The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has defended its decision to take legal action against a New Zealand man over the term ‘family search’, saying it was a trademark issue and that it has no argument with the concept behind his business.

An Auckland man has seen off a legal challenge from the giant mormon church over the trademark for his family location internet service, with the Court of Appeal today ruling against the religious organisation.

The Court of Appeal decision brings a close to seven years of legal wrangling between Robert Sintes and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints over the use of the words ‘family search’.