Baylor University and Boston University have made substantial progress toward resolving a federal trademark lawsuit, but the case remains active ahead of an Oct. 9, 2026, court deadline. Baylor must either file an agreement ending the litigation or submit another settlement update by that date. The proposed terms have not been disclosed.
Baylor filed the lawsuit against Boston University’s trustees on Aug. 8, 2025. The complaint cited alleged trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin under the Trademark Act of 1946. Baylor President Linda Livingstone said the schools were working toward a resolution.
Baylor previously told the court on Sept. 9 that it expected to report back within two weeks, then said in a Sept. 23 filing that the matter was not ready for dismissal.
Baylor has used its logo since 1912 and applied for federal registration in 1987. The universities previously agreed that both could use the letters “BU” after Boston challenged Baylor’s application. 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 raised the issue in 2021, but Boston continued using the design on school-sponsored and licensed items, according to the source. Baylor said its branding protections were important, while a Baylor professor said the newer design could cause shoppers to confuse merchandise from the two schools.
