Match Group, which claims it “pioneered the concept of online dating” more than 20 years ago, has accused another dating app, Muzmatch, of using the word “match” in its website’s metadata to help boost its profile in internet searches. This is not the first time Match Group has filed a lawsuit against a competitor dating site. Match sued popular dating service Bumble in 2018, prompting the competition to file a counterclaim. The two corporations reached an agreement to cease their legal battle in June 2020 but did not reveal the terms of the deal.
Match Group, the parent company of Match.com, Tinder, and Hinge, has brought a case against Muzmatch, a Muslim dating app claiming trademark infringement for using the term “match” in its name. Muzmatch’s tagline is “Where single Muslims meet,” and its primary aim is to locate marriage partners for Muslims all around the world, as the Muslim culture frowns on dating and most Muslims believe in marriage.
According to Muzmatch, it does not serve the same market as Match.com, and therefore there is no intellectual property infringement. According to Muzmatch, Muzmatch prioritizes Muslims in finding love, whereas Match Group reaches a broader audience. Match.com is pushing back, claiming that Muzmatch’s keyword tags, which include match-Muslim and UK-Muslim-match, are an effort to ride on the coattails of its registered trademarks.
In 2018, Muzmatch attempted to trademark its name. Within a few months, Match.com filed a lawsuit to stop the legal process. Match asserted in a U.K. Intellectual Property Office application that the ordinary customer will incorrectly infer that the applicant and opponent had an economic connection.
Match Group’s legal case comes after a string of failed takeover offers for Muzmatch. Match’s efforts began in 2017, with a final offer of $35 million being turned down by the Muzmatch founder in 2018.
Is it Possible to Trademark a Mobile App?
Consumer-facing insignia and brands that determine the source of your goods and services are protected by trademarks. This might include the name of the mobile app or the app creator, any slogans or taglines, and the distinctive logos and icons in the case of a software platform or mobile app. The protection may be extended to the name or other phrase, or letters used to identify the source of software goods or services. Remember that consumer recognition develops from brand recognition, therefore you will want to preserve the marks that are used the most.
To ensure effective registration and enforcement of your trademarks, consult with a skilled and experienced intellectual property attorney who has expertise in searching for and submitting mobile app trademarks. If you need assistance with filing a trademark application and/or enforcement of your trademark rights, contact the skilled team at The Myers Law Group.