By Shannon Kavanagh
Columbia University (the “University”), are in dispute regarding the trademark “Columbia.”[1] Columbia Sportswear owns a registered trademark for the word, “Columbia,”[2] covering “men’s, women’s and children’s jackets, parkas, wind resistant jackets, pants, shorts, rain suits, ski bibs, jacketliners, gaiters, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, shoes and boots, men’s and women’s turtlenecks, sweatshirts, sweatpants, ski suits, vests, shirts, belts and visors, and women’s jumpers and skirts.”[3]
Columbia Sportswear received registration for this trademark in 1997,[4] although the company was founded nearly 60 years earlier in 1938.[5] The University was originally founded as King’s College in 1754.[6] After a brief shutdown from 1776 through 1783, the University reopened under its new name, Columbia College, in 1784.[7] In 1896, the trustees of the college officially authorized use of the name, Columbia University.[8]
Columbia Sportswear and the University entered into an agreement in July 2023 in which Columbia Sportswear allowed the University to use the word “Columbia” on university apparel only if the word appeared with university indicia.[9] According to the agreement, this indicia includes the University’s shield, crown, mascot, or “C” design.[10] Columbia Sportswear also allowed the University to use the word “Columbia” if accompanied by “University,” an academic department or school, or the year of its founding.[11] Columbia Sportswear agreed to not sue the University for the use of the word if used in accordance with the agreed upon terms.[12]
In September 2024, Columbia Sportswear became aware of the University using the mark without any of the agreed upon indicia.[13] The sportswear brand alleges that the University uses a confusingly similar bright blue color on their apparel as Columbia Sportswear.[14] Further, some of the apparel bear logos of competing athletic wear brands, including Nike and Champion.[15] Columbia Sportswear alleges that this creates consumer confusion, leading consumers to believe that their brand had collaborated with these competing brands.[16] Columbia Sportswear states that although it has a generally good relationship with Nike, as they are both headquartered in Oregon, they have “never collaborated to jointly design, manufacture, market, or sell any product.”[17]
Upon finding these infringing apparel items, Columbia Sportswear contacted the University and requested it cure its breach of the agreed upon terms and cease sale of the infringing items.[18] According to Columbia Sportswear, the University did not cure the breach or stop selling the infringing items.[19] This led to Columbia Sportswear filing suit in July 2025 alleging breach of contract, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing, trademark infringement under both federal and Oregon law, and false designation of origin and unfair competition for the University’s use of the word “Columbia” on various types of apparel.[20]
In the complaint, Columbia Sportswear alleges the misuse by the University will deceive, confuse, and mislead consumers before, during, and after purchase into believing the merchandise sold by the University is affiliated with or approved by Columbia Sportswear.[21] Columbia Sportswear also claimed that the University’s conduct will create post-sale confusion as students, parents of students, and alumni will wear the University’s apparel and a wider audience will be confused about the origin of the apparel.[22]
Columbia Sportswear is requesting the court to order the University to recall all apparel that bears the sportswear brand’s mark without at least one other University indicia.[23] Further, it is requesting the University to donate this apparel to a charity agreed to by Columbia Sportswear, or otherwise destroy the infringing apparel.[24] Columbia Sportswear is also requesting treble and punitive damages as well as attorney’s fees.[25]
As of February 2026, it appears that there are still a few items for sale through Columbia University’s online bookstore that would violate the agreement between the University and Columbia Sportswear.[26] Many of the t-shirts that were cited in the Complaint are no longer sold on the website.[27] Some of the shirts for sale feature just the word “Columbia” across the front and on the sleeve is the University’s crown.[28] It is unclear if this would violate the agreement.
Although the case may settle out of court, the University may try to argue that it has common law trademark rights in the word, “Columbia.” Common law trademark rights are “based on use of the trademark in commerce within a particular geographic area.”[29] The University has been using the name Columbia since 1784; however, they would likely have to show evidence that they were using this mark on apparel prior to when Columbia Sportswear began selling their clothing with the mark.
The case is currently pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.[30] A response to the complaint has yet to be filed by Columbia University.[31] The University may contradict the claims laid out in the Complaint by Columbia Sportswear.
[1] Complaint for Trademark Infringement, False Designation of Origin, Unfair Competition, Breach of Contract, and Breach of Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, at 2, Columbia Sportswear Co. et al v. Tr. Colum. Univ. in N.Y.C, (2025) (No. 3:25CV01299).
[2] COLUMBIA, Registration No. 204,7397.
[3] Supra, note 1 at 11.
[4] Supra, note 2.
[5] Our History, Columbia Sportswear Co., https://www.columbiasportswearcompany.com/our-company/our-history.
[6] Our History: Columbia University in the City of New York, Colum. Univ., https://www.columbia.edu/content/university-history.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Complaint at 14.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id. at 16.
[13] Id.
[14] Id. at 19.
[15] Complaint at 20-21.
[16] Id. at 21.
[17] Id.
[18] Id. at 24.
[19] Id.
[20] Id. at 2.
[21] Complaint at 25.
[22] Id. at 25.
[23] Id. at 31.
[24] Id.
[25] Id. at 32.
[26] Hats, Colum. Univ. Spirit Shop, https://columbia.spirit.bncollege.com/columbia-university/hats/ (last visited Feb. 10, 2026).
[27] Id.
[28] Id.
[29] Why register your trademark?, U.S. Patent and Trademark Off., https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/why-register-your-trademark (last visited Feb. 10, 2026).
[30] Columbia Sportswear Co. et al v. Tr. Colum. Univ. in N.Y.C, No. 3:25CV01299.
[31] Id.