Tinder sues Portuguese startup Swipeless over intellectual property

Tinder has filed a lawsuit against the Portuguese startup Swipeless, alleging violations of intellectual property rights. The legal action was brought before the Lisbon Intellectual Property Court and targets entrepreneur Diana Taborda, the founder of Swipeless.

The dispute centers on the use of elements associated with Tinder’s identity and operational model, specifically the term “swipe.” Tinder utilizes the “swipe right” and “swipe left” mechanisms for user interaction, and the American company has filed a €30,000 appeal to reinforce its claims regarding the protection of its intellectual property.

Swipeless operates a different business model focused on facilitating in-person social interactions. Rather than a digital-first dating app, the startup organizes physical dinners for strangers in various Portuguese cities, including Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, and Setúbal. Participants purchase tickets to join groups based on age and interests to encourage face-to-face conversation, though the cost of the meal is not included in the ticket price.