BOSTON — Harvard University sued to stop Harvard Bioscience Inc., a provider of drug-research tools, from using the university’s name in association with its company.
Harvard Bioscience, which was founded as Harvard Apparatus in 1901 by Dr. William T. Porter of the Harvard Medical School, used the name for almost 100 years seemingly without a problem. The Holliston, Massachusetts-based company changed its name to Harvard Bioscience as it prepared for an initial public offering in December. Harvard University objects to the company’s Web site, claiming that it uses the university’s distinctive crimson color and a similar typeface that appears on the institution’s Web site. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, also claims Harvard Bioscience is buying up certain domain names, such as Harvardbioscience.com, Harvardapparatus.com and Harvardbio.com.
