Cheekd is a dating and social networking website based in New York City. It was founded in 2010 by Lori Cheek.[1][2]
History
The service debuted with the name "Cheek'd". Founder Lori Cheek is a former architect. She appeared on the television program, Shark Tank in February 2014, but did not succeed in obtaining funding from any of the five entrepreneur/investors to whom she pitched Cheek'd to on the show. She said that she only had 1000 subscribers to her service at that time.[3]
Business card model
Cheek'd offered two user plans, paid and free. For $25, subscribers got a set of 50 business cards that could be given out once someone caught their eye.[4] Each card had a phrase, an online code, and a URL to the subscriber's account at the website.[4][5] Recipients of the cards could then look up the profile of the user with the information provided on the card.[6] In addition to the one-time cost of the cards, there was a $9.95 monthly membership fee.[3]
If users chose the free plan, they did not pay a monthly subscription fee nor did they buy business cards. Instead, they would download the Cheekd app for free, and hand out virtual cards to any appealing strangers that were nearby.[3]
Smartphone app
In 2015, the service's name changed from the original "Cheek'd" to "Cheekd". The new app uses Bluetooth technology to send alerts to users whenever a compatible user is within a 30-foot radius, instead of using business cards.[7]
Patent lawsuit
The original business card-based model for Cheekd had been claimed as a patented process by Lori Cheek, as US Patent 8543465. It was described as “Online Dating in Reverse”. In September 2017, a complaint was filed, alleging that the idea was not original to Lori Cheek.[8]
Cheek responded, stating that the complaint was baseless, and a complete fabrication.[9] The lawsuit Pirri v. Cheek was dismissed in a pre-trial conference in New York's Federal Court on April 5, 2018.[10]
References
- ^ "Getting cheeky" - Honolulu Weekly
- ^ "Online-Dating: Visitenkarten für die Liebe (Business Cards for Love)". ZEIT ONLINE (in German). Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ a b c Taylor, Jordyn (3 March 2014). "Tech CEO Loses on 'Shark Tank', Is Visited by On-Set Therapist". Observer. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ a b Reso, Paulina (July 23, 2010). "Latest dating trends include Web-based calling cards and GPS-powered apps". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "The New Dating Tools: A Card and a Wink". The New York Times. July 21, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
- ^ Jenny Block (August 5, 2010). "Fox on Sex: The Art of Flirting". Fox News. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
- ^ Taylor, Jordyn (25 February 2015). "After Brutal 'Shark Tank' Rejection, Tech CEO Reinvents Her Dating Business". Observer. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Crouch, Dennis (29 September 2017). "Reversing the Patent on Reverse Online Dating". Patently-O. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Crouch, Dennis (4 October 2017). "Cheek Responds: The Whole Story". Patently-O. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Conner, Cheryl (15 May 2018). "PR Warfare: When An Enemy Targets Your Firm In The Press". Forbes. Retrieved 23 May 2018.