Posted on 10/13/2011 7:47:34 PM PDT by smokingfrog
It was Urban Outfitters’ Navajo “hipster panty” and drinking flask that really humiliated Native American Sasha Houston Brown.
On Wednesday, she found out she had the Navajo Nation, among the largest native tribes in the United States, behind her fight.
Brian Lewis, attorney for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, told the Star the band was discussing how to deal with the trendy clothing company.
The Navajo Nation holds 12 patents on designs and styles that can carry its name.
Urban Outfitters’ Red Navajo Plimsoll Sneaker and Navajo Wool Tote Bag are not among them.
“You have created cheap knock-off trinkets made in factories overseas,” Houston Brown wrote in an impassioned open letter to mark Columbus Day, the Oct. 12 U.S. holiday commemorating an Italian flying the Spanish flag who “discovered” the Americas but thought he was in India.
“It was tacky and distasteful. I was so humiliated and so upset,” she told the Star.
Urban Outfitters wasn’t backing down, although Houston Brown’s suddenly high-profile letter had just scratched open a wound. Back in June, the Navajo Nation had sent the company a “cease and desist” order about the 20 items in its “Navajo” line.
“Consumers will incorrectly believe that the Nation has licensed, approved, or authorized your corporation’s use of the Navajo name and trademarks for its products or that your corporation’s use of Navajo is an extension of the Nation’s family of trademarks,” the native band warned Urban Outfitters.
(Excerpt) Read more at thestar.com ...
Ya-eh Teh
Ya-eh Teh
“Native American Sasha Houston Brown”
WTF kind on a native American name is that? Sounds like a welfare queen from the Bronx.
some panties and a flask please!
I would feel ridiculous wearing anything with a dsigner name on it as I would anything with the name “Navajo” on it.
“Well, you can see he wants it now. We all know it’s a soldier hat. We all know who wears it. If you want to keep it, that’s fine. But give something for it.” - Wind In His Hair in Dances With Wolves.
As with Rolex and Champagne, I’ll agree with the Navajo on this one.
Yes, you’re right!
I guess the question is whether the Navajos can trademark the word Navajo. Can France trademark the word French?
I don’t blame the Navajo for playing hardball if some bloomin’ foreign overseas factories are, in effect, counterfeiting their merchandise.
The article was a bit confusing. It sounded like the Navajo Nation produces a line of similar items. If that is the case, then I would think it should be a trademark violation.
If they are just mad that someone is stamping “Navajo” on some undies with an Indian-style pattern - I’m not so sure. Should I be mad and sue because of that company called “American Eagle”?
Illegal panties eh? Many of us have always thought that should be the case.
About as much of a Native American name as Chief Ben Shelly, Thomas Cole, Jacobus Thorpe, John Chavis, Carlos Norris, Kelvin Sampson etc.
A lot of them have English, Irish, or Scottish last names either due to mixed blood or Anglicized names.
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