NYU Langone Accuses Northwell Of Trademark Infringement

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Two of New York's top health systems are involved in some legal wrangling.

NYU Langone filed a lawsuit against Northwell Health, which has many doctors' offices, urgent care centers, labs and radiology centers in Westchester including Phelps Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital, over the use of its logo.

On Tuesday, Northwell countered with a motion in US District Court of Southern District that to "dismiss NYU Langone's unfounded lawsuit," a spokesperson for Northwell Health said.

At issue is purple, used as a main background color on NYU Langone logos online. Northwell's symbol features various colors in triangular, banner-like shapes.

NYU Langone said that Northwell was attempting to minimize "their brazen copying of NYU Langone’s distinctive and recognizable advertising — including fonts, layouts, and color schemes — to confuse patients, who deserve the best care and the best outcomes."

"NYU Langone has not come close to alleging a viable claim for trade dress infringement or unfair competition," according to Northwell's filing.

Northwell said their "Constellation" logo, which is copyright-protected, has used a variety of fonts and colors.

"NYU Langone does not own a trademark registration for any shade of purple for healthcare services," Northwell said in a statement. "Its case is based on cherry-picking certain pieces of Northwell advertising to make false claims, including an attack on our hospital’s week-long COVID-19 recognition of health care workers."

The NYU Langone spokesperson countered: "It’s no coincidence that this shameless mimicry began as NYU Langone substantially grew on Long Island, posing a perceived threat in the region."

Northern Westchester in Mount Kisco and Phelps Memorial in Sleepy Hollow joined Northwell Health in 2014, when it was still called the North Shore-LIJ Health System.