NORTHPORT, AL (WBRC) -
Today the University of Alabama apologized to a baker who received a cease and desist letter from the school's trade mark licensing company.
Collegiate Licensing Company of Atlanta sent the letter this week to Mary's Cakes and Pastries of Northport. The business has sold several desserts over the years highlighting the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide football team.
The letter stated the business had to pay for the right to sell cookies, cakes and other treats bearing signature letter "A" and other symbols related to the University of Alabama. The owner, Mary Cesar, was out of town and unable to comment to Fox6 News.
Fox6 News talked to several customers who felt it was unfair for the university to go after Cesar since people there ordered some of these items for school functions.
"Tons of people at UA order her cookies and cakes. And Mary's cake was the cake I think where they brought out the trophy for the national championship so thumbs down," Heidi Benstead
Messages left to the licensing company weren't returned. But just after 3 p.m., the school released this statement to Fox6 News:
"UA has talked to Ms. Cesar and has apologized for the letter, which is not consistent with the protocol we normally follow for local vendors on trademark issues. We have assured Ms. Cesar that we will work with her to resolve this issue quickly and amicably so that she can continue to produce pastries that bear the University's marks. We will also make sure that everyone involved in the licensing process is fully aware of UA's long-standing communications practices and concerns when dealing with local merchants."
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Crimson elephant-shaped pastries are for sale at Mary's Cakes and Pastries. Source: WBRC video
Inside Mary's Cakes and Pastries bakery. Source: WBRC video
This photo of Mary Cesar shows her with a cake she made in honor of the Crimson Tide's National Championship win. Source: WBRC video
