Panalo ulit ang TVJ laban sa TAPE Inc.
Inilabas na ng Marikina City Regional Trial Court (Branch 273) ang decision sa “copyright infringement and unfair competition na isinampa nina Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto at Joey de Leon laban sa programa.
“Nanalo tayo, atin talaga ang Eat Bulaga,” masayang pahayag ng TVJ.
“Tayo po ay pinanigan ng korte sa ating sinasabi na tayo po ang may-ari ng Eat Bulaga,” dagdag pa ni Tito Sen matapos ngang kumpirmahin ng Marikina court na sila talaga ang nagmamay-ari ng pamagat na Eat Bulaga.
Naunang nagsalita si Vic ng “Sa kasalukuyan po ay nagmi-meeting kami tungkol sa kung anong mga plano for the new year, for 2024, ‘yung mga pinagpaplanuhan para mas mapaganda ang ating programang Eat Bulaga.
“Ngayon at exactly 4:23 ng hapon, kani-kanina lang, mainit-init pa, nakatanggap po si Tito Sen ng isang e-mail, ito po ay may kinalaman sa desiyon ng korte tungkol po sa Eat Bulaga,” sabi niya.
At binasa niya ang bahagi ng desisyon : “Judgment is hereby rendered in favor of the plaintiffs and against the defendants, permanently enjoining defendants Television and Production Exponents, Inc. and GMA Network, Inc. from:
“1. Using the trademarks “EB”, “Eat Bulaga”, and “Eat Bulaga and EB”, including all the logos associated with the subject marks in its shows, programs, projects or promotions; and
“2. Using the Eat Bulaga jingle/song, or any part thereof, in its shows, programs, projects or promotions; and
“3. Airing and broadcasting a playback of any and all recorded episodes of the Eat Bulaga show prior to 31 May 2023, its segments, or any portion thereof, in all channels and platforms.’
“Moreover... marami pa po, meron pong damages na binabanggit, at lahat po ay in favor sa atin, pati po ang sinabi sa atin na, ‘Pursuant to Sections 151.2 and 161 of RA 8293, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, through its proper unit head/officer, is hereby directed to cause the cancellation of the following trademark registrations in the name of Television and Production Exponents, Inc. from its records, database and/or registry, to wit:’
“‘Yun po ‘yung pinakalaman nung dispositive portion.”
“Madaling salita, nanalo po tayo,” ang buong paglalahad ni tito Sen sa naging desisyon ng korte.
“Tayo po ay pinanigan ng korte ‘yung ating sinasabi na tayo po ang may-ari ng Eat Bulaga.”
“Maraming salamat sa inyong pagtangkilik, maraming salamat sa mga dasal, unang-una sa lahat, sa Panginoong Diyos. Thank you very much, my dear Lord God,” mahabang pahayag ni Tito Sen.
“Sa madaling salita, atin talaga ang Eat Bulaga,” sabi ulit ni Vic.
Ayon naman kay Atty. Maggie Garduque ng TAPE : “Yes i already saw the decision dated Dec 22, 2023 but released by the court this January. Initial reaction, among others, we were surprised that the court ruled on trademark and trademark infringement when the case pending in court is copyright infringement. We will definitely file an appeal to this decision.”