Navajo To Sue Urban Outfitters.

It seems that Urban Outfitters, with their Navajo Line of products are in violation of copyright laws and are stealing from the Navajo people.

finance.yahoo.com...

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -- The Navajo Nation has sued Urban Outfitters months after the tribe sent a cease and desist letter to the clothing retailer demanding it pull the "Navajo" name from its products.

The lawsuit filed late Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New Mexico alleges trademark violations and violations of the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act, which makes it illegal to sell arts or crafts in a way to falsely suggest they're made by American Indians when they're not.

The tribe has at least 10 registered trademarks on the Navajo name that cover clothing, footwear, online retail sales, household products and textiles. Tribal justice officials said they're intent on protecting what they believe are among the tribe's most valuable assets.

Urban Outfitters set off a firestorm of criticism last year with its line of Navajo-branded clothing and accessories — particularly underwear and a liquor flask, which the tribe said was "derogatory and scandalous," considering the sale and consumption of alcohol is banned on the reservation that spans parts of northeast Arizona, southeast Utah and northwest New Mexico. The company removed the products from its website after acknowledging receipt of the cease and desist letter.

The tribe licenses its name to other businesses in exchange for a share of their profits, and it has identified about two dozen companies it believes are violating the Navajo trademark.

The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation and an order permanently enjoining Urban Outfitters from using the name "Navajo" or variations of it on its products.

So what do you think? Does Urban Outfitters have a right to continue using the Navajo name or not?

Well why would they when they're breaking obvious trade mark violations, do you think urban outfitters would be able to sell their own coca cola line without permission?

reply to post by LittleBlackEagle


I hope UB gets slammed in a court of law for it. Maybe soon Urban Outfitters will be known as Navajo Outfitters. I At least hope that this kills UB's buisness or at least hits them hard where it counts. Haven't enough wrongs against the Native American people been committed already.

Urban outfitters should have known better. They could have gotten away with a name like Navajo Style. There are countless products named after American tribes. It will stop. I learned to drive in an Apache.

reply to post by usmc0311


UB has been sued before for this kind of thing. This is the store where you can go in and buy a pair of used jeans for over 30 bucks. It's utterly ridiculous. The owner is a really conservative Rick Santroum lover..who sells miniskirts and booty shorts to hipsters lol.
www.awakenedaesthetic.com...

reply to post by earthdude


It's a good example of the kind of people who are in charge these days. Sociopaths who only care about themselves no matter who their decisions may negatively effect. This world is just so out of balance.

reply to post by antonia


Thanks for the link. Some interesting info there. Behind every shady deal their is an even shadier carachter involved. It makes me sick to see some of the things people will do to enhance their own self interests these days.