Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc) responded to the copyright infringement complaint filed against them by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.
On July 12, the legendary trio, together with Eat Bulaga’s former head writer Jeny Ferre accused TAPE Inc. and GMA Network of copyright infringement for replaying past episodes of the noontime show without their permission.
The Marikina Regional Trial Court gave thirty days to TAPE and GMA to comment on the complaint filed against them.
Meanwhile, TAPE Inc’s legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Garduque argued that TVJ could not file a copyright infringement complaint against their former production company.
She argued that copyright infringement could not be filed against TAPE Inc. because they’re the registered trademark owner of Eat Bulaga title.
“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 trade name Eat Bulaga so they cannot file infringement against the registered owner of the trademark,” Garduque said.
It can be recalled that TAPE executives already showed several documents to prove that they’re the rightful owner of Eat Bulaga, despite the claims made by the TVJ that they invented the said title.
Aside from Eat Bulaga title, TAPE also registered several popular segments of the noontime show, including ‘Juan for All, All for Juan,’ ‘Pinoy Henyo,’ and ‘Bawal Judgmental.’
Observers expected that the legal battle between TVJ and Eat Bulaga may last several years since the opposing camps were influential.