Baylor University and Boston University are nearing a settlement in a federal trademark lawsuit involving Boston’s use of an interlocking “BU” logo. Baylor filed the case against Boston University’s trustees on Aug. 8, 2025, alleging trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin under the Trademark Act of 1946.
Baylor President Linda Livingstone told the Baylor Lariat that the universities are working together on the case and that “we are close to a resolution.” Baylor notified the court Sept. 9 that the parties were discussing a settlement and later reported that substantial progress had been made.
In a Sept. 23 court update, Baylor said the agreement had not been completed and the lawsuit could not yet be dismissed. The university said it expects either to submit a dismissal agreement or provide another status report by Oct. 9, 2026.
Baylor has used its interlocking BU design since 1912 and applied for federal trademark registration in 1987. Boston University initially challenged that application, but the schools later entered an agreement allowing both institutions to use the letters. Boston traditionally displayed the letters separately, while Baylor used the interlocked design.
The dispute developed after Boston began selling merchandise and club-sports jerseys featuring an interlocked BU in 2018. Baylor contacted Boston in 2021, but the source reported that Boston continued using the design on school-related and licensed products. The terms of any settlement have not been provided.
