The world of software firms is buzzing with the latest legal debacle between two prominent players – Figma and Motiff. The drama unfolded when a US court recently put a hold on a crucial decision that could have significant implications for both companies, as reported by [Tech in Asia].
Figma, based in San Francisco, took legal action against Singapore-headquartered Motiff, accusing them of copyright infringement related to Figma’s source code. This move aimed to prevent Motiff from selling its AI design product until the final verdict was reached. The stakes are high in this intense battle where millions of dollars hang in the balance.
The legal tussle began when Figma filed a lawsuit against Motiff and two associated China-based entities back in September 2024. The crux of the matter revolves around alleged copyright violations and breaches of contract by Motiff. To gain an upper hand, Figma sought a preliminary injunction motion against Motiff earlier this year.
According to sources cited by Tech in Asia, Figma had been raking in over US$700 million annually by July 2024, with projections indicating a potential surge beyond US$1 billion by 2025. Valued at a staggering US$12.5 billion, Figma has also set its sights on going public in the United States with Morgan Stanley leading the charge.
A victory for Figma in either lawsuit could spell trouble for Motiff’s global ambitions, putting their market expansion plans at risk. The legal rollercoaster took another turn when the District Court of the Northern District of California decided to defer Figma’s preliminary injunction motion request on May 15th.
Furthermore, an expedited jury trial has been scheduled for August 18th regarding the copyright infringement case. Before proceedings kick off formally, a pretrial conference is slated for August 7th to discuss matters between the involved parties before heading to court.
In response to these developments, Motiff expressed confidence that their product was independently developed and maintained originality throughout its creation process. As they stated to Tech in Asia:
“Our product is the result of original development,”
reiterating their commitment to respecting intellectual property rights both internally and externally.
This legal showdown between industry giants serves as a cautionary tale about intellectual property protection and contractual obligations within technology landscapes. Stay tuned as this gripping saga unfolds further amidst court battles and corporate maneuvers.
As reported by [Tech in Asia].
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