CA junks TAPE's motion for reconsideration in 'Eat Bulaga!' copyright case
The Court of Appeals has rejected Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE)'s motion for reconsideration in the copyright case filed by TVJ, or Sen. Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon.
In its 17-page resolution, the CA ruled that TAPE did not own the audiovisual recordings and jingles of Eat Bulaga! and that it used the materials without consent from the copyright owners, TVJ.
"It cannot carry out the acts enumerated under Section 177 of the Intellectual Property Code," the decision read. The section states that copyright or economic rights consist of the exclusive right to carry out, authorize, or prevent the reproduction, dramatization, translation, adaptation, abridgement, arrangement, or other transformation of the work. It also prohibits the public display and performance of the original or a copy of the work.
The appeals court also ordered TAPE to pay P2 million temperate damages, P500,000 for exemplary damages, and P500,000 attorney fees.
In December 2023, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines canceled TAPE's trademark registration for "Eat Bulaga!" and "EB." The production company appealed this decision.
In January 2024, TVJ announced that the Marikina City Regional Trial Court Branch 273 ruled in favor of the trio regarding the copyright and unfair competition case they filed against the company in the previous year.
This led to TAPE renaming its noontime show to "Tahanang Pinakamasaya," which went off the air on March 8.
TAPE also faces an estafa complaint with abuse of confidence from GMA Network Inc. The latter alleged that the former Eat Bulaga! producer misappropriated funds totaling P37,941,352.56. After settlement offers, the two parties failed to reach an agreement.
