Posted on 02/29/2012 11:13:43 AM PST by Kartographer
The American Indian tribe Navajo Nation has sued Urban Outfitters months after the tribe sent a cease and desist letter to the clothing retailer demanding it pull the "Navajo" name from its products.
The lawsuit filed late Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New Mexico alleges 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Can I sue the White House, White Castle the makers of white lightning for using the term “White”? I’m white.
A reminder that Politically Correct Idiocy is alive and well.
Urban outfitters should reply: “How! Me thinkum you have brain of bushy tailed tree rat! Me thinkum peace pipe burial kemosabe, but much wampum and squaw needed!”
You can bet the US Government will back the Navajo nation to the hilt... right up until the moment that they allow some NCAA member university to use their name for a sports program. Then the government switches sides.
Can I sue the White House, White Castle the makers of white lightning for using the term “White”? I’m white.
Yes is you have copyrighted white.
Urban Outfitters has agreed to change the name to:
“Perpetually Offended Native Americans”
Trademarks are suppose to mean something. Usually name usage control, consent or not, and a share of the profits.
Sarah Palin would side with the Navaho Nation, for example, and in a hurry.
A few years ago I was in Sallisaw, Oklahoma and I stopped at a place called “The Indian Store”. They had a lot of neat indian merchandise. I spotted a 6 inch tall ceramic indian chief in full headress and I knew I just had to buy it for my son since he was into stuff like that. The store was really neat with a lot of leather goods and figurines galore. When I went to purchase the Indian Chief I ask the beautiful young Cherokee girl behind the counter if they really made that item and she assured me they did. I left the store with my $25.00 indian and I was very happy because I knew my son would be thrilled with it. After arriving back home I noticed that the chief had a sticker on the bottom that said “ made in China”. I should have looked closer when I bought it but if you can’t trust a pretty indian maiden who can you trust. Indians are hypocrites and half the junk they sell is made in China.
The great Navajo warriors and chiefs of 150 -200 years back would be really proud of these whiners.
NOT.
I'm part Indian...and I'm pretty fair in my thoughts and beliefs.
So are my kids....and many of my relatives.
FWIW-
I’ll pay attention to their claims when they file their lawsuit in the native Navaho alphabet.
Oh. That’s right. There isn’t one. That’s why they are using OURS.
Guess I won’t be painting my walls in Navajo White.
I believe “Navajo” was in common use long before anyone applied for a copyright. The law-maggots might not care and the Pharisees they work with will rule “no” but common use is fair use in any reasonable mind.
For those who know just a little about American Indian crafts in general and the Navajo expertise in weaving in particular, Urban Outfitters is profiting off a quality brand without authorization or even an attempt to link to authenticity by the Navajo Tribe.
Product field means everything as far as legality goes. If Urban Outfitters were peddling a brand of maple syrup and syrup candies under the name Navajo, there would be no problem because the Navajo are not known for their confection making and maple syrup growing skills.
However, since a major part of Urban Outfitters core business is clothing and apparel, a product for which the Navajo craftsmanship and quality are known, you indeed have a case here.
Urban Outfitters could have avoided the whole problem by licensing some designs from Navajo craftsmen or even the tribe. I don't see a way they can win this even if they prevail in court.
FWIW, the Navajo Tribe are not a bunch of knee-jerk liberals like many other Native American tribes. It would be nice if some Freepers did a little actual research before they went off throwing slime and racist stereotypes.
Nice to see that racism is alive and well on FR. My father was 1/4 Native American, my son’s girlfriend is 1/2 Chippewa and my best friend is 1/2 Chippewa as well. None of them are hypocrites.
You are a hypocrite if you own a Indian store and pass off merchandise as authentic. My grandmother was 100% Creek and I too try to be honest in all my dealings so I didn’t mean to insult all Indians...just store owners.lol
All those things were around before you and you didn't invent the color white.
The Navajo invented the name Navajo and they have a right to protect the value of their brand, particularly as they have a law backing them up. I think they have a good case.
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