The University of Indianapolis is suing Indiana University over its use of the term “IU Indy.”
The lawsuit filed Aug. 11 in federal court accuses IU of trademark infringement and unfair competition because the nickname “IU Indy” is too similar to “UIndy.”
The University of Indianapolis is seeking monetary and injunctive relief, meaning it wants Indiana University Indianapolis to stop using the name, per the August complaint. Previously, the University of Indianapolis has tried to stop IU from using “IU Indy” in an ongoing 2025 complaint filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Get the backstory
IU spokesperson Mark Bode said the university does not comment on litigation.
The University of Indianapolis spokesperson Dan Klein said the university cannot comment now that the lawsuit has been filed.
“We will allow the legal process to proceed and remain hopeful that this matter can be resolved,” Klein’s statement read.
The backstory
The University of Indianapolis has had “UIndy” trademarked since 2003, per patent records.
However, when IUPUI split into IU Indianapolis and Purdue in Indianapolis in 2024, IU began to rebrand itself as IU Indianapolis.
In February 2024 — just a few months before the split — IU applied to trademark “IU Indy.” The University of Indianapolis filed an opposition to that a year later, though that dispute never reached a conclusion.
Since the split, IU Indianapolis has used “IU Indy” on its websites, promotional materials and sports uniforms.
That was troubling to the University of Indianapolis. Administrators told Mirror Indy earlier this year it has caused problems for the southside college, from mistaken deliveries to prospective students going to the wrong location.
And the sports uniforms, said president Tanuja Singh, were practically identical. In an interview with Mirror Indy earlier this year, Singh said she wants IU Indianapolis to recognize that IU giving up the nickname is actually in both schools’ best interest.
“It’s not hurting just us,” Singh said. “It’s hurting them as well.”
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Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, at 317-759-0249 or on most social media @clairerafford.
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