Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon collectively known as TVJ filed copyright infringement charges against Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. and GMA Network, the producer and broadcaster of ‘Eat Bulaga!’
The complaint stems from the alleged unauthorized airing of an ‘Eat Bulaga!’ episode on June 30 featuring the presence of TVJ without their consent.
On Wednesday, July 12, the defendants TAPE Inc. and GMA Network received summons from the Marikina Court, mandating them to file a response to the complaint within 30 days.
GMA Network released a statement on their official Instagram account, acknowledging the complaint and stating that they would refer the matter to their legal counsel, Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Offices.
“STATEMENT OF GMA NETWORK ON TVJ COMPLAINT AGAINST TAPE AND GMA.”
“We will refer the complaint to our legal counsel, Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Offices.”
As of this writing, no official statement has been issued by TAPE Inc. or the Jalosjos brothers, the current owners of TAPE, Inc.
According to News5 reports, TVJ filed the complaint on Friday, June 30, following the unauthorized airing and replaying of ‘Eat Bulaga’ episodes by TAPE and GMA Network without TVJ’s consent.
It is worth noting that last May 31, TVJ and the rest of the Dabarkads including JoWaPao, Maine Mendoza, and Ryzza Mae Dizon were not allowed to go live by TAPE Inc. Instead, past episodes of the show were played.
Subsequently, TVJ and the Dabarkads resigned from TAPE Inc. and signed a deal with MediaQuest Holdings Inc. to move to TV5 where their new noontime show ‘E.A.T.’ premiered last July 1.
Former senator Tito Sotto also recently expressed that TAPE Inc. has no right to celebrate Eat Bulaga’s 44th anniversary on July 29 amidst the ongoing dispute.
As the legal battle between TVJ and TAPE Inc. and GMA Network continues, it remains to be seen which side is in the right.
Meanwhile, viewers can continue to choose from the three shows airing at noontime from Monday to Saturday. ‘E.A.T.’ airs on TV5 and ‘Eat Bulaga!’ on GMA Network, while ABS-CBN’s ‘It’s Showtime’ airs on GMA’s GTV, A2Z channel, and other online platforms.
