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The Navajo Nation Sues Urban Outfitters
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 1, 2012
Modified Mar 1, 2012
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 1, 2012
Modified Mar 1, 2012
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The Navajo Nation is the latest group to file a lawsuit against Urban Outfitters. The move comes months after the tribe sent a cease and desist to the retailer demanding they pull the "Navajo" name from products. As Sasha Houston Brown, a Native American activist, wrote in her open letter to the store last Columbus Day, they sell what she believes to be "culturally offensive" items, like plastic dreamcatchers, artificial feather jewelry, and hyper sexualized clothing with faux tribal patterns. Amongst the items that are a part of their "Navajo collection" flasks and hipster panties.
Now MSNBC reports that a lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in U.S. District Court, alleging "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 suit states, "The fame or reputation of the Navajo name and marks is such that, when defendant uses the 'Navajo' and 'Navaho' marks with its goods and services, a connection with the Navajo Nation is falsely presumed." Susan Scafidi of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University, as well as New York-based fashion lawyer Joseph F. Murphy Jr., told MSNBC that the trademark infringement is clear.
Most recently the retailer has managed to offend the Irish, parents, and a number of designers who claimed the company stole their ideas. Do you think Dov Charney's new personal motto is, "Thank God for Urban Outfitters"? [via Jezebel]
Tagged
lawsuit
navajo
navajo nation
urban outfitters
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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