Spark Networks, (NYSE MKT: LOV), owner of JDate, has acquired Smooch Labs, the company behind the competing mobile dating app JSwipe, which is the veteran Jewish dating site’s bitter rival.
The purchase price will be announced when Spark Networks releases its fourth quarter finances. Besides JDate, Spark Networks, owns several other non-Jewish dating sites.
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Spark sued its then new competitor, JSwipe, in November 2014. JDate claimed in its suit that it had a trademark on the letter “J” among dating sites, and also claimed it holds a patent on technology that helps users of its site find new partners.
JSwipe, which launched in April of 2014, allow users to use a quick swipe motion to choose between photos of different users. The startup has grown rapidly amongst the global Jewish community. It now boasts over 450, 000 downloads worldwide and over 40 million messages between users.
When the trail was over, David Yarus, JSwipe’s founder, had tried unsuccessfully to raise his $300, 000 legal fees in an Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign.
David Yarus, founder of JSwipe, stated, “When we first started, we recognized that there was a gap in the dating market for millennial Jews and we’ve successfully built a product that really resonates with this audience. In talking with the new management team at Spark it was clear that we share the same mission and our combined know-how will help us better serve the Jewish community into the future. Everyone at Smooch Labs is excited to join the Spark team, expand their capabilities, and work together to spark Jewish love across the world.”
The new owners plan to offer premium, paid, features that will enhance its current free platform in the near future.
JSwipe allow users to use a quick swipe motion to choose between photos of different users.
