Chelsea Vowel: Navajo Nation seeks to enforce its trademarks

Tuesday, March 6, 2012  

"The Navajo Nation has trademark ownership of the name ‘Navajo’, just like Urban Outfitters owns the trademark to its name. The Navajo Nation has the legal right to stop people from using its trademark to describe products that have not been approved.

Urban Outfitters responded with this back in October:

“Like many other fashion brands, we interpret trends and will continue to do so for years to come,” he said. “The Native American-inspired trend and specifically the term ‘Navajo’ have been cycling thru fashion, fine art and design for the last few years.”

This is true, but won’t save Urban Outfitters from being held accountable for their trademark infringement. “Everyone else does it” is not a legal defence.

But it could become one if the Navajo Nation does not enforce its rights."

Get the Story:
Chelsea Vowel: What’s In a Name, Urban Outfitters? (Indian Country Today 3/6)

Chelsea Vowel: Prescription abuse a problem for First Nations (3/5)