The comedic trio known as “TVJ”—former Sen. Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon—dominated noontime Pinoy TV entertainment for more than four decades. Image: Facebook/Eat Bulaga
Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, gained another victory after the Intellectual Property Office (IPOPHL) dismissed TAPE Inc.’s appeal on the trademark application filed by the Henyo Master.
The IPOPHL denied the appeal of the production company against De Leon’s trademark application under Class 41, which includes services intended to entertain.
“Since the opposition has been dismissed and the appeal denied, [the Eat Bulaga trademark] is deemed registered in the name of Joey,” TVJ’s legal counsel Enrique “Buko” dela Cruz Jr. told INQUIRER.net. “We are just waiting for the formal confirmation from IPO.”
Dela Cruz clarified that the trademark application is a separate case from the petition for cancellation of trademark against TAPE, wherein the IPOPHL favored the position of TVJ in the Dec. 4 ruling.
“Two separate victories for TVJ. Two separate cases. Both pertain to the marks EAT BULAGA and EB,” he added.
Tito, for his part, celebrated the decision dismissing the appeal on the trademark application via his X (formerly Twitter) page on Thursday, Dec. 7.
“The People recognized TVJ as Eat Bulaga! Now, [the government] officially recognizes them as such. The others are exponents of sham!” the former Senate President wrote.
Appeal of tape re eat bulaga IPC class 41 dismissed! 🙏 The People recognized TVJ as Eat Bulaga! Now, GOVT officially recognizes them as such. 👍 The others are exponents of sham! 😱
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) December 7, 2023
In a message sent to INQUIRER.net, Tito reiterated that De Leon’s trademark application is technically granted and that “therefore no one else, nobody may use Eat Bulaga or EB” but them.
INQUIRER.net has reached out to the camp of TAPE for a comment but has yet to receive a response.
In an earlier statement, TAPE’s legal counsel said the production company will continue using the “Eat Bulaga” name despite the IPOPHL’s Dec. 4 ruling, stressing that the decision is not yet final and can still be reversed through their appeal.