Church sues podcaster over trademark use, not the word “Mormon”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints submitted a new court document stating its lawsuit against podcaster John Dehlin focuses on trademark infringement and unauthorized use of copyrighted images, not on restricting the word “Mormon.” The filing alleges that Dehlin’s “Mormon Stories” platform mimics church branding, creating consumer confusion about source. Dehlin conceded that he used some church photographs without consent and that his logo resembled church marks, though he later changed the logo’s color and removed the images after a warning.

The church contends that required disclaimers are buried deep on Dehlin’s sites, making them hard to locate, and that the dispute is about preventing misleading association. Dehlin maintains his use of the images qualifies as fair use and has added the church’s preferred disclaimer text to podcast descriptions, but refused to place it prominently. A judge will now consider Dehlin’s motion to dismiss the suit.