This prompted Clear Channel Communications, which also owned stations in the Santa Barbara market, to send Cumulus a cease and desist letter claiming infringement upon its "KISS-FM" trademark. Clear Channel also flipped its oldies-formatted KIST-FM to CHR using the Kiss name, battling with Cumulus head-to-head for ratings.
As a result, Clear Channel Communications, which also owned stations in the Santa Barbara market, sent Cumulus a cease and desist letter alleging trademark infringement on "KISS-FM". Clear Channel also rebranded its oldies-formatted KIST-FM as CHR using the Kiss name, engaging in a direct competition with Cumulus for ratings.