TAPE Inc. responds to TVJ's copyright infringement complaint

Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. has responded to the copyright infringement and unfair competition complaint filed by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon against the company.

According to a report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, the former "Eat Bulaga" hosts filed their complaint at the Marikina Regional Trial Court.

TAPE's legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Garduque, released a statement addressing the complaint.

"It is not a copyright infringement. Eat Bulaga name, the design of the name and the logo is a trademark and not subject of copyright," she said.

"TAPE Inc. has the registration of the tradename Eat Bulaga so they cannot file infringement against the registered owner of the trademark. Their petition for cancellation of trademark of Eat Bulaga is still pending before the IPO and until such time that said petition is granted, the trademark Eat Bulaga and EB will be owned by TAPE Inc."

 GMA Network Inc., which airs "Eat Bulaga" as a blocktimer, is also included in the complaint.

"We will refer the complaint to our legal counsel, Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion and Lucila Law Offices," the network said in a statement.

Tito, Vic, Joey, and the other "Eat Bulaga" hosts left TAPE Inc. on May 31. —MGP, GMA Integrated News