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Local entrepreneur faces legal battle over company name
Omar Terywall, founder of Cambridge Rowing Limited, says he feels intimidated after the University of Cambridge opposed his trademark application, calling the move "terrifying" and akin to bullying.
Background of the dispute
Terywall established his company in 2021 in his hometown of Cambridge, offering novice rowers a chance to experience the sport on the River Cam. The business, named Cambridge Rowing Limited, applied to trademark its logo-a shield featuring a rower with the words "Cambridge Rowing"-in January 2022.
Months later, the University of Cambridge filed a formal objection, arguing it needed to "protect trademarks to prevent misuse." A hearing took place in 2025, with a decision expected in early 2026.
Entrepreneur's perspective
Terywall, 46, describes the university's action as overwhelming. "It's terrifying-it really is," he says. "When you've got a very big organisation like them coming after you, it is pretty scary."
While he acknowledges a "great relationship" with the university's colleges, he adds: "The university coming along as an entity-it can be scary-and I guess, yes, there is a form of bullying there."
He insists his company's name is descriptive, not misleading. "The company is Cambridge Rowing Limited, and it is a Cambridge rowing experience-that's essentially it. It's where we are, and it's what I do."
Since its launch, the firm has introduced rowing to over 5,000 people, including hundreds of local children, Terywall says.
University's stance on trademark protection
The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, holds trademarks for the word "Cambridge" in multiple categories, including class 41 for "sporting and cultural activities" and "sport camp services."
A university spokesperson states: "We are often subject to fraudulent actors misrepresenting their association to the university. While we recognise this is not the intention in every case, we have to protect trademarks to prevent misuse."
The spokesperson adds that without protection, fraudulent use would increase, and the university aims to work constructively with those seeking legitimate use of its trademarks.
Legal expert weighs in
Liz Ward, an intellectual property solicitor at Virtuoso Legal, suggests Terywall's attempt to register the trademark in class 41 for "training in sports" and "sports coaching" directly conflicts with the university's interests.
"I don't think they're going to succeed on class 41. You can't deny that Cambridge-of all universities in the UK-is synonymous with rowing."
Liz Ward, Virtuoso Legal
Ward highlights the university's historic reputation in rowing, including the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and the prestigious Cambridge Blue award for athletes representing the institution.
Historical and community context
Terywall's company operates from the City of Cambridge Rowing Club, one of several "town clubs" in the city unaffiliated with the university. He argues that Cambridge predates the university and that rowing has ancient roots, citing evidence of rowing boats dating back to 5,800 BC.
"To take ownership of the word 'Cambridge' and the word 'rowing'-it's bonkers," he says. "Nobody really owns the right to the word 'Cambridge,' and nobody can say they own the word 'rowing' either-it belongs to all of us."
Precedents and next steps
The university has previously challenged other Cambridge-based businesses over trademark use, with mixed outcomes. In 2021, it successfully blocked a brewery from registering "Cambridge Blue" for a Boat Race-themed lager, with the hearing officer ruling the name could imply university endorsement.
Terywall remains defiant, stating he will not change his company's name. "My company name reflects what it is that I do-so it's 'Cambridge Rowing,' and that's exactly what we do."
