The trial between Muzmatch and Match is expected to be decided in six week’s time. The two day trial, taking place in London over 17 and 18 January 2022, is investigating Match Group’s accusation that Muslim-focused rival Muzmatch has been “free-riding” off its reputation.
Match is suing London-based Muzmatch, alleging the app replicated the look and feel of its logo and apps, whilst also using the word “Match” and “Tinder” in its SEO and meta tags to boost traffic. It claims that users could confuse Muzmatch for its own services.
The legal action comes after two failed attempts from Match to buy out Muzmatch in 2018 and 2019, both which were rejected. When the talks broke down, Match purchased a different Muslim dating platform and began legal proceedings against Muzmatch, claiming trademark infringements.
In the courtroom this week, Match claimed that it was “only happy” to “possibly” tolerate Muzmatch’s look and feel while it was a small, free, community-based Muslim marriage service. However, Match claimed that Muzmatch has now become a serious competitor in online dating.
Muzmatch said it has more than 3.8 million registered users. Match, according to its own filing, has 12 million active users for Match.com alone, plus millions more across its other apps.
Muzmatch argued that “match” is a descriptive word for matchmaking, and that users can distinguish between Match and Muzmatch due to their different target markets. They called the case a “wholly-transparent attempt by a global corporation” to lay claim to a word that describes the industry, while “eliminating” all competition on the Muslim dating landscape.
The two-day trial, which concluded on Tuesday, was heard before the UK Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court. A decision on the case is expected in six weeks.