LDS Church sues critical podcaster over "Mormon" trademark

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suing the popular "Mormon Stories" podcast, alleging trademark infringements.

Why it matters: One of the church's objections is the podcast title's use of the word "Mormon," which the Utah-based faith has itself discouraged in recent years.

Driving the news: In a lawsuit filed last week, the church argues that the podcast has used copyrighted images and adopted church branding elements in its logo, which will lead others to mistakenly believe "it comes from or is affiliated with or endorsed by the church."

• The complaint includes screenshots of online comments by listeners who said they thought "Mormon Stories" was connected to the church.

Between the lines: "Mormon Stories," which has aired about 2,100 episodes since its 2005 launch, frequently criticizes the church.

• Its host, John Dehlin, was accused of apostasy and excommunicated in 2015.

Yes, but: In a statement, church leaders said the lawsuit is unrelated to the podcast's critical content.

The other side: The excommunication — and the church's public statement about it — should disabuse audiences of the podcast's church affiliation, Dehlin told Axios.

• He noted the podcast has changed its logo, removed church-issued images from video thumbnails and posted disclaimers on its online accounts and platforms.

Catch up quick: In recent months, the church asked at least three other podcasts to remove "Mormon" from their names or withdraw trademark applications in recent months, the Salt Lake Tribune reported late last year. None of them have changed their names.

The intrigue: Their hosts have disputed the church's ownership of "Mormon," citing its leaders' own disavowal of it.

• In 2018, the church purged the word from its promotional materials and websites, renamed the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and told members that its use was a "victory for Satan."

Zoom in: The word still appears in the title of the church's signature text. But other sects, from the polygamous FLDS to the progressive Community of Christ, use the same scripture.

• FLDS leaders, for example, have called their faith "Mormon."

Friction point: Church officials said they "proposed several options to reduce confusion while minimizing disruption," and Dehlin refused.

• Dehlin said the church requested multiple disclaimers throughout episodes, and to rename the podcast "Ex-Mormon" or "Post Mormon Stories," even though active members of the church appear as guests.
• "They did all this with the threat of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit. So it was like they had a gun at our heads to force us to make changes that were unreasonable," Dehlin said.

Flashback: The church in 2023 also disputed a trademark application by "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Heather Gay for the title of her book, "Bad Mormon." Gay abandoned the trademark attempt.

• It also has challenged businesses using the word "Deseret" on the name of a beer and a coffee shop that depicted the Angel Moroni's trumpet as a bong.