The Texas A&M University System is threatening legal action against the Texas American Muslim University at Dallas over alleged trademark infringement, one day after state leaders ordered the school to cease operations.

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The trademark threat marks another legal challenge for the Richardson-based school. The school, which brands itself as “TexAM University,” made headlines Thursday after Gov. Greg Abbott said it was violating state law by operating as a higher education institution without proper authorization. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which does not recognize the school as a university, ordered it to cease advertising its programs and enrolling students. 

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On Friday, Texas A&M University System officials sent the school a cease-and-desist letter, demanding it immediately stop using names and branding elements that “infringe upon or dilute” Texas A&M’s trademarks. 

Texas A&M officials argued that in using “TexAM” or “Texas AM University,” the school could confuse and mislead the public that there is a connection between the two institutions. TexAm University is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Texas A&M system or its flagship campus in College Station.

“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,” Chancellor Glenn Hegar said in a Friday news release.

Shahid Bajwa, the school’s founder, did not immediately comment on the release when reached by The Dallas Morning News on Friday. 

To avoid further litigation, Texas A&M officials outlined a series of steps for the school to take, including removing “TexAM University” and any similar name or mark from its secretary of state filings, website, social media content and marketing materials, according to the cease-and-desist letter. 

All advertising materials with markings similar to Texas A&M branding should also be destroyed, and the school should stop selling any merchandise bearing those marks, the letter says.  

System officials also asked the school to transfer its website domain name — texam.education — to Texas A&M within ten business days. 

The Texas American Muslim University at Dallas advertises itself as the first university in the country to offer STEM degree programs with mandatory courses in Islamic studies.

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On Thursday, Abbott, who has increasingly scrutinized Islamic schools and sought to curtail activities hosted by Muslim groups, described the school as an “illegal educational institution.”

Private universities must be authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to grant degrees in Texas under state law. The law, which aims to “prevent deception of the public” based on “fraudulent or substandard college and university degrees,” requires institutions that are already accredited or working toward accreditation to apply for authorization.

TexAm University does not appear in the U.S. Department of Education’s database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs. 

Bajwa told The News that the school was “actively engaging” with state officials to “clarify any misunderstandings and to ensure full compliance with state regulations.” 

He said the school, which started its first semester in October 2025, was aware of the state’s process for authorization. School leaders are “in the process of seeking the necessary authorizations and accreditation and will not offer degrees until all regulatory approvals are secured,” he said in a statement Thursday evening.

The school has not granted degrees, certificates or credentials, he said, adding that it is primarily funded through donations.