The Texas A&M University System has issued a cease-and-desist letter to TexAM University for “infringing upon or diluting Texas A&M’s trademarks.”
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System has issued a cease-and-desist letter to another Texas educational entity for what the system says amounts to “unauthorized use of the Texas A&M University name and trademarks.”
The Texas A&M University System said it issued the letter to the Texas American Muslim Institute of Technology at Dallas, which also reportedly goes by TexAM University, demanding that the school “immediately stop using names, marks, domains and branding elements that infringe upon or dilute Texas A&M’s trademarks.”
“Use of ‘TexAM,’ ‘Texas AM University’ and similar variations creates confusion and misleads the public,” The Texas A&M University System said in a statement. “The entity is not affiliated with or endorsed by Texas A&M University or The Texas A&M University System.”
“The Texas A&M University System has a responsibility to protect the name and trademarks, which represent more than a century of academic excellence, public trust and institutional integrity,” said Chancellor Glenn Hegar of The Texas A&M University System. “When another organization uses branding that is similar, particularly in the same educational space, we must act to prevent confusion and protect the value of those marks.”
The Texas A&M University System said TexAM is not recognized as a university by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The System said officials are “prepared to pursue all necessary legal remedies.”
The announcement comes as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, at the behest of Governor Greg Abbott, also issued a cease-and-desist order to the school to stop all operations, claiming TexAM is “not operating in Texas in compliance with Texas laws and regulations,” as it was never given a Certificate of Authority to operate in Texas.
TexAM is located in Richardson and offers in-person and online STEM courses.
“We are aware of the communication from THECB regarding state authorization,” the school said in a statement. “We are a legal entity in Texas and are actively engaging with THECB to clarify any misunderstandings and to ensure full compliance with State regulations.”