Local Media Companies Feud over Logo

It’s getting spicy in the world of Denver media and radio. Earlier this month, radio company Bonneville International launched its newly named digital platform, Denver Sports. Let’s just say, not everyone was a fan.

Denver Sports is to be the umbrella platform for many entities including Denver’s Sports Station 104.3 The FAN, ESPN Denver 1600, DenverSports.com, and many other podcasts and video shows. It’s the logo that has forced another digital sports company, DNVR, to send a cease-and-desist letter to Denver Sports.

DNVR’s logo is black and white with a mountain backdrop. Denver Sports newly revealed logo uses the same color scheme, but different mountain and city backgrounds.  Many social media users were quick to call out the similarities:

pic.twitter.com/xBqiw2oOOT

— SG (@s_gran3) January 4, 2023

Did @1043TheFan merge with @DNVR_Sports???
Or did they just get inspiration from DNVR's logo?

Bottom pic is The Fan.

WTF pic.twitter.com/EuYPeElUKE

— Scott DeHuff (@DeHuff) January 4, 2023

Friendly competition or identity theft? #sports @DenverSportsCom @DNVR_Sports https://t.co/TMnUUAjVbm

— Denver Westword (@denverwestword) January 17, 2023

 

Other local radio stations even got in on the feud.

#NewProfilePicture pic.twitter.com/b3Tdn9HwiU

— 92.5 FM – Denver's Altitude Sports Radio (@AltitudeSR) January 3, 2023

The cease-and-desist letter from DNVR demanded that Utah-based Bonneville International terminated their logo by January 9. On January 13th, the law firm that represents DNVR, StuidoIP LLC, filed a complaint against the corporation in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.  Their claims include “trademark infringement, unfair competition, trade dress infringement, dilution by tarnishment, and tortious interference arising out of Bonneville’s trademark infringement of Plaintiff’s trademarks.”

We reached out to both companies. So far, no comment.