The countdown to hunt users of pirated software begins as the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team gears up for its quest in cracking down piracy.

The team is composed of members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Optical Media Board, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Intellectual Property Coalition.

The team, in cooperation with the Business Software Alliance (BSA), started with a 30-day countdown on Aug. 17. Companies are expected to correct license misuse before Sept. 17, when the crackdown begins.

The nationwide crackdown phase will comprise of series of raids against software copyright violators.

Individuals who wish to report software piracy cases may get in touch with the BSA through its anti-piracy hot lines at 819-5897 for Metro Manila residents and the toll-free 1-800-1-888-8787 for those residing outside

Metro Manila.

BSA gives a reward of up to P1 million for reports on companies using unlicensed software.