Baylor University and Boston University have made substantial progress toward resolving a federal trademark lawsuit, but the case has not yet been dismissed. A court filing says Baylor will submit a dismissal agreement or another settlement update by Oct. 9, 2026. The possible settlement’s terms were not disclosed.
Baylor filed the lawsuit Aug. 8, 2025, against Boston University’s trustees. The case alleges violations involving trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin under the Trademark Act of 1946. Baylor told the court Sept. 9 that it expected to report on the matter within two weeks. A Sept. 23 filing said the universities were still not ready to end the case.
Baylor has used its logo since 1912 and sought federal registration in 1987. Boston University initially opposed that application before the schools agreed both could use the letters "BU." Boston traditionally displayed the letters side by side, while Baylor used an interlocked version.
Boston began selling merchandise and club sports jerseys with interlocked letters in 2018. Baylor contacted Boston in 2021, and the design remained on Boston’s school-sponsored and licensed products. Baylor President Linda Livingstone said brand and trademark protection was significant, though litigation was not the university’s first objective.
Baylor marketing associate professor Meredith David said the newer design could cause buyers to confuse merchandise from the two universities.
