The Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) successfully renewed the trademark registration of the name “Eat Bulaga,” its noontime show, for another 10 years amid the ongoing legal dispute with Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, known as TVJ.
The Bureau of Trademarks under the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) issued the Certificate of Renewal of Registration for the “Eat Bulaga” and “EB” trademarks and logos.
The new hosts of "Eat Bulaga," a show produced by TAPE (Photos from TAPE's Facebook page)
Tito, Vic and Joey (Photo from "Eat Bulaga 1979" Instagram account)
The registration showed the date of registration was on June 14, 2013 and was renewed on June 14, 2023. The registration will last for 10 years and expire on June 14, 2033.
TAPE is the prior registrant of “Eat Bulaga,” filing the registration in 2011 and the trademark was registered on June 14, 2013.
TAPE Lawyer Maggie Abraham-Gardugue confirmed that the IPOPHL issued the certificate of renewal of registration for “Eat Bulaga” despite the filing of the petition for cancellation of said trademark by TVJ, the former hosts of “Eat Bulaga,” on June 2 this year with the government agency.
TVJ left “Eat Bulaga” and TAPE on May 31 and started hosting the show “E.A.T.” on TV5 on July 1.
Abraham-Garduque said TAPE received the certificate of renewal on Aug. 4.
"Yes, we received the certificate of renewal yesterday. Since it has a term of 10 years so TAPE Inc. owns the trademark of 'Eat Bulaga' until 2033," she said.
The certificate of renewal of registration dated June 14, 2023 for the "Eat Bulaga" and "EB" names and logos issued by IPOPHL to TAPE Inc.
The 2013 certificate of registration issued by IPOPHL to TAPE
The “Eat Bulaga” trademark expired last June 14 but TAPE was able to renew its registration.
"Marami kasi ang nagsasabi na since nag expire ang registration ng TAPE sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ trademark, free for all na ito. This is not true. TAPE Inc. renewed its registration and we are happy na na-issue na ang certificate of renewal which makes TAPE Inc. the continuous owner of trademark ‘Eat Bulaga’ until 2033,” added Abraham-Garduque.
She said, "Importante ito kasi kung baga sa lupa ang certificate of registration and in this case certificate of renewal of TAPE Inc ay ang titulo nya to prove its ownership over the trademark ‘Eat Bulaga.’”
"From the start IPO recognized TAPE Inc. as the prior registrant of ‘Eat Bulaga’ trademark. This renewal is a testament that TAPE was and remains the registered owner of the trademark ‘Eat Bulaga," the lawyer said.
Abraham-Garduque added, "TAPE will do everything to protect its right of ownership over the trademark ‘Eat Bulaga.”
Before filing the petition for cancellation, TVJ filed a trademark application for “Eat Bulaga” on Feb. 27, 2023. De Leon filed a separate trademark application for “Eat Bulaga” on March 22, 2023.
In a letter sent to IPOPHL in April after De Leon filed to register the “Eat Bulaga” trademark, TAPE CEO and president Romeo Jalosjos said that “since 1991, the name ‘EAT BULAGA’ has already been registered as a Trademark and an intellectual property of our company, Television and Production Exponents Inc.”