Muzz – Muslim Dating App Fails to Convince the Law Court, Losing Appeal against Match.com 

The Muslim dating app supposedly having similarities to Match.com has failed to convince the law court to accept its appeal. Last year in June, the court decreed that the then Muzmatch – now Muzz could appear as a part of the Tinder-owned Match Group. Today, the Muslim dating app lost the appeal against Match.com as the Court of Appeal maintained the previous ruling.

Muzz criticized the ruling and called the legal action a deeply concerning factor for new startups emerging in the dating industry. On the other hand, Match Group expressed its joy over the court decision, saying it was content to have the honorable court verdict in its favor.

A spokesman for Match Group told the digital media that the company has always identified that Muzz has unfairly taken advantage of Match Group’s reputation and investment in its brands. It also unrightfully rode the company’s coattails for its individual gains.

The Tinder-owned company also says Match.com has always protected the creativity and work of its employees as the company continues to spark meaningful connections for every bachelor of every background worldwide.

The Court of Appeal had no objection to the original judgment that the likelihood of confusion existed if a user would type the SEO keywords, including the word ‘match’ to find suitable dating apps. Search Engine Optimization ensures using specific words or phrases on sites to the search results will show them prominently on Google or other search engines.

Muzz Criticizes the Court Decision

Shahzad Younas, the founder and chief executive of Muzz, criticized the court ruling. He believes the legal action is nothing more than a strategy of Match Group to maintain its dominant position worldwide. He says it is insane for known companies to use such lazy and destructive tactics against their competitors instead of innovating and making better products.

Muzz arrived in the United Kingdom as Muzmatch in 2015. It aimed to encourage dating and make it easy for Muslim singles. According to Mr. Younus, Match Group wanted to purchase his business, and it attempted to do so four separate times, including once it offered $35 million to acquire Muzz, which he claimed he declined. Since then, the legal case has led Muzz to financial damage of up to $2 million in legal fees and others. “While it may be an insignificant change for multibillion-dollar corporations like Match Group, it is significantly precious capital for emerging startups like Muzz,” Younas added.

Domination on the Global Market

According to the chief executive of Muzz, it is no longer unclear for his company that Match Group will do everything it can to vanish Muzz to maintain its monopoly on the international dating market. Match Group offers many dating apps, such as Plenty of Fish, Hinge, and OkCupid. The company merged with Tinder for $3 billion in 2017, resulting in a legal case over the company’s valuation with Tinder. Match Group agreed to pay $441 million in 2021 after the dating app’s founders realized the merger undervalued Tinder. Later, Match Group also attempted to purchase a dating app Bumble, which allowed women to initiate the first move but failed in its attempt.