The University of Houston and South Texas College of Law Houston have settled a nine-month long spat over the use of the name “Houston” in their names.
The schools announced that after mediation, they have settled the trademark dispute that stemmed from the June 2016 rebranding of South Texas College of Law to Houston College of Law.
Following a federal court opinion in October 2016 granting University of Houston’s request for a preliminary injunction, South Texas College of Law Houston’s board of directors elected to proceed with the name South Texas College of Law Houston, appending “Houston” to the school’s former name
Following mediation before Judge Dena Palermo, the parties signed a settlement agreement that enables South Texas College of Law Houston to use the geographic descriptor “Houston” in its name and in other marketing of the law school, while ensuring its use of “Houston” will not cause confusion between the two schools.
University of Houston agreed to dismiss its lawsuit, and South Texas College of Law Houston agreed not to challenge the University of Houston’s trademark application for the use of “Houston” related to education services and related goods and services.
Previous coverage:
Houston law schools battle over name
Judge halts South Texas College of Law name change
South Texas College of Law settles on final new name