The University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Staples Street Meat Market and its owner, Michael Meehan, on July 29 in the Southern District of Texas. The suit alleges that the business used the university’s Longhorn silhouette logo and associated burnt orange color scheme.
The UT System and Staples Street Meat Market did not immediately respond to Chron’s request for comment.
The university reportedly sent a demand letter objecting to the meat market’s use of the logo and later sent additional follow-up letters.
“Despite being on notice of the university’s objections, Defendants have continued using the Infringing Logo and orange color scheme in connection with their business, including on signage and promotional material,” the complaint reads.
The university argues the butcher shop’s logo and branding could confuse customers into believing the business is affiliated with UT. It also claims the logo’s use weakens the distinctiveness of UT’s well-known Longhorn trademark and unfairly allows the business to benefit from the university’s reputation.
“Defendants’ unauthorized use of the Infringing Logo removes from UT the ability to control the nature and quality of the products and services provided under the Longhorn Silhouette Logo and places the valuable reputation and goodwill of the University in the hands of Defendants, over whom UT has no control,” according to the complaint.
The university is asking a federal judge to permanently bar Staples Street Meat Market from using the Longhorn logo and require the business to remove and destroy any signs, menus, advertisements, and promotional materials featuring it. The university is also seeking money damages, the business’s profits tied to the logo, attorney’s fees, court costs, and any other relief the court deems appropriate.
The current lawsuit is not the first time UT has defended its trademarks in court.
In 2006, UT sued an electrical contractor whose logo featured a Longhorn silhouette with the letters “KST” and a lightning bolt. The university alleged trademark infringement, dilution, and unfair competition.
The university has also challenged several cases with the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. In 2025, UT opposed Future Longhorn Company’s trademark application for a longhorn-head logo, arguing it infringed upon the trademarked silhouette, according to a public settlement agreement.
The UT Longhorn silhouette is a federally registered trademark dating back to the 1980s.
“The Longhorn Silhouette represents the spirit of the University and is one of the most widely recognized University marks in the world,” the UT Austin Marketing and Communications department wrote on its website.