Tulalip Tribes talks to Microsoft about unauthorized use of name

Thursday, July 21, 2011  

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington are in discussions with technology giant Microsoft to find out why their name was used without authorization on a social networking website.

"Tulalip" was used on Socl.com, parts of which were visible to the public for a short time last week. The site was quickly pulled but the tribe is looking for answers.

"Tribal officials are talking to people at Microsoft to determine the facts," spokesperson George White told The Everett Herald. "At this time, while those discussions are going on, we are not commenting."

One prominent tribal member, however, was eager to talk. State Rep. John McCoy (D) said the use of the name was illegal.

"I have no idea what our tribal officials plan to do, but technically these Microsoft employees infringed on the Tulalip name," McCoy told the paper.

Get the Story:
Tulalip Tribes unhappy with moniker Microsoft attached to its social media project (The Everett Herald 7/21)

Blog: Microsoft stealing Tulalip Tribes name for social networking (7/15)