Navajo Nation battles in court over sale of 'Navajo' products

The Navajo Nation is continuing its lawsuit against retailer Urban Outfitters over the sale of "Navajo" items.

The tribe asked Urban Outfitters back in June 2011 to stop selling items labeled "Navajo" or "Navaho." But the company didn't change the names of the products on its website until Native bloggers publicized the issue later that fall.

The tribe, however, says Urban Outfitters continued to offer the same items at physical locations. That led to the filing of a lawsuit in federal court in February 2012.

"The Navajo Nation alleges that it and its members have been known by the name “Navajo” since at least 1849, have continuously used the NAVAJO trademark in commerce, and have made the NAVAJO name and trademarks famous with numerous products, including, among other things, clothing, accessories, blankets, jewelry, foods, tools, decorations, crafts, and retail services," Judge LeRoy Hansen noted in a recent decision.

Get the Story:
Navajo Nation lawsuit against Urban Outfitters still in play (The Farmington Daily Times 4/2)

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