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SEPTEMBER 28, 2000

Southwest Airlines paid the Pueblo of Zia in New Mexico an undisclosed amount of money in exchange for using its sacred sun symbol on its new plane commemorating the state.

The tribe has sought protection for the symbol but no copyright protections exist for them. States, cities, and counties, however can protect their own symbols.

Last year, the Patent and Trademark Office held a hearing in New Mexico to discuss the issue. As a result, Southwest Airlines became aware of the issue and asked the tribe to use the symbol.

The tribe has asked the state to compensate them for the use of the symbol on the state flag and license plates. But the state says it won't do anything until the tribe sues.

Get the Story:
Airline First to Pay for Zia Use (The Albuquerque Journal 9/28)

Relevant Links:
Southwest Airlines - www.southwest.com
US Patent and Trademark Office - www.uspto.gov