Lipscomb will no longer be able to use the abbreviation “LU” in official capacity, the university announced to campus leaders Friday evening.
After Virginia-based Liberty University contacted Lipscomb and claimed ownership over the phrase “LU,” the university decided to begin a transitioning phrase of removing “LU” from all university usage.
“Several months ago, the university was contacted by legal counsel for Liberty University who informed us that they had copyrighted the use of the letters “LU” some time ago, and we did not have the right to use it as a logo or in any other description of Lipscomb University,” Vice President of Communications and Marketing Deby K. Samuels wrote in the email.
“In subsequent weeks, outside legal counsel was retained, and several attempts were made at reasonable negotiation. In the end, there were two options: one, initiate federal court litigation to adjudicate the rights to “LU” or, two, discontinue its use. The cost and distraction to take the issue to court would be substantial and the outcome could still be negative. Therefore, the decision was made to immediately transition away from the use of “LU” campus wide.”
Samuels noted that there will be a period of grace to help ease the transition, but no new use of the phrase “LU” will be allowed.
More as this story develops.
I am disappointed in Liberty. As a lawyer, I understand the importance of intellectual property. However, I would have expected Liberty to show a more “Christian” attitude. I am glad, however, that Lipscomb will not be taking Liberty to court. The expense would be significant, and the outcome would be uncertain. More than that, the media would have a field day with two schools dedicated to Christ brawling like hooligans in a schoolyard. Lipscomb was DLC before it was LU. It is undoubtedly more than the sum of two letters.
Well said, Mr. Randy!
I find this hard to believe…very sad that Liberty University took a litigious stance. On the bright side, here is an opportunity to do something new with Lipscomb’s marketing brand. Good luck to you, Lipscomb.
So will all schools using UT be banned from their use too? or USC? Seems crazy.
Actually, Southern Cal challenged South Carolina’s use of “USC” a few years ago…and won: http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/08/sports/sp-usctrade8
Can I trademark “ME” so no one can refer to themselves in print any more?
Lipscomb could have done the same thing and Liberty would have been out of luck. There is precedent for this. Unfortunately a “Christian attitude” no longer has any place in our courts of law. I am certain these two fine institutions could have come to a workable solution. However, this is much broader than just these two schools. Just another silly government regulation that requires reasonable people to unreasonable things.