A federal court could receive either a settlement agreement or another status report by Oct. 9, 2026, in Baylor University’s trademark lawsuit against Boston University’s trustees. Baylor’s latest filing said the schools had made substantial progress but that the case was not yet ready to be dismissed. The potential settlement’s terms have not been released.
Baylor filed the lawsuit Aug. 8, 2025, accusing Boston University of violating trademark law through trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin. Baylor President Linda Livingstone said the universities are working toward a resolution. Baylor had told the court Sept. 9 that it expected to report back within two weeks, but the Sept. 23 filing extended the process.
Baylor has used its logo since 1912 and sought federal registration in 1987. Boston University first 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 raised the issue with Boston in 2021, and Boston continued using the design on products connected to the school and on licensed merchandise, according to the source.
Livingstone said trademark protection was important, while Baylor marketing professor Meredith David said the newer design could cause consumers to confuse merchandise from the two universities.
