Panalo sina Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, at Joey de Leon o TVJ sa kasong copyright infringement at unfair competition laban sa TAPE Inc., at GMA Network, Inc.
Ibig sabihin nito, wala nang balakid sa paggamit nila ng titulong Eat Bulaga! sa kanilang programa.
Bandang alas-singko ng hapon ngayong Biyernes, January 5, 2024, inanunsiyo ng TVJ sa kanilang Facebook page ang balita.
Nagkataong nasa TV5 Media Center pa sila nang lumabas ang desisyon ng Branch 273 ng Marikina Regional Trial Court kaya sa set ng noontime show nilang E.A.T. naganap ang announcement.
Kasama rin nilang nagsampa ng kaso ang creativer director ng E.A.T. na si Jeny Ferre at direktor na si Poochie Rivera.
Panimula ni Vic, “Sa lahat ng kaibigan namin, mga nanonood sa Facebook Live, marahil nagtataka kayo kung anong ginagawa namin dito, hindi po kami kakanta, wala po kaming ibebenta, meron lang po kaming sanang gustong ibahagi sa lahat ng ating mga kaibigan, sa lahat ng Dabarkads.
“Kami po ay nasa TV5 Media Center, galing kami sa kasalukayan po, nagmi-meeting kami tungkol sa anong plano for the New Year, for 2024, para mas mapaganda ang ating programang Eat Bulaga!.
“Ngayon, at exactly 4:23 ng hapon, kanina-kanina lang, mainit-init pa, e, nakatanggap si Tito Sen ng email at ito ay may kinalaman sa decision ng korte tungkol sa Eat Bulaga!”
Kasunod nito ang pagbasa ni Tito sa dispositive portion ng desisyon ng Marikina Regional Trial Court.
Saad niya, “Wherefore, justice is hereby rendered in favor of the plaintiffs against the defendants.
“Ang plaintiffs po ay Tito, Vic, Joey, kasama si Jeny at Direk Poochie.
“Permanently enjoining the defendants, Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. and GMA Network, Inc. from:
1. Using the trademarks EB, Eat Bulaga, Eat Bulaga, and EB, including all the logos associated with the subject parts 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 31st May 2023, its segments or any portion thereof in all channels and platforms.
“Moreover, defendants… marami pang binabanggit at lahat in favor sa atin.
“The Intelectual 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 names of Television Production Exponents Incorporated from its records, database and or registry to it.
“Yun po yung pinakalaman ng dispositive portion.”
Pagsusuma ni Vic: “Sa madaling-salita, e, nanalo po tayo.”
Saad pa ni Tito, “Yung aming sinasabi na tayo po ang may-ari ng Eat Bulaga!.
“Maraming salamat sa iyong pagtangkilik. Maraming salamat sa dasal, at unang-una sa lahat sa Panginoong Diyos. Thank you very much Lord God.”
Pagtatapos ni Vic, “Sa madaling salita, atin talaga ang Eat Bulaga!.”
Kasunod nito ay kinanta ng buong Legit Dabarkads at mga staff ng show ang theme song ng Eat Bulaga!.
Makikita ring yinakap ni Jeny si Tito sa stage.
TAPE’S LEAGAL COUNSEL REACTS
Samantala, natanggap na ng legal counsel na TAPE Inc. na si Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque ang desisyon ng Marikina Regional Trial Court.
Sa ibinigay niyang pahayag sa Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph), sa pamamagitan ng PEP Troika columnist na si Gorgy Rula, sinabi nitong tiyak na magpa-file sila ng appeal kaugnay ng desisyong ito.
Pahayag ni Atty. Garduque, “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.”
