Former Pac-12 Schools Settle Vintage Logo Lawsuit

The 12 schools reached an agreement with Sportswear Inc. over retro merchandise.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:09pm

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A minimalist studio still life featuring a collection of sleek, geometric objects in muted tones, conceptually representing the complex legal and commercial issues surrounding the use of iconic college sports logos and trademarks.A settlement between former Pac-12 schools and an apparel company over the use of retro logos highlights the ongoing battle over college sports branding and intellectual property.Los Angeles Today

All 12 schools of the former Pac-12 athletic conference have settled their trademark lawsuit against Sportswear Inc. over merchandise featuring retro versions of their branding. The schools, including USC, Oregon, and Washington, filed a stipulation to dismiss the case in federal court after the lawsuit survived a motion to dismiss in 2022 and the parties engaged in settlement negotiations.

Why it matters

The settlement resolves a high-profile dispute over the commercial use of iconic college sports logos and branding, which are valuable intellectual property assets for universities. The case highlights the competitive market for vintage and nostalgic merchandise, as well as the challenges schools face in protecting their trademarks.

The details

Details of the settlement agreement were not available in court filings. The lawsuit had been in negotiations since being allowed to proceed in 2022 after a previous attempt to dismiss it was rejected by the court.

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2021.
  • The case survived a motion to dismiss in 2022.
  • The parties notified the court of their settlement agreement in September 2026.

The players

University of Southern California

One of the 12 former Pac-12 schools involved in the trademark lawsuit against Sportswear Inc.

University of Oregon

One of the 12 former Pac-12 schools involved in the trademark lawsuit against Sportswear Inc.

University of Washington

One of the 12 former Pac-12 schools involved in the trademark lawsuit against Sportswear Inc.

Sportswear Inc.

The defendant company that was sued by the former Pac-12 schools over its use of retro versions of their branding on merchandise.

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The takeaway

This settlement underscores the value universities place on protecting their iconic brands and the ongoing tension between schools and companies seeking to capitalize on nostalgic college sports imagery. The case also highlights the competitive market for vintage-inspired merchandise that resonates with fans.