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The University of Indianapolis is suing Indiana University in federal court, accusing the school of unfair competition and trademark dilution over its use of the phrase “IU Indy.”
The south-side university says that phrase, used to refer to IU’s Indianapolis campus, is too similar to its own trademark, UINDY, according to a complaint filed Tuesday against Indiana University’s Board of Trustees.
The University of Indianapolis says the phrase used by IU is likely to cause confusion among the public between the two schools. Court documents note that the schools compete in the same market for the same students.
“This is an action for infringement of U Indy’s well -known federally registered trademark ‘UINDY,’” said the complaint filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
An IU spokesperson said late Tuesday that the university does not comment on litigation.
The University of Indianapolis said it has used its UINDY trademark for nearly 24 years. The school said in the complaint that it “engages in extensive advertising and promotion of its goods and services under its UINDY Mark.”
“As a result, U Indy has built up, at great expense and effort, valuable goodwill in its UINDY Mark, and has developed strong common law rights in the mark,” the complaint states.
It said its rival filed for trademark registration of IU Indy in early 2024.
That year, the university known as IUPUI split to become IU Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis.
The University of Indianapolis is suing for trademark infringement and unfair competition and false designation of origin.
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