The University of Pennsylvania is suing financial consulting and investment firm Wharton Advisors Corp over the use of the name “Wharton.”
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania filed suit Tuesday in federal court against WAC, based in Mendham, N.J., for alleged trademark infringement and trademark dilution, among other counts. The suit claims that the company’s use of the name “is likely to create a false impression in the minds of consumers that WAC is affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by the University.”
It goes on to allege that WAC “intended to create an association with the University’s famous ‘WHARTON’ registered mark … to promote and sell its financial consulting services.”
A representative from WAC declined to comment on Thursday afternoon. The University also declined to comment as the litigation is pending.
The University filed another lawsuit earlier this year over the name “Wharton.” Penn sued consulting firm Wharton Business Foundation in late March and later settled. WBF’s former website — www.whartonbusinessfoundation.com — now redirects to www.socialmediatopteam.com.
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