The American Lung Association on Friday asked a judge to put its Northwest chapter out of business, in a dispute that began when the chapter gave its Seattle headquarters and $600,000 to a different, newly created charity.

At a hearing in King County Superior Court, Judge Regina Cahan made clear she didn't understand the chapter's rationale for giving away the building or the money. But she also called the national organization's attempt to deal with the matter "heavy-handed" and questioned whether it was entitled to the legal relief it sought.

"Aren't there other ways besides a preliminary injunction that would serve your means?" she asked the American Lung Association's lawyer.

The national organization asked Cahan for an injunction barring the American Lung Association of the Northwest from continuing to use the ALA name or logo. The national charity also wants control of the chapter's headquarters and financial assets in order to establish a new Northwest affiliate.

The Northwest chapter runs the charity's efforts in Idaho, Alaska and Washington, including teen anti-smoking efforts, support of indoor smoking bans, and fundraising bike rides and climbs of Mount Rainier.