The state filed suit in Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County in response to a Feb. 18 letter from Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67, stating that Harvard "asserts rights to the use of its name by Harvard Pilgrim."

Wrinn said that the lawsuit came as a surprise to the University, which had hoped to enter a dialogue with the state on the issue.

State officials, however, said that the filing of the lawsuit does not preclude such a conversation with the University.

"We're open to any discussions the University cares to have on this matter," said Stephen M. Bilafer '88, a spokesperson for the state Attorney General's Office.

Grogan said the University would have more concern about the use of Harvard's name if the rehabilitation of HPHC--currently a nonprofit firm--makes it a for-profit company. However, he said that the University was not necessarily opposed to the use of the Harvard name in HPHC even if it does become for-profit.

Both Grogan and Wrinn said the University is particularly concerned about the possibility of HPHC entering into new lines of business or spinning off units unrelated to its current core business. Such new units could directly compete with an institution of the University.

Wrinn said that if Harvard does not assert the right to its name, there is the potential that it could have to ask HPHC for permission to use the Harvard name if it wanted to enter a field in competition to the plan.

According to Grogan, the University has special interest in the HPHC name because of the University's presence in various health fields. He added that this case differs from other industries--such as restaurants--in which the University is not involved and thus does not challenge the use of its name.