is the exclusive distributor of Blizzard and NBA computer gaming titles in the Philippines.

Eleven search warrants against DataBlitz were issued by the courts, which "were applied last October 31," according to Gonzales.

The DataBlitz branches raided by the police are located in Megamall, Market! Market!, Robinson's Galleria, Rockwell Power Plant, Greenbelt, Expo Exchange, Virra Mall Greenhills, and Robinson's Magnolia, among other outlets.

The software products in question include the recently released NBA 2K13 game, which is exclusively distributed locally by X-Play. DataBlitz has reportedly not been appointed by X-Play as a reseller for the said game title.

Other gaming titles were also reportedly seized by the police, but Gonzales was not able to identify which specific titles they were.

Contrary to earlier reports by some news outlets, the pieces of software seized from DataBlitz were neither counterfeit nor pirated, but were just sold without proper authorization from the local distributor, according to the CIDG official.

Gonzales said DataBlitz would be charged with violation of Section 168 of Republic Act 8293, or the law on unfair competition.

In a statement, X-Play said the complaint was not a "knee-jerk reaction" from their side as executives from the two companies have already met in recent months to thresh out partnership details regarding the launch of a new game.

In a timeline of events sent out to the media, X-Play outlined various meetings with DataBlitz representatives in various occasions in September for the latter to become one of the primary partners for the local release of the NBA 2K13 game, one of the game titles in question.

"While we sympathize with other individuals dragged on by this issue, we stand by our ground to be vigilant in dealing with illegal activities to protect our rights, our partners and our local gaming community," the X-Play statement said.

"DataBlitz’s decision to acquire and distribute NBA 2K13 through unauthorized means despite these efforts, leaves X-Play no other option but to report this to the proper authorities, in which CIDG and the Regional Trail Court took immediate action on," it added.

X-Play stressed that DataBlitz's action was not only detrimental to the company, but to "smaller retailers, game stores, and entrepreneurs as well."

DataBlitz, however, could not be immediately reached for comment as of posting time.

DataBlitz, a 100-store retail chain of gaming software and other entertainment products, is just one of the very few remaining stores in the Philippines where gamers and enthusiasts can order legitimate copies of their favorite computer games.

Recently, DataBlitz became a venue for local pre-orders of popular gaming titles such as Blizzard's Diablo III and World of Warcraft.