Baylor University and Boston University are pursuing a possible agreement that could resolve a federal trademark lawsuit over Boston’s use of an interlocking “BU” logo. The latest court filing gives Baylor until Oct. 9, 2026, to file a dismissal agreement or report on settlement discussions. The filing did not disclose proposed terms.
Baylor sued Boston University’s trustees on Aug. 8, 2025, under the Trademark Act of 1946, citing trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin. Baylor told the court Sept. 9 that it expected an update within two weeks. In a Sept. 23 filing, the university said the case could not yet be dismissed despite substantial progress.
Baylor President Linda Livingstone told baylorlariat.com that the institutions were working toward a resolution.
Baylor has used its logo since 1912 and sought federal registration in 1987. Boston University first challenged that application, then reached an agreement with Baylor allowing both schools to use “BU.” Boston traditionally displayed the letters side by side, while Baylor used an interlocked design. Boston began selling merchandise and club sports jerseys with interlocked letters in 2018.
Baylor contacted Boston in 2021, but Boston continued placing the design on products sold through school-sponsored and licensed channels. Livingstone said trademark and brand protection mattered to Baylor, while marketing professor Meredith David said Boston’s design could cause consumers to confuse merchandise from the two schools.
