After almost a year.
On Wednesday, December 6, ‘E.A.T.’ hosts led by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, together with their legal counsels faced the media for a press conference regarding their trademark win against Television and Production Exponents, Inc. or TAPE.
Tito read their opening statement, which began by thanking God for guiding them throughout the ordeal. “Indeed, the truth will always prevail,” the former Senator exclaimed.
He then reiterated points from the decision of the Intellectual Property Office or IPOPHL. “Yesterday, the Intellectual Property Office – Bureau of Legal Affairs decided that we (Tito, Vic, and Joey) are the rightful owners and originators of the trademarks ‘Eat Bulaga’ and ‘EB’.“
The host also shared how their accounts of the story on how the title was conceptualized by Joey de Leon in Sotto’s house in Quezon City were not refuted by TAPE.
“We have sufficiently proven to the IPO that we, TVJ, are the rightful owners of the wordmarks. Therefore, as earlier mentioned, it is only us who have all the right to register the subject marks,” their joint statement also read.
‘Tito Sen’ also made a direct mention to the other party: “TAPE Incorporated should not be allowed to profit from the business reputation built by TVJ.“
“The IPO’s decision, while it is just the beginning, is indeed a milestone and a welcoming development to our legal claims.“
They then thanked the people behind them and the viewers.
According to their legal counsel Atty. Buko dela Cruz, prior to the start of ‘E.A.T.’ in July, they advised TVJ that it would be fine for them to use the title ‘Eat Bulaga,’ as TAPE’s registration does not cover the entertainment services category, which covers TV show titles. However, it was the trio who had decided to not go that route.
“Ngayong lumabas na ang desisyon… sana, inaasahan naman namin, respetuhin naman nila [TAPE] yung desisyon. Habang nag-aapela sila, ‘wag nang gamitin [Eat Bulaga title] bilang respeto,” Atty. Dela Cruz said.
(Now that the decision has been released… we wish and expect that they [TAPE] will respect the decision. While their appeal is pending, they should also stop using [the Eat Bulaga title] as a sign of respect.)
Tito also admitted that he feels vindicated by the decision, although he also views it as them being “officially recognized” as the creator of the title.
When asked about when they will start using the title, Atty. Dela Cruz said “anytime…” Tito, meanwhile, said that they will discuss internally when they will start using it.
As for Vic: “Siguro, ‘pag tumigil na yung gumagamit na iba at nagpakita ng respeto, ‘yun na siguro ang tamang panahon.“
(Maybe, when the other show that uses it stops going by that title and showed respect, then that would be the right time to start using it.)
“Mayroong pinakaimportanteng salita ngayon bukod sa vindication: respeto,” Joey chipped in.
(There is one word that is more important than vindication: respect)
Regarding the legal cases filed before the Marikina Regional Trial Court, Atty. Dela Cruz said that “inaasahan naming malapit nang maglabas ng desisyon.”
(We are expecting the decision regarding that to be released soon.)
An hour after the press conference, during the main show on Wednesday, the entire ‘Dabarkads’ sang their theme song live. And to celebrate the win, they slightly tweaked the lyrics to: “Isang libo’t, isang tuwa… buong bansa, E.A.T. Bulaga!”
Kapatid network’s official statement
The head honchos at TV5 and MediaQuest have also shared their piece regarding this development.
Jane J. Basas, President and CEO of MediaQuest, welcomes the trademark win. She also said that the company “will continue to support TVJ until this issue is finally resolved.”
TV5 President and CEO Guido R. Zaballero, for his part, pronounced that “TVJ plus Dabarkads, equals Eat Bulaga.”
For now, the TVJ noontime show will continue to go by the name ‘E.A.T.’ as it airs from Monday to Saturday on TV5.
Trendrod 