Chicago area company settles logo infringement case

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- A Chicago area businessman has agreed to pay $3.1 million to settle a trademark infringement case involving unauthorized use of university logos.

Donald Bruno, of Burr Ridge, Ill., was placed on probation for 2 1/2 years after pleading guilty to unauthorized use of a trademark. Bruno agreed to pay $1.15 million in criminal fines and $1.74 million in civil fines, penalties and restitution, according to court records in Will County, Ill.

The company and Bruno were accused of illegally using logos from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and nearly 60 other universities and companies on sports memorabilia.

The case is now considered closed, said Lee Michaels, a spokesman for the Will County state's attorney's office.

The University of Iowa received a settlement payment of less than $5,000, said Dale Arens, the university's trademark licensing director.

Bruno's company, which is still in business, has applied for and received a license to produce University of Iowa memorabilia and is in full compliance, Arens said.

The university protects its trademarks "zealously," Arens said.

He said he hopes to have plainclothes officers outside Kinnick Stadium this year to check for people or companies infringing on the trademark.