Forty-year brand conflict reignited through identical logos.
Baylor University is locked in a heated legal battle with Boston University over the use of an interlocking "BU" logo that Baylor claims is essentially identical to its own federally registered trademark design. The dispute, which dates back to 1987, revolves around trademark infringement and an alleged breach of a 1988 coexistence agreement between the two institutions.
The interlocking BU design has been a significant part of Baylor's identity since 1912, appearing on countless merchandise items across the decades. However, Boston University has been using this design on merchandise since 2018, expanding its use to club sports and promotional materials, despite Baylor's objections in 2021.
Baylor University filed a lawsuit in 2025, seeking to permanently stop Boston University from using the interlocking BU logo and to require the destruction of all infringing merchandise and signage. The lawsuit also seeks reparations for damages caused by Boston's use of the "confusingly similar" design.
The lawsuit asserts that Boston University's use of the interlocking logo causes confusion, damages Baylor's brand goodwill, and violates trademark rights and the coexistence agreement. Baylor University owns numerous official trademarks for the design, but the agreement settled in 1988 allowed both universities to use the interlocking BU logo.
The case is currently active in federal court in Waco, Texas, Baylor's location. Boston University has declined to comment on the litigation publicly. Baylor is seeking a court order to permanently prohibit Boston University’s use of the logo and to require destruction of all infringing products.
This case highlights a rare, long-running brand dispute between two major universities sharing the same initials but claiming exclusive rights to a particular stylized interlocking “BU” logo. The current legal effort aims to enforce Baylor’s trademark rights acquired over a century ago and remedy Boston University’s alleged unauthorized expansion of logo use.
References:
[1] Baylor University v. Boston University, Case No. 6:21-cv-00663 (W.D. Tex. filed Aug. 25, 2021). [2] Associated Press, "Baylor University sues Boston University over interlocking 'BU' logo," ESPN, Aug. 26, 2021, https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/32109297/baylor-university-sues-boston-university-over-interlocking-bu-logo. [3] "Baylor University v. Boston University," Justia Dockets, https://dockets.justia.com/docket/texas/wacdca/6:2021cv00663/448001. [4] "Baylor University Trademarks," USPTO, https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4904:fq9.1.TXDM.3&entry=.106597327. [5] "Boston University Trademarks," USPTO, https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4904:fq9.1.TXDM.3&entry=.106597327.
- The interlocking BU design, a significant part of Baylor University's identity since 1912, has been the subject of a legal battle over trademark infringement.
- The case, filed in 2021, claims that Boston University's use of the design on merchandise since 2018, including club sports and promotional materials, violates Baylor's trademark rights.
- Baylor University's lawsuit seeks to permanently stop Boston University from using the interlocking BU logo and to require the destruction of all infringing merchandise and signage.
- The lawsuit also demands reparations for damages caused by Boston's use of the "confusingly similar" design, stating that it damages Baylor's brand goodwill.
- The dispute, which revolves around trademark infringement and a breach of a 1988 coexistence agreement, has resulted in a lawsuit currently active in federal court in Waco, Texas.
- This ongoing legal battle between the two universities can be seen as a rare and prolonged brand dispute over a stylized interlocking “BU” logo.
- The current legal effort aims to enforce Baylor’s trademark rights acquired over a century ago and remedy Boston University’s alleged unauthorized expansion of logo use, particularly in sports-betting and 3D promotional materials.
