Baylor And Boston University Settle Trademark Dispute Over Logo Design

A lawsuit involving Baylor University reaches a settlement.

Baylor University and Boston University Reach Settlement Framework in “BU” Trademark Dispute

Baylor University and the Trustees of Boston University have reached a preliminary agreement to resolve a federal trademark infringement lawsuit concerning the usage of an interlocking "BU" logo. According to a legal update filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the two schools are finalizing terms for a formal written settlement.

Origins of the Logo Dispute

Baylor initially filed suit against Boston University in August 2025, arguing that the Massachusetts school infringed on Baylor's historical intellectual property and breached a prior agreement between the schools. Baylor did not challenge Boston University's right to utilize side-by-side "BU" letters, focusing the lawsuit instead on an overlapping, interlocked arrangement. According to court filings, Baylor discovered in 2018 that Boston University had introduced an interlocked logo across campus retail merchandise, later expanding its application to club athletic gear.

When Campuses Clash Over IP: High-Profile University Logo Disputes

Universities spend millions establishing brand identities, making their official seals, athletic logos, and acronyms valuable intellectual property. When another institution or a retail brand adopts a similar design, schools rarely hesitate to file trademark infringement lawsuits to protect their exclusivity.

University of Indianapolis vs. Indiana University ("UIndy" vs. "IU Indy")

Following the restructuring of IUPUI, Indiana University rebranded its urban campus as "IU Indy". The private University of Indianapolis sued IU in federal court, alleging trademark infringement and severe consumer confusion, citing instances of prospective student mail and packages arriving at the wrong school.

Penn State University vs. Vintage Brand (Retro Logos & Merch)

Penn State filed suit against online retailer Vintage Brand for selling unlicensed apparel featuring historic university logos. Vintage Brand argued the historic symbols were ornamental and non-infringing, but a federal jury ruled in Penn State's favor.

Drake University vs. Des Moines Area Community College (The "D" Logo)

Drake University took legal action against a neighboring community college over a rebrand featuring a stylized "D" logo and mascot elements, arguing the design was  similar to Drake's longtime athletic branding.