Popular noontime show “Eat Bulaga” has successfully renewed its trademark registration for another 10 years, according to Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) granted TAPE’s application for a Certificate of Renewal of Registration on June 14, 2023. The renewal will be effective until June 14, 2033.
Joey de Leon, a former host of “Eat Bulaga” and now with a competing noontime show called “EAT,” expressed gratitude to TAPE for the renewal. In an Instagram post, de Leon thanked TAPE for “promoting” them for the next 10 years, while also taking a swipe at the production company for renewing the contested trademark. De Leon’s post sparked a discussion among his co-host Paolo Ballesteros and their supporters, with some questioning how TAPE was able to “steal” the brand from their show.
De Leon previously claimed that he was the one who came up with the title “Eat Bulaga” for the show, asserting that his group, TVJ (Tito and Vic Sotto), is the rightful owner of the trademark and copyright. In June, TVJ filed charges of copyright infringement and unfair competition against TAPE and GMA Network, as well as a petition for a writ of preliminary injunction to stop TAPE from using any devices related to the noontime show.
The legal battle between the two parties is ongoing and far from over.
