Kiss FM and ARN kiss and make up

 ARN’s rebranded Kiis station in Sydney and Melbourne’s 20 year old dance music station Kiss have reached a settlement over the use of the name.

The two parties released a joint statement: “ARN’s new station KIIS 1065 will mutually coexist with Kiss FM in Australia and the matter is now resolved.” No details were released.

Late last year, Kiss’ General Manager and Music Director Timmy Byrne sent ARN a cease-and-desist letter after it changed Mix 106.5’s name. The letter read in part that the Melbourne station was “determined to protect its name and rights and will do whatever it takes to do this as long as ARN tries to effectively steal the name and significantly infringe Kiss FM’s widespread and established intellectual property rights in the name Kiss FM.”

At the time, Byrne reported some negotiations had taken place between the two broadcasters but talks broke down. He said, “ARN’s response has been one of contempt and proactive bullying attempting to force Kiss to effectively surrender its name.”

ARN argued that although it had registered the Kiis name nationally, the use of the name was only for the Sydney station.

According to Byrne in a previous email to The Music Network, Kiss reaches 140,000 listeners per week through 87.688fm or its stream, with an additional 8,000 to 10,000 listening daily via their Internet stream.