He generally receives a call per day reportingpotential misuses of the Harvard name, he said.

He investigates each.

Through the Trademarks Directory Service inLondon, he also learns about companies around theworld trying to register use of the Harvardname--usually about one case per week.

In 95 percent of the cases, the offendingorganizations agree to drop the Harvard name afterreceiving a "well-written, strongly-writtencease-and-desist letter" from the University,Calixto said.

For the remainder, the decision about whetherto press charges depends on the extent and qualityof the trademark legislation in the country, aswell as the nature of the organization.

If the name is being used for educational,medical or legal purposes, Harvard will considersuing.

Connors said Harvard has "very good chances" ofsuccess in the current lawsuit because theUniversity has the sole rights to its name inCanada, as in the United States.

Although Harvard needs to sue only rarely,Calixto said the process is important to maintainthe integrity of the name.

"We've become extremely aggressive in the lastfew years," Calixto said.

"The University takes the protection of itsname very seriously...people are misled intobelieving that somehow these [independent]institutions are affiliated."

"[Companies using the Harvard name] pretend tobe something they are not," he added.

While this lawsuit sends an important messageabout Harvard's determination to protect its name,offenders are not going to disappear, Connorssaid.

"I don't think there are many people out therewho use the Harvard name innocently," Connorssaid.

The Canadian law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydonis helping the general counsel in court.

HNI could not be reached for comment yesterday.It is located in Brossard, Quebec