Columbia Sportswear files a lawsuit against Columbia University for merchandise disputes, marking a recent legal dispute among Ivy League institutions.
In a surprising turn of events, Oregon-based outdoor retailer Columbia Sportswear has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging trademark infringement and breach of contract. The lawsuit, filed on July 23, 20XX in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, claims that the university has been selling merchandise with the name "Columbia" without the required university identifiers, causing confusion and infringing on Columbia Sportswear's trademark rights.
The dispute stems from a 2023 agreement between the two entities, which dictated how Columbia University could use the word "Columbia" on its apparel merchandise. The agreement stated that the university could feature "Columbia" only if it included a recognizable school insignia or its mascot, the word "university," the name of the academic department, the founding year of the university - 1754, or a combination. However, the lawsuit alleges that the university breached this agreement in September 2024 and continued selling merchandise without complying with these conditions.
Some items even featured the Columbia name alongside the Nike swoosh, a competitor to Columbia Sportswear. The lawsuit includes charges of trademark infringement, breach of contract, unfair competition, false designation of origin, and breach of duty of good faith. Columbia Sportswear seeks a jury trial, an injunction to stop sales of the disputed merchandise, donation of remaining stock, and treble damages.
The lawsuit also alleges that the university's use of the Columbia name is causing irreparable harm to Columbia Sportswear's brand and goodwill. The company contends that the use of the name on merchandise without proper university identifiers creates confusion among consumers, leading them to believe that the merchandise is affiliated with or endorsed by Columbia Sportswear.
Columbia University has not publicly commented on the lawsuit as of August 2025. Last week, the university reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay over $220 million to the federal government.
This appears to be the first major legal clash between the two entities regarding the trademark, stemming from the enforcement of their 2023 agreement on merchandise usage. The case is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming months.
Sources: - OlarteMoure, 2025-08-01 [1] - KATU, 2025-07-24 [2] - PPAI, 2025-08-04 [3] - Inside Higher Ed, 2025-08-05 [4] - The Independent, 2025-08-02 [5]
- The media coverage of the lawsuit between Columbia Sportswear and Columbia University has sparked discussions about the importance of trademark protection in the sports and finance sectors, as both industries rely heavily on brand recognition and differentiation.
- The business implications of the ongoing legal dispute between Columbia University and Columbia Sportswear extend beyond the retail industry, potentially impacting the relationship between universities and businesses in sourcing and licensing agreements for merchandise sales.
