Match Group, LLC & Ors v Muzmatch Limited & Anor

Match Group, LLC & Ors v Muzmatch Limited & Anor

The court found that while Mr Younas' disclosure of the embargoed judgment outcome to journalists was a serious breach, it was a genuine mistake, and given his apology and Match's position not to pursue contempt, no further action was necessary. Internal disclosures to certain employees were permissible for...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Claimant: Match Group, LLC; Claimant: Meetic SAS; Claimant: Match.com International Limited; Defendant: Muzmatch Limited; Defendant: Shahzad Younas
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 May 2022
Procedural Posture
Civil Intellectual Property / Post Judgment, Consideration of Embargo Breach and Possible Contempt
Outcome
No contempt proceedings initiated; costs and publicity order to be addressed at subsequent hearing.
Legal Topics
Breach of Embargo, Contempt of Court, Trade Mark Infringement, Passing Off, Confidentiality of Draft Judgments
Civil Procedure Intellectual Property Breach of Embargo Contempt of Court Trade Mark Infringement Passing Off Confidentiality of Draft Judgments

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Match Group, LLC

Claimant

Meetic SAS

Claimant

Match.com International Limited

Claimant

Muzmatch Limited

Defendant

Shahzad Younas

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Intellectual Property / Post Judgment, Consideration of Embargo Breach and Possible Contempt

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Defendants breached the embargo on the draft judgment
  2. 2 Whether the breach warrants contempt proceedings or other sanctions
  3. 3 Whether internal disclosures by Defendants were permissible under CPR PD40E

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that while Mr Younas' disclosure of the embargoed judgment outcome to journalists was a serious breach, it was a genuine mistake, and given his apology and Match's position not to pursue contempt, no further action was necessary. Internal disclosures to certain employees were permissible for preparation purposes. No criticism attached to Bristows LLP.

Court Disposition

No contempt proceedings initiated; costs and publicity order to be addressed at subsequent hearing.