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Navajo Suing Urban Outfitters

Tribe says its trademark is being violated

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 1, 2012 1:30 AM CST

(Newser) – The biggest Native American tribe in the US wants Urban Outfitters to stop using its name. The Navajo Nation has filed suit against the clothing chain, accusing it of trademark infringement and violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act with its sale of more than 20 products under the name "Navajo" and "Navaho," reports Reuters.

The suit says the tribe has been known as the Navajo since at least 1849, and the name was registered as a trademark in 1943. A company spokesman says the chain doesn't plan to alter its products. After the company was criticized last year for including underwear and whisky flasks in its Navajo line, a spokesman said the chain had no intention of changing its products. "The Native American-inspired trend, and, specifically, the term 'Navajo' have been cycling through fashion, fine art and design for the last few years," he told AP.

Items from Urban Outfitters' Navajo line are shown in Tempe, Arizona.
Items from Urban Outfitters' Navajo line are shown in Tempe, Arizona.   (AP Photo/Matt York)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 4 comments
Fondue
Mar 1, 2012 7:40 AM CST
So "cycling through fashion, fine art and design for the last few years" outweighs a trademark since 1943?
fractal
Mar 1, 2012 3:13 AM CST
The Navaho nation should have the right to define and label itself.  We took everything away from them but their name---now we want to exploit that?
 

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