According to a news report from newsday.com, “What’s the difference between Patsy’s in Manhattan and Patsy’s in Syosset? In a trial that began Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, the owners of the Manhattan restaurant claim that because patrons can’t tell the difference between the two by their name alone, the Long Island pizzeria is benefiting from the city restaurant’s reputation.”
Patsy’s Restaurant, located in Manhattan’s theater district, was founded in 1944 by Pasquale “Patsy” Scognamillo and touts Frank Sinatra as having been its most famous customer,” said the story. “Patsy’s Pizzeria opened on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset in 2006, having purchased the naming rights from a pizzeria in East Harlem that was founded in 1933 by Patsy Lancieri and now has six locations in Manhattan. Soon, it will be up to a jury to determine if the Long Island pizzeria has broken trademark infringement laws and caused damage to the Manhattan restaurant by using the same name.”
