The University of Indianapolis has sued Indiana University Indianapolis to stop its cross-town competitor’s use of the phrase “IU Indy.”
Since IU’s downtown campus split with Purdue University in 2024, the university has emblazoned its athletic jerseys and other materials with “IU Indy.” The University of Indianapolis filed a federal lawsuit Aug. 11 urging a judge to order IU to stop using the phrase, calling it “unfair competition” that too closely resembles the “UINDY” trademark.
Reached by phone Tuesday, IU Executive Director of Media Relations Mark Bode told IndyStar the university does not comment on litigation.
The University of Indianapolis has registered “UINDY” in various contexts dating back more than 20 years, according to the lawsuit. The name shows up in the school’s advertising materials and goods and services for sale.
The university argues that IU Indy has already confused students and consumers, threatening to strip away the prestige and goodwill it’s built with the name “UINDY.”
IU’s name could cause “confusion and deception in the marketplace and diversion of potential students and customers of U Indy to IU,” according to the lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
The south-side university is suing for trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin. The lawsuit asks the judge to stop IU from using the phrase “IU Indy” and to force the college to pay damages.
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Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU sued by University of Indianapolis for ‘IU Indy’ name
Reporting by Jordan Smith, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jordan Smith, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
