Maryland biz magazine may close

Chris Hunterman of the Frederick Gazette in Maryland reports that a local business magazine may not publish any more due to litigation between the two partners who founded it.

Hunterman writes, “A petition filed by Harby Tran of Frederick to ‘dissolve, wind up and terminate’ the bimonthly Smart Company Magazine of Hagerstown has been wending its way through Frederick County Circuit Court since last summer.

“Meanwhile, the defendant, co-founder Ridgerunner Publishing of Hagerstown, has countersued to block Tran from publishing a rival business magazine and seeking $500,000 in compensatory damages.

“Tran and Ridgerunner formed Smart Company Magazine as equal partners, just before the first issue was published in January 2007, with each contributing $15,000, according to Tran’s petition. Until July, Tran was co-publisher and primarily responsible for marketing and advertising sales in Frederick County.

“Ridgerunner — which also publishes Hagerstown Magazine: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond, HM Bride, HM Home and BRAVO! — acknowledges Tran’s $15,000 investment, but denies he was an equal owner who was to participate in management decisions as an equal partner.”

Read more here.