Zynga alleges Bang With Friends app infringes on its trademark

The controversial Facebook app “Bang With Friends” that allows users to hook up with people on their friends’ list, is reportedly in trouble over its name. Bloomberg reports that Zynga Inc. has sued the maker of the app on the grounds that it infringes upon the trademark that it has secured for its “with friends” list of games. Some of Zynga’s popular games bearing that trademark term include the popular “Words With Friends” and “Chess With Friends”.

As per reports now, Zynga has sought a court order to prevent Bang With Friends Inc., the makers of the app, from using the name in connection with any social networking applications in the US. In addition to that, the Farmville maker is also seeking unspecified damages.

In trouble over its name

Interestingly, as per Zynga’s complaint, Bang With Friends Inc. chose that name for their app fully knowing the trademarks Zynga had in place. “The application’s name infringes Zynga’s trademark covering games such as ‘Words With Friends’ and ‘Chess With Friends’”, reads an excerpt from the filing.

We first heard about this app in February this year , and it has been controversial from the word go. Created by three “college-aged” men from California, the app only alerts users of a potential hook-up if both parties express interest by selecting what is called the “Down to Bang” button.

At the time, the creators of the app said it had already gained more than 30,000 users, registering five new users every minute, according to a report on the online tech site Mashable. 

Critics of “Bang With Friends” told RIA Novosti that putting the physical first is the reason for the demise of the majority of marriages and relationships in the US.