There are no paisans among these Patsys.
A long running legal feud between two famed Manhattan Italian eateries has reignited, with Patsy’s Pizzeria on First Ave and East 69th St accusing Patsy’s Italian Restaurant on West 56th Street of trademark infringement for using the name “Patsy’s of New York.”
Litigation between the two companies has dragged on for years, with the restaurant, where Frank Sinatra often dined, initially accusing the pizza joint of infringing on its trademark by using the Patsy’s name.
A federal appeals court eventually ruled each outlet had to use its full name.
Now Patsy’s Pizzeria, which has dozens of franchisees, claims the US Trademark office blocked it’s application to register the name “Patsy’s Pizzeria,” claiming confusion with the Italian restaurant’s “Patsy’s of New York” mark. It’s filed a new Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit against Patsy’s Italian Restaurant, seeking to cancel the “Patsy’s of New York” trademark.
Not again, says Patsy’s Italian Restaurant lawyer Norman Zivin when asked about the lawsuit.
“They have raised this same issue over and over again, and have been shot down every time,” he told The Post.
If the pizza place is having trademark difficulties, “it is problems of their own making,” insisted Zivin, who said his clients have used “Patsy’s of New York” for years.
Patsy’s Pizzeria says it needs to register the Patsy’s Pizzeria name in order to smooth the way for franchisees entering new markets.
Patsy’s Italian Restaurant, which draws celebs like Tony Danza, Michael Buble, Al Pacino and others, “is blocking our guy’s application at the trademark office,” attorney Paul Grandinetti, who represents the pizza makers, said, calling the restaurant’s renewal of the “Patsy’s of New York” trademark “petty.”
“All my guys want is to sell the best pizza in the world, including Italy,” he added.