Former Eat Bulaga host Joey de Leon shared his thoughts about the possible trademark battle between him and Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.)
It can be recalled that officials of TAPE claimed that they own the trademark for the title ‘Eat Bulaga’ so they have the right to use the same title even if Joey, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and other original hosts of the show left already.
“Syempre, kami po ang nag-trademark niyan ‘nung 2011. And we also had another application 1991. So just the fact na walang iba na nag-oppose. None of them, none of the TVJs, No one oppose our filing for the trademark of Eat Bulaga, it just means to say na talagang it’s clear. The name stays with us, the company and with the incorporation. So hindi po talaga pwedeng madala po ‘yung Eat Bulaga,” one of the officials of TAPE said.
In his social media post, Joey made an indirect response to the statement made by the official, saying that he couldn’t believe that Eat Bulaga title would be claimed by somebody after 44 years.
“Noong maisip, binuo at imungkahi ko ang pangalang “EAT BULAGA!” para sa aming palabas nung 1979, naramdaman kong kahit ito ang napili at tinanggap ng marami sa namumuno, matagal-tagal ding ninamnam ito hanggang sa tumining; wari bang isang aampunin na may kaibang tunog at kaiba sa paningin.” Joey said.
“Tila ba kailangan mong masanay lunukin. Aakalain ba nyong makalipas ang 44 na taon o halos LIMANG DEKADA, ang pangalang ito ay pag-aawayan, pag-aagawan at marami ang nais na umangkin?!” he added.
Tito already said that they’re planning to bring the issue to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to determine the rightful owner of Eat Bulaga branding.
The host expressed confidence that they would win the case and even planning to charge TAPE Inc. for using Eat Bulaga title.