Design Showdown Nears End: Figma, Motiff Close to Settling Heated Copyright Dispute Over Source Code

Figma's legal team argued that Motiff's actions were a clear violation of both copyright law and the company’s terms of service, claiming that the source code — a cornerstone of its platform — was unlawfully copied to replicate essential features. The suit highlighted how reverse engineering, especially through legitimate access, can still be considered infringement when it crosses into duplicating protected creative expression.

Originally scheduled for trial in August 2025, the case took a turn when both sides submitted a joint motion to vacate the trial date, citing an imminent settlement. A filing with the U.S. District Court stated that the parties “have agreed in principle to a resolution of this matter and anticipate filing a stipulated dismissal within 14 days.”

The case had drawn attention across the tech and legal industries, as it touches on increasingly relevant questions about software copyright protections, contract enforcement in SaaS models, and the thin line between inspiration and infringement in code development.

Legal analysts have noted that the dispute could set a precedent on how companies protect their digital infrastructure and whether contractual agreements, such as Figma’s user terms, can be enforced alongside copyright laws to deter bad actors.

While the exact terms of the pending settlement have not been disclosed, sources close to the matter expect a resolution that may include financial compensation, restrictions on future product use, or changes to Motiff’s offerings.

Figma, which was acquired by Adobe in a deal announced in 2022, has remained a leader in the digital product design space, emphasizing seamless collaboration and cloud-native tools. Any attempt to clone its technology not only threatens its market edge but also sends ripples through the competitive SaaS ecosystem.