Maryland University takes on cannabis dispensary in fierce logo dispute

Maryland University is in a design dispute with a cannabis dispensary over an allegedly similar logo. Appearing across the university's merchandise and branding, the 'Terps' (short for terrapins) logo has been a heritage asset for the institution, and it's not afraid to protect it.

While the design world is no stranger to logo disputes, Maryland University's fierce cease-and-desist strategy proves just how important heritage design can be. With the dispensary not willing to part with its identity, it seems we're entering the ultimate battle of the script fonts.

Maryland University is in a design dispute with a cannabis dispensary over an allegedly similar logo. Appearing across the university's merchandise and branding, the 'Terps' (short for terrapins) logo has been a heritage asset for the institution, and it's not afraid to protect it.

While the design world is no stranger to logo disputes, Maryland University's fierce cease-and-desist strategy proves just how important heritage design can be. With the dispensary not willing to part with its identity, it seems we're entering the ultimate battle of the script fonts.

Both the Terps and Terps USA branding feature a cursive font in bold red, with allegedly similar flourishes on the 'r' and 's' letterforms. In an email to Terps USA owner Ken Fry, the University claimed, "Your company has stolen the name and trademarked image from the University of Maryland," with the cease-and-desist letter soon to follow. "Such an association would materially impair the goodwill embodied in the University's famous TERPS marks," it claimed.