Google Countersues Dating App Match Group
The lawsuit between Google and Match Group, the parent company of popular dating apps like Tinder and PlentyOfFish, has taken a new turn. Google’s lawyers have countersued Match Group for copyright infringement. The countersuit comes after Match Group filed a suit against Google over allegations that the search giant is using its trademarked logo in an advertising campaign for one of its products. The countersuit reads:
This section is “countersued” by Google.
Google is countersuing Match Group. The news comes after Match Group filed a lawsuit against Google and its subsidiary, YouTube, alleging that YouTube has profited off of pirated content uploaded onto the site. “We’re disappointed that we have to take this step, but given the harm that is being done to our clients — and those who work with them — we can no longer sit idly by,” said a spokesperson for WME law firm in a statement reported by Bloomberg.
According to The Verge and other outlets reporting on this story:
- Google is responding directly to Match Group’s claims regarding copyright infringement
- Google’s response was also filed today (March 19th)
- The lawsuit alleges that YouTube profits from pirated content uploaded onto the site
Google says, “Match Group set up a website that copied the layout of http://www.google.com.”
Googlesays, “Match Group set up a website that copied the layout of http://www.google.com.”
it has the legal right to say that Match Group copied the layout of http://www.google.com.
Match Group uses the same icons as Google.
Google’s icons are used to help users navigate the app. They also allow users to understand what they are looking at and what they are looking for. Match Group uses similar icons in its mobile dating apps, so it is easy for a user to get confused as to whether or not they are using Google Maps or one of Match Group’s dating apps.
In response, Google has filed a lawsuit against Match Group, claiming that their use of these icons infringes on Google’s intellectual property rights.
Match Group’s icon looks similar to Google’s.
Match Group’s icon looks similar to Google’s. However, the two are not identical.
Google, which MatchGroup sued, has filed a countersuit against the dating app over its trademarked logo. The suit claims that Match Group’s icon is similar to Google’s and “deprives users of an important means of discovering information about [Google],” according to court documents obtained by Business Insider.
The icons look similar but not identical:
Match Group’s logo has a yellow background with black lettering; Google’s logo uses red and white colors.
The background for Match Group’s home page also looks similar to Google’s.
When you first look at the Match Group and Google home pages, it’s easy to see some resemblance between them. The background for Match Group’s home page also looks similar to Google’s. A dark blue gradient is used on both sites, but they have a few differences.
Match Group’s background appears to be a solid color, whereas Google’s seems to be a gradient with lighter shades of blue fading into the darker ones.
MatchGroup may be able to use the icons from Match Group’s other products, but they need to get permission from Google.
MatchGroup may be able to use the icons from Match Group’s other products, but they need to get permission from Google.
Google doesn’t like it when someone makes a website that looks too much like theirs, and in this case, MatchGroup is using elements of Google’s homepage without permission.
For example:
- Google has an icon for a search bar with a magnifying glass; if you have ever used any Android phone or tablet before, you’ve probably seen this icon before. It looks like this: *The red circle represents the magnifying glass, and the blue rectangle means the search bar.*
- Match Group also has an icon for a search bar with a magnifying glass on it; however, unlike the one above, it has been modified slightly so that instead of being completely red (like Google), theirs is partially colored yellow instead.*
Conclusion
Google’s lawsuit against MatchGroup claims that the dating app company infringes on several patents. The suit also alleges that Match has “no attempt to comply with Google’s intellectual property rights.” According to Bloomberg, this isn’t the first time Google has sued over alleged patent infringement by a competitor: the company has filed at least ten lawsuits against companies like Oracle, Apple, and Samsung in recent years.
So far, there’s no indication of how Match will respond. However, due to its acquisition of Tinder in 2017, Match Group now owns a majority stake in another dating app called Hinge—which could give it an edge over Google’s complaint if these two companies ever go head-to-head in court.
Both companies are expected to file their respective answers by April 23rd (that’s tomorrow). We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available!
