ICYMI: TVJ files copyright infringement, unfair competition complaint vs TAPE, GMA

The battle is not over yet on who really owns the title "Eat Bulaga!"

Screenshot from TVJ FB page

TVJ vs TAPE, GMA

According to News5, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon filed a complaint against their former production company and network for the continued use of the title "Eat Bulaga!"

Pinasasagot na ng Marikina Regional Trial Court Branch 273 ang Television and Production Exponents (TAPE), Inc. At GMA Network, Inc. dahil sa pag-ere ng mga episode at paggamit ng "Eat Bulaga" nang walang pahintulot sa creators nitong sina Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, at Joey de Leon (TVJ), it said in a post.

News5 said the complaint was filed on June 30.

TAPE and GMA have 30 days to file their response with the court, Rappler reported.

Responding to the complaint, PhilStar reported that TAPE's legal counsel Maggie Garduque said "It is not a copyright infringement. Eat Bulaga name, the design of the name and the logo is a trademark and not subject of copyright."

TAPE Inc. has the registration of the tradename Eat Bulaga so they cannot file infringement against the registered owner of the trademark, she said.

Their petition for cancellation of trademark of Eat Bulaga is still pending before the IPO and until such time that said petition is granted, the trademark Eat Bulaga and EB will be owned by TAPE Inc, she added.

GMA-7, meanwhile, said "We will refer the complaint to our legal counsel, Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion, and Lucila Law Offices."

To recall, TVJ and the rest of the legit dabarkads left TAPE in May due to internal conflicts.

They then signed an agreement with TV5 to be able to air their show, while TAPE’s Eat Bulaga launched a new set of hosts, headed by Paolo Contis.

TVJ launched their new show "EAT" on TV5 on July 1.

Rappler said in its report that the trademark for the title "Eat Bulaga!" was owned by TAPE until June 14 when its registration expired. The trio then filed a petition seeking to cancel TAPE's trademark, alleging that the registration was "obtained fraudulently."

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Via: News5, PhilStar, Rappler