Trustees of Columbia University v. Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp.

964 F. Supp. 733 (1997)

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Trustees of Columbia University v. Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp.

United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
964 F. Supp. 733 (1997)

Facts

Columbia University (the university) (plaintiff) was a private, nonprofit university located in New York. The university registered the name “Columbia University” for use with its educational services only. The university operated a medical school and nursing school, among other healthcare educational programs. Via an alliance with The Presbyterian Hospital, the hospital operated as an academic medical center under the name “Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.” Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. (the corporation) (defendant) was an unrelated private healthcare-services provider with multiple healthcare facilities that has used the word “Columbia” since its founding. The corporation did not act in bad faith in adopting its name. The university had been aware of the corporation’s use of the word “Columbia” in its name for years and had not expressed any objection. The word “Columbia” was regularly used by other healthcare organizations as well. In 1995, the corporation began using a Diamond < C > Columbia logo on all of its facilities. In 1996, the university filed a lawsuit against the corporation, alleging trademark infringement under the Lanham Act. The university’s claims proceeded to a bench trial.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Koeltl, J.)

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