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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville now has licensing control over “Razorback” electric guitars, though two Florida companies created the line to commemorate a slain guitarist who once played for Pantera.

Concordia Investment Partners Inc. and Armadillo Distribution Enterprises Inc. began selling the guitars after the death of “Dimebag Darrell” Abbott, who wore a razor blade around his neck while playing on stage. In 2007, the university sued, claiming the line as a copyright infringement as its athletics teams bear the Razorback name.

A settlement filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville gives the university licensing control over the guitars. The two companies get to keep selling the guitars in stores and over the Internet, but only through a wholesaler licensed by the university.

The settlement also gives the companies exclusive license to use the Razorback mark on T-shirts, caps and jackets, in conjunction with two of the words, “Dimebag,” ‘’Darrell” and “Abbott.” The settlement requires the companies to pay the university a $50 annual licensing fee.

Scott Varady, the university’s general counsel, said the school “always seeks to protect its trademarks and intellectual properties” and the settlement accomplishes that. Art Fisher III, an attorney for the two companies, said they were pleased to resolve the suit.

The disputed guitars, which have beveled edges and barbed points, have the word Razorback on the head stock, Fisher said.

On Dec. 8, 2004, Nathan Gale, a former Marine, rushed the stage while Abbott was playing with his band Damageplan and began shooting. Four people were killed, including Abbott, who was shot in the head, before a Columbus police officer killed Gale with a shotgun blast.