TAPE Inc. renews 'Eat Bulaga!' trademark for another 10 years
The IPO has granted TAPE Inc. a 10-year renewal of the Eat Bulaga! trademark amid its ongoing legal dispute with the noontime show's former hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon (TVJ).
GMA Integrated News received a copy of the Certificate of Renewal of Registration from the production company, according to a report by 24 Oras on Saturday, Aug. 5.
The Intellectual Property of the Philippines renewed the trademark registration under TAPE Inc. on June 14. It will last until June 14, 2033.
TAPE's trademark on Eat Bulaga! expired in June this year since the previous 10-year ownership period already lapsed. Chief finance officer Seth Frederick "Bullet" Jalosjos said the company had already applied for renewal at the time.
TVJ alongside former TAPE president Antonio Tuviera applied for a trademark in February, involving merchandise content and entertainment services. The following month, De Leon filed an application on behalf of TVJ, which only involves the latter.
On June 2, the trio filed a petition to cancel TAPE's trademark for "Eat Bulaga!" and "EB" on the grounds of “fraudulent” registration.
They also filed a copyright infringement and unfair competition complaint against TAPE Inc. and GMA Network on June 30 following their decision to air and replay some of the noontime show’s episodes without TVJ's consent.
TVJ announced they have parted ways with the EB producers last May 31 after rumors about an Eat Bulaga! rebranding—and the trio getting fired—broke out amid financial losses. After the announcement, staff members, including hosts, writers, sales, production, and cameramen, tendered their resignation.
Eat Bulaga! went on with its live airing and introduced a new set of hosts on June 5, while TVJ and other Dabarkads joined TV5 and aired their new show E.A.T. on July 1.