A federal judge could receive the next update in Baylor University’s trademark lawsuit against Boston University by Oct. 9, 2026. Baylor’s latest filing says the university will either submit an agreement dismissing the case or provide another settlement update by that date. The filing said the schools had made substantial progress, but the case was not ready for dismissal.
Terms of a potential agreement have not been released.
Baylor filed the lawsuit Aug. 8, 2025, against Boston University’s trustees. The claims allege trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin under the Trademark Act of 1946. Baylor President Linda Livingstone said the universities are working toward a resolution. Baylor had told the court Sept. 9 that it expected to provide an update within two weeks.
Baylor has used its logo since 1912 and sought federal registration in 1987. The schools previously reached an agreement allowing both to use the letters "BU" after Boston challenged Baylor’s registration application. Boston traditionally displayed the letters side by side, while Baylor used an interlocked design.
Baylor said Boston began offering merchandise and club sports jerseys with interlocked letters in 2018 and continued that use after Baylor contacted the university in 2021. Baylor marketing professor Meredith David said the newer design could cause consumers to confuse merchandise from the two schools.
