Court sides with TVJ in 'Eat Bulaga' copyright case vs. TAPE, GMA

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — A regional trial court (RTC) has affirmed that television hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon own the trademarks “Eat Bulaga” and “EB” in a verdict that came weeks after the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO) similarly issued a decision siding with the trio.

The camp of “TVJ” — the name used to collectively refer to the three hosts — announced on Friday that they won in the copyright infringement and unfair competition case they filed against Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) and GMA-7.

According to a release sent by Tito Sotto, the Marikina City RTC Branch 273 handed down the decision on Dec. 22, although TVJ’s lawyers only received a copy on Friday.

It said the court ruled that Joey de Leon came up with the name “Eat Bulaga," as it noted TAPE’s “failure to make a categorical and specific denial of the claim of Joey.”

A portion of the ruling stated that TAPE and GMA are permanently barred from using “EB” and “Eat Bulaga,” as well as the popular noontime show’s jingle.

They were also prohibited from airing and broadcasting a playback of any and all recorded episodes of the show prior to May 31, 2023.

The court further directed TAPE to pay the plaintiffs a total of ₱3 million "for committing unfair competition and copyright infringement," as well as for exemplary damages and attorney’s fee.

On Dec. 5, 2023, the IPO also granted TVJ’s petition to cancel the certificate of registration issued to TAPE in 2013. 

In May 2023, the long-time hosts resigned from the production company, citing mistrust of the new management as one of their reasons. Shortly after, they signed an agreement with Mediaquest Group, making TV5 their new home.

The three have remained firm on keeping the title "Eat Bulaga!" for their new show with TV5.