CA junks TAPE’s motion for reconsideration in ‘Eat Bulaga!’ copyright infringement case

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) in the copyright infringement case regarding the noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga!”

In a resolution dated Sept. 8 and penned by Associate Justice Zenaida Galapate-Laguilles, the CA said TAPE did not raise new issues in its motion for reconsideration that were already found without merit in its December 2024 ruling.

The CA earlier upheld the January 2024 decision of the Marikina Regional Trial Court that found TAPE and GMA Network Inc. liable for copyright infringement and unfair competition, prohibiting them from using “Eat Bulaga” and “EB” trademarks, logos, and jingles.

The RTC ruled Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, commonly known as TVJ, as the copyright owners of “Eat Bulaga!” audiovisuals recordings and jingles.

The appellate court ordered TAPE to pay the TVJ P2 million as temperate damages, P500,000 as exemplary damages, and P500,000 as attorney’s fees.

In 2023, the TVJ departed from TAPE after Romeo Jalosjos Jr. took over the production company.

After the exit, TAPE continued the variety noontime show with new hosts.

The TVJ and other “Eat Bulaga!” hosts, meanwhile, transferred to TV5, where they created “E.A.T.”

With the court ruling in January 2024, TAPE relaunched the show as “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” and was canceled two months later.