GMA Network head writer and creative consultant Suzette Doctolero expressed her thoughts on social media regarding TVJ’s decision to sue Tape Inc. and GMA Network over the ongoing use of the name ‘Eat Bulaga!’ for their noontime show.
In a tweet on Thursday, July 13, Doctolero shared a screenshot of a social media post by Bored Productive, which included a photo of a board member meeting at TAPE Inc. held in August 2019.
She captioned it with, “Bawal magsinungaling now kasi may mga resibo.”
Bawal magsinungaling now kasi may mga resibo. pic.twitter.com/bFY1PKsQmZ
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 13, 2023
The social media posts appeared to contradict Tito Sotto’s recent statement against TAPE Inc., where he claimed that new officers only joined in February 2023.
“Ano itatapat nila eh wala naman sila doon in the last 43 years? February lang pumasok mga new officers then June ito mga bagitong hosts,” he said.
It also came following news of TVJ filing a complaint against TAPE Inc. and GMA Network for the continued airing of “Eat Bulaga!” episodes and the use of the show’s name.
According to News5, TVJ, and Eat Bulaga! Executive Jenny Ferre filed the complaint on Friday, June 30, and the defendants received a summons on Wednesday, July 12. TAPE and GMA have 30 days to respond to the summons and file their reply with the court.
TVJ, particularly Tito Sotto, strongly believes that the name Eat Bulaga! belongs to them, as Joey de Leon, in particular, invented it. They argue that TAPE Inc. and GMA Network have no right to continue using it.
On the other hand, TAPE Inc., through their lawyer, Atty. Maggie Garduque issued a statement regarding the case.
Garduque emphasized that the Eat Bulaga brand is not protected by copyright because it is a trademark. Therefore, the infringement case has no grounds.
“It is not a copyright infringement. Eat Bulaga name, the design of the name and the logo is a trademark and not subject of copyright.
“TAPE Inc. has the registration of the tradename Eat Bulaga so they cannot file infringement against the registered owner of the trademark.
“Their petition for cancellation of trademark of Eat Bulaga is still pending before the IPO and until such time that said petition is granted, the trademark Eat Bulaga and EB will be owned by TAPE Inc,” she said.
GMA Network, also involved in the case, released a statement referring the complaint to their legal counsel.
“We will refer the complaint to our legal counsel, Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion and Lucila Law Offices,” the network said.
