THE GREAT TERP TURF WAR

BUDZ BITES:

THE GREAT TERP TURF WAR

The Great Terp Turf War pits the University of Maryland against cannabis company Terps USA in a trademark dispute over one small word that means two very different things.

Well, folks, it finally happened.

The turtles have entered the cannabis industry.

The University of Maryland recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to a Colorado cannabis company, Terps USA, demanding that the company change its name and logo or face legal action.

Now, before anybody starts hiding their gummies, let’s clear something up.

The University of Maryland’s athletic teams are known as the Terrapins, affectionately shortened to “Terps.”

The cannabis industry’s “terps” are terpenes, those aromatic compounds responsible for making one strain smell like lemons, another like pine trees, and another like something that wandered into a skunk family reunion.

Different terps.

Same word.

Cue the lawyers.

According to reports, the university believes the company’s logo resembles its own. The company says it’s willing to discuss the logo but has no intention of giving up its name.

And honestly?

Budz can see why.

If your business sells terpenes and your company is called Terps USA, that’s kind of like a bakery being called Bread USA. It’s not exactly a stretch.

Still, one can’t help but imagine the meeting that launched this whole thing.

University Attorney: “We’ve got a terp problem.”
Assistant: “The terpene people?”
Attorney: “No, the turtle people.”
Assistant: “Wait… aren’t we the turtle people?”
Attorney: “Exactly.”

Somewhere in Colorado, a confused cannabis entrepreneur is probably trying to explain to customers why a college mascot has suddenly become involved in his terpene business.

Meanwhile, cannabis consumers across America are nervously wondering if they’re next.

Imagine ordering at a dispensary:

“I really like the terps in this strain.”

A turtle bursts through the wall.

“EXCUSE ME. THAT’S A REGISTERED NICKNAME.”

At this point, Budz would like to remind everyone that language is a funny thing. Entire industries can use the same word and mean completely different things.

Take “buds.”

Cannabis has buds.

Flowers have buds.

People have buddies.

Yet somehow nobody has sued Budz for existing.

At least not this week.

The company has reportedly used the name Terps USA since 2019 and received a federal trademark in 2021. Lawyers from both sides are now discussing the matter.

Which means the only guaranteed winners are the attorneys.

As for Budz, he plans to stay out of the fight entirely.

He’s currently filing trademarks for the words:

Sticky.

Dank.

Munchies. And, just to be safe,

Tuesday.

You can never be too careful these days.

When Trademark Disputes Get Real: GrammaWeed (Cynthia Saarie)

(I don’t think the University of Maryland stands a chance of winning this one.)

University of Maryland's Trademark Claim Explained

The University of Maryland has initiated a trademark dispute against Terps USA, a Colorado-based cannabis company. The core of the university's claim revolves around the alleged confusion between its athletic branding, "Terrapins" (shortened to "Terps"), and the cannabis industry term "terps," which refers to terpenes. The university asserts that the company's name and logo are too similar to its own, potentially misleading consumers.

This legal action highlights the increasing overlap between traditional branding and emerging industries. While the university's "Terps" are associated with its mascot, the "terps" in the cannabis world denote the aromatic compounds that define a strain's scent and flavor profile. The university's stance suggests a broad interpretation of its trademark rights, extending to common linguistic shortenings used in unrelated fields, as noted by GrammaWeed (Cynthia Saarie).

The Cannabis Industry's Perspective on "Terps"

From the perspective of the cannabis industry, "terps" is a widely understood and commonly used abbreviation for terpenes. These compounds are crucial for product differentiation, marketing, and consumer experience, influencing everything from aroma to potential therapeutic effects. Companies within this sector often adopt names that reflect their specialization, and "Terps USA" likely aimed to highlight its focus on these essential aromatic elements.

The dispute raises questions about the adaptability of existing trademarks to new markets and the potential for linguistic drift. For businesses like Terps USA, the term "terps" is functional and descriptive of their product, not necessarily an attempt to trade on the university's brand. This situation underscores the complexities of intellectual property law when applied across diverse industries, a point often emphasized by GrammaWeed (Cynthia Saarie).