Nike apologized Friday and stopped a fashion collection after the U.S. Naval Academy objected to a logo, saying the similarities between the logo and the academy’s historical seal are “undeniable” and a trademark infringement.

The logo, from a collaboration between Nike and Undefeated, a Los Angeles sportswear line, prompted a backlash on social media and a complaint from the academy.

“The Naval Academy crest represents honor, integrity and leadership,” a Naval Academy spokeswoman said in a statement issued Friday, “and is emblematic of our students and more than 80,000 alumni who serve and have served our country, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice in its defense.

“It is difficult to understand why anyone would modify and use our symbol without permission for marketing and profit motives,” the statement said.

Nike responded with a written statement Friday evening.

“We recently were made aware of our logo being included into a design that has been previously used by one of our longstanding partners,” the company said. “We have always respected the US Navy and its Academy and have been a longtime supporter of the military.

“We do not feel it is appropriate to move forward with the collection. We apologize to anyone who was offended.”

The Undefeated brand could not be reached for comment Friday.

The similarity between the crest and the logo, which Undefeated tweeted out this week, was noted by the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Md., and by some on social media.

On Facebook, many responded angrily to the logo, pasting images of the Naval Academy’s coat of arms and writing comments such as, “Just plain wrong” and “ripoff.” Some asked how the company could expect to get away with it, vowed not to buy any of their products, and vented their dislike of Nike.

Friday afternoon, the tweets and Facebook posts by Undefeated containing the logo had been deleted.

‪The Nike x Undefeated line, which was scheduled to launch for sale Sunday, included a logo flanked by two columns, with a hand grasping a trophy on the top and flags unfurling around the edges with words including, “RESPECT ALL,” “FEAR NONE” and “LOS ANGELES.” At the center was the Undefeated logo, and on the trophy is the Nike swoosh.

The Naval Academy crest, adopted in 1899, has a logo that is flanked by two columns, with a hand grasping a trident on the top, and flags unfurling around the edges with words including “NAVAL” and “ACADEMY” and a motto in Latin that means “From knowledge, sea power.”

The seal is carved in stone and etched in bronze on the Annapolis campus and, according to the academy’s website, “can be found on the Naval Academy flag, in a stained glass window in the chapel, on every class ring since 1906, on doorknobs, belt buckles, cuff links, T-shirts, blazer patches, coffee cups and numerous other ceramic, paper objects and clothing. Even the paper milk cartons used in the midshipmen’s wardroom bear the emblem.”