Many believe that the LDS is simply using its massive resources and the threat of litigation to prevent others from using any Mormon trademark.

However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints came about less than 200 years ago - just decades before America’s first trademark registration.Ĭould this convey additional rights to the church? That is something that may need to be established under the law. There are some other grounds the church could use, but would they really apply?Īfter all, could the Vatican interfere with someone using “Catholic” as a descriptive term in a trademark registration? Could leaders of the Muslim faith or Buddhism do the same? Most would assume this answer is “no,” but to be fair, these belief systems are thousands of years old. Particularly when their use wouldn’t occur in such a way that may create a likelihood of confusion among consumers. While the LDS does own rights over several variations of “Mormon,” this wouldn’t necessarily stop others from also using the term. The big question surrounding the Mormon trademark is whether the trademarking of a religious label can prevent others from using the term. It did the same against the Mormon Mental Health Association. This is far from the first time the LDS has gone after smaller organizations that attempted to trademark terms containing the word “Mormon.” The intellectual property arm of the church - Intellectual Reserve, Inc (IRI) - tried to block a dating app from using the name “Mormon Match” in 2014. The church also provided its extensive list of registered marks - which includes “Mormon” and several variations - in their request to prevent registration. In the notice of opposition, the LDS claims that registration of the “Bad Mormon” trademark would create a likelihood of confusion, trademark dilution, falsely suggest a connection to the church, and be otherwise deceptive. filed an intent to use trademark application for the term “Bad Mormon.” Although the application focused on trademarking the name for use on beverage containers, clothing, and podcasts, most people now link the name to Real Housewives star Heather Gay’s upcoming book, Bad Mormon - set for release in February 2023. The LDS Opposes ‘Bad Mormon’ Trademarkīack in August 2021, the brand Heathertainment, Inc.

However, the intellectual property arm of the church has rushed headlong into another dispute over the Mormon trademark. The term “Mormon” has long been used to describe members of the LDS religious community - which is logical since its religious text is called The Book of Mormon. Another day, another trademark opposition filed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).

The bad mormon