The popular Jewish dating site JDate has taken aim at other online dating services over what it calls an infringement on patented technology. The suit asserts that OKCupid, Zoosk, and newcomer 2RedBeans all use technology to secretly determine mutual attraction between users which JDate claims is their exclusive territory.
The patent in question, number 5,950,200, is called the “Method and Apparatus for Detection Of Reciprocal Interests or Feelings And Subsequent Notification.” On OKCupid, the issue is with the “Quick Match” system, where users can see and rate other users. If two users happen to give each other high ratings, which happens without the other’s knowledge, they are informed via email. The idea is to inform two people of, if not mutual attraction, than at least mutually awarding arbitrary stars to each other.
The timing of JDate’s suit is a little odd, especially considering that OKCupid and Zoost are fairly well established. Perhaps if these sites had a method, or apparatus, for the detection of reciprocal interests they would have realized how much in common they really have and wouldn’t have to fight like this. If only!
(via Techcrunch)
