(January 02, 2026) – Online media-downloading service Instag LLC is suing Instagram LLC in Connecticut federal court, seeking a declaration that its name does not infringe or dilute Instagram’s famous trademarks.
Instag LLC v. Instagram LLC, No. 25-cv-2176, complaint filed (D. Conn. Dec. 30, 2025).
The lawsuit, filed Dec. 30 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, is a preemptive move in reaction to a cease-and-desist letter Instagram sent demanding Instag stop using “Instag” and “Instag.com” marks.
Instag says its business, which allows users to download publicly available digital media, will not be confused with the popular photo-sharing app.
Instagram makes ‘Damoclean threat’
Instag describes its service as a “universal downloader” that permits the transfer of publicly available video files, audio recordings and other images not protected by digital rights management tools, a practice it calls “format-shifting.”
The service is available online at instag.com for anyone to use, the suit says. The website provides instructions and answers to frequently asked questions.
Instag filed applications to register its marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in January and October. Both applications say June 2011 is when the marks were first used in commerce.
Instag is attempting to register its marks in the category “software as a service,” while Instagram holds registered trademarks for its name in many categories.
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