Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque insisted that the Eat Bulaga trademark was still registered under her client, Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc.
During a press conference on December 13, the lawyer clarified that TAPE could still use the Eat Bulaga title on their show as the decision of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has not yet been considered final.
It can be recalled that IPOPHL removed the trademark ownership of TAPE over Eat Bulaga branding following the complaint filed by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon against their former production company.
She said that the IPO’s website would support their claims.
“If you check the website of the IPO, makikita niyo pa rin po doon na ‘yun pong status ng registration ng TAPE Incorparated sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ sa IPO ay still registered pa rin po siya. So, you can check it up today, ang registration status ng TAPE Incorporated for ‘Eat Bulaga’ ay still registered po sa kanila existing pa rin and valid,” said lawyer.
“As regards to the status of the application of Joey De Leon for trademark registration, up to this date po, makikita n’yo po sa website, and I can attest to that, ang nakalagay pa rin po ay pending. So pending pa rin po ‘yung kanyang application for registration.” she added.
Atty. Garduque also pointed out that the trademark had not yet been granted to De Leon.
“Ang posisyon po ng TAPE Incorporated as of now, we still have the registration of the trademark of ‘Eat Bulaga.’ As you can see from the website of the IPO, there’s still no award being given to Joey De Leon as regards to the registration or trademark registration of ‘Eat Bulaga,” she stated.
“Kaya po ang posiyon po ng TAPE Incorporated ay maarin pa rin po naming gamitin ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ sa aming show kasi nasa amin pa rin ang trademark registration.Until such time na may pinal na desisyon na hindi na namin ito puwedeng gamitin,” she also said.