Former Eat Bulaga Creative Head, Jeny Ferre, wanted Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.) to be held accountable for copyright infringement and for using the concept of the segments she invented for Eat Bulaga.
According to the complaint filed by Ferre, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, they wanted the court to stop TAPE Inc. from airing replayed episodes of Eat Bulaga and also to forbid them from using the theme song, segments, and its titles.
“Given that plaintiffs are the creative force behind the subject show EAT BULAGA, its elements, musical arrangements, and segments, it follows that plaintiffs own the copyright over (a) the Subject Show EAT BULAGA, its elements and derivative works (such as its jingle/music, and varied logo designs), and its individual segments (such as Pinoy Henyo and Juan For All, All For Juan); and (b) the audiovisual recordings thereof.” the 45-page complaint reads.
The complainants also asked TAPE Inc. to pay P21-M.
Ferre was the brain behind the popular segments of Eat Bulaga, including Pinoy Henyo, Kalyeserye, Bawal Judgmental, and Juan For All, All For Juan.
However, TAPE Inc. executives insisted that they had the right to use the title of Eat Bulaga and its segments because they’re paying the writers to be ‘creative’ for them.
“Wala ba siyang sweldo? Diba, it’s part of her job to create that?” Jalosjos said. “Huwag na natin pahirapan pa. Yung mga writers ng isang show, puwede ba nila i-claim na sa kanila na yun while they’re being paid salaries, allowances?” an executive of TAPE said.
“While you’re being paid to be [a] creative, and then what you created is yours? Is that right?” he added.