“Isa lang ang pwedeng tawaging ‘Eat Bulaga,’ at ayun ang ‘Eat Bulaga!’ dito sa TV5,” Vic Sotto says
Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon—collectively known as TVJ—have proudly unveiled the new logo of “Eat Bulaga!”
This comes after the Marikina Regional Trial Court acknowledged them as the rightful trademark owners of “Eat Bulaga!” and not its producer, TAPE Inc., which TVJ revealed via Facebook Live on Friday, January 5.
On Saturday, January 6, TVJ showcased the new logo on its official Facebook page, as it was also the first time that the TV5 show—which they called E.A.T. while the case was still ongoing—used the title.
The TVJ trio and the Dabarkads played the theme song of “Eat Bulaga!” with the new logo displayed in the background.
In his spiels, Vic emphasized that there is only one “Eat Bulaga!” and that it is the program that airs on TV5.
“Isa lang po ang sinasabi ng batas pati ng mga manonood, isa lang ang pwedeng tawaging ‘Eat Bulaga!’ At ayun ang ‘Eat Bulaga!’ dito sa TV5!”
“Tahanang Pinakamasaya”
Simultaneously, TAPE Inc, on the same day, announced the new title of its noontime show as “Tahanang Pinakamasaya.”
During the program, hosts Paolo Contis and Isko Moreno acknowledged the court’s decision on the usage of their show’s former title.
Isko said, “Mga Kapuso, may balita tayong natanggap kahapon, kaya susunod tayo sa desisyon ng korte. Pero fresh episode tayo mula ngayon at laging good vibes lang at love love lang.”
Meanwhile, GMA-7, the network carrying the airing rights to TAPE Inc.’s noontime show, issued a statement following the court order.
The statement reads: “For accuracy and clarity of the public, the Regional Trial Court clearly found that GMA did not commit any act of copyright infringement or unfair competition against the plaintiffs as it was merely complying with its contractual commitments under its airtime agreement with co-defendant TAPE. In fact, the Court found that GMA was a mere nominal party to TVJ’s suit. And the latter never claimed any damages in their complaint as against GMA.
“We will comply with the directive of the Court on the airing of ‘Eat Bulaga!’ episodes in our platforms.
“Nevertheless, GMA Network will refer the matter to our external counsel to avail of the proper remedies before the appellate courts.”
READ ALSO: Get to Know the Chaleco Boys of “Eat Bulaga!”
Copyright issue
TVJ was granted initial rights to the “Eat Bulaga!” logo back in December 3, 2023. Substantiated by the Intellectual Property Office, the ruling favored the trio for being able to produce substantial rationale on how they coined the contested name.
READ ALSO: Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon Win Over TAPE on ‘Eat Bulaga!” Trademark Case
More than that, the trio was deemed as the true owner after their move of registering the mark under the Intellectual Property of the Philippines in February 2023 for Classes 16, 18, 21, 25, 41.
TAPE, however, was not able to produce sound reasoning behind the “Eat Bulaga!” mark, stripping them of the right to use the trademark and its multiple variations.
The months-long battle over the name started when TVJ decided to leave “Eat Bulaga!” on TAPE and bring the trademark with them.
READ: Here’s A Round-Up On The Latest “Eat Bulaga!” Controversy
Additional Report Rod Hagen
Banner Art Paulo Correa
