Match Group Files Lawsuit Accusing muzmatch of Copying Tinder
Match Group has submitted a patent-infringement lawsuit against muzmatch, over allegations that the latter copied its product layout.
The filing claims that Tinder’s “world changing, draggable-card-based, mutual opt-in app interface” was copied to create a similar dating and social app for Muslims.
muzmatch is also accused of naming itself in a way that would lead consumers to subconsciously associate it with the Dallas-based dating giant. The two brands share a similar colour scheme which is being called into question as well.
In the court documents, a Match Group spokesperson states: “muzmatch sought to mimic the Tinder app’s functionality, trade off of Match’s name, brand, and general look and feel, meet user expectations that Match created, and build a business entirely on a Tinder clone distinguished only muzmatch’s Muslim-cultural-specific marketing.”
GDI has reached out to muzmatch for comment and the company is currently working on an official statement.
The past couple of years have been an impressive growth period for muzmatch, which surpassed the four million user milestone just before Valentine’s Day. The company raised $7 million from a Series A funding round in 2019, which included Y Combinator as one of the contributors.
Its next stages of growth have focused on more general community features. CEO Shahzad Younas wants it to be a platform that all Muslims can use to connect, not just for dating.
Match Group filed a similar case against Bumble in March 2018, which triggered a lengthy legal battle and included lawsuits from either side. The two companies issued a joint-statement in June 2020 announcing a settlement agreement on all litigation.
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