Update: Here is our second story on the matter, with reactions from Lipscomb, Liberty, students and legal experts. 

Lipscomb will no longer be able to use the abbreviation “LU” in official capacity, the university announced to campus leaders Friday evening.

After Virginia-based Liberty University contacted Lipscomb and claimed ownership over the phrase “LU,” the university decided to begin a transitioning phrase of removing “LU” from all university usage.

“Several months ago, the university was contacted by legal counsel for Liberty University who informed us that they had copyrighted the use of the letters “LU” some time ago, and we did not have the right to use it as a logo or in any other description of Lipscomb University,” Vice President of Communications and Marketing Deby K. Samuels wrote in the email.

“In subsequent weeks, outside legal counsel was retained, and several attempts were made at reasonable negotiation. In the end, there were two options: one, initiate federal court litigation to adjudicate the rights to “LU” or, two, discontinue its use.  The cost and distraction to take the issue to court would be substantial and the outcome could still be negative. Therefore, the decision was made to immediately transition away from the use of “LU” campus wide.”

Samuels noted that there will be a period of grace to help ease the transition, but no new use of the phrase “LU” will be allowed.

More as this story develops. 

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