Baylor University and Boston University are approaching a settlement in a federal trademark lawsuit tied to Boston’s use of an interlocked “BU” logo. Baylor filed the case against Boston University’s trustees on Aug. 8, 2025.
Baylor President Linda Livingstone said the universities are working together on the litigation and are close to resolving it. In a Sept. 23 court filing, Baylor said substantial progress had been made but that the case could not yet be dismissed because the settlement was not final.
The university previously told the court on Sept. 9 that it would provide an update within two weeks. Under the latest filing, Baylor must either submit an agreement dismissing the case or report on the settlement’s status by Oct. 9, 2026.
Baylor has used its interlocked logo since 1912 and sought federal trademark registration in 1987. Boston University had initially challenged that application, according to information cited by the university, but the schools later entered an agreement allowing both to use “BU” branding. Boston traditionally displayed the letters beside each other, while Baylor used the interlocked design.
Baylor says Boston began selling products featuring interlocked letters in 2018, including merchandise and jerseys for club sports. Baylor contacted Boston in 2021, but the products continued to appear on school-sponsored and licensed items. The lawsuit alleges trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin under the Trademark Act of 1946.
