Tinder-parent Match.com asked a Muslim dating app named Muzmatch to change its name over similarities. Muzmatch has lost its appeal against Match Group and has changed its name to Muzz. According to a report by BBC, the Court of Appeal has upheld a June 2022 ruling. It explained that an average consumer would have thought Muzmatch was part of Match Group. Muzz has also criticised the ruling. The dating app claimed that the legal action was “deeply worrying for other start-ups in the dating sector”. Meanwhile, Match Group seemed pleased with the court’s decision.
The latest judgement agreed with the original ruling that mentioned: “a likelihood of confusion as a result of Muzmatch’s use of SEO keywords comprising the word ‘match'”. Search engine optimisation or SEO uses particular words or phrases on websites to increase the site’s chances of appearing prominently on browsing platforms like Google.
What Match Group said about this ruling
In a statement, a Match Group spokesperson said, “We’ve always known that Muzmatch has unfairly benefitted from our reputation and investment in our brands, and was unrightfully riding Match Group’s coattails for its own gain. We will keep protecting the work and creativity of our employees as we continue to spark meaningful connections for all singles, of all backgrounds, all around the world.”
What Muzz had to say
Muzz founder and CEO Shahzad Younas criticised the decision and said that the legal action was a “tactic” from Match Group to “maintain their globally dominant position”.
Younas added, “How about actually innovating and building better products, rather than using such lazy and predatory tactics against your rivals?”.
How this legal action affected Muzz
In 2015, Muzz launched in the UK (originally named Muzzmatch) as a dating app designed specifically for Muslims. Muzz CEO Younas claimed that Match Group had tried to buy the company on four different occasions. The Tinder owner also made an offer of £28 million which was also turned down by Younas.
The latest judgement agreed with the original ruling that mentioned: “a likelihood of confusion as a result of Muzmatch’s use of SEO keywords comprising the word ‘match'”. Search engine optimisation or SEO uses particular words or phrases on websites to increase the site’s chances of appearing prominently on browsing platforms like Google.
What Match Group said about this ruling
In a statement, a Match Group spokesperson said, “We’ve always known that Muzmatch has unfairly benefitted from our reputation and investment in our brands, and was unrightfully riding Match Group’s coattails for its own gain. We will keep protecting the work and creativity of our employees as we continue to spark meaningful connections for all singles, of all backgrounds, all around the world.”
What Muzz had to say
Muzz founder and CEO Shahzad Younas criticised the decision and said that the legal action was a “tactic” from Match Group to “maintain their globally dominant position”.
Younas added, “How about actually innovating and building better products, rather than using such lazy and predatory tactics against your rivals?”.
How this legal action affected Muzz
In 2015, Muzz launched in the UK (originally named Muzzmatch) as a dating app designed specifically for Muslims. Muzz CEO Younas claimed that Match Group had tried to buy the company on four different occasions. The Tinder owner also made an offer of £28 million which was also turned down by Younas.
In reply to this allegation, a Match Group spokesperson didn’t comment on mergers and acquisitions. However, the spokesperson mentioned that this part of its business “does not impact our decisions to protect our intellectual property and trademarks in any way”.
Younas added that the lawsuit had cost Muzz “almost $2m in legal fees and damages”. He noted, “This is small change for a multi-billion dollar conglomerate such as Match Group, however, [it] is precious working capital for a start-up such as ours. It is clear to us that Match Group will do all they can to kill us with a view to them maintaining their near monopoly on the global dating market.”
Match Group’s global dating domination
Apart from Tinder, Match Group owns multiple other major dating apps including OkCupid, Hinge and Plenty Of Fish. In 2017, the company merged with Tinder for a nearly $3 billion deal. The merger led to legal action against Tinder’s founders over the valuation of the company.
Tinder’s founders claimed that Match Group undervalued the dating app during the merger. In 2021, Match Group agreed to settle the case for $441 million. The dating app giant also tried to acquire the ‘women-first’ dating app Bumble but failed in its bid. The company has also acquired its own Muslim dating platform Harmonica which was later renamed Hawaya.
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