The University of Utah wants to negotiate with the makers of "Big Love" after the college and television network got into a fight over the use of the U.'s logo in an episode of the hit HBO drama.

The university argues the producers of the drama about a Utah polygamist family illegally used the U. block letter in a three-second shot during last season's finale without the college's permission.

In a letter sent to the university July 17, HBO claimed it had not violated the use of the college's trademarked logo and would fight the allegation. "[They] referenced a couple of things to the First Amendment," said U. spokeswoman Coralie Alder, who saw the letter.

An HBO spokeswoman would only confirm that the letter was sent last week, and Alder declined on Monday to provide a copy of the letter to The Salt Lake Tribune until she conferred with university legal counsel.

"HBO's opinion regarding the use of the University's trademarks in a 'Big Love' episode differs from the University's position," according to a U. statement. "Our legal office and Collegiate Images [the licensing and rights clearance agency for the U] are reviewing the matter in hopes of negotiating or reaching a compromise."

The battle erupted July 7 when the university fired off a cease-and-desist letter to HBO demanding the network clip out the shot of the university's logo on a letter masthead that appeared in the third season finale, which was broadcast March 22.

The university wants all future airings of the episode to exclude the shot, as well as the DVD release, which will hit store shelves in December or January.