Navajo stand up against Urban Outfitters

Photo credit: Urban Outfitters website

I would like to say a few words on this lawsuit that continues into 2016.

Here I post a sample of the one such item (though there are several) of a flask sold buy this company. This particular item called a "Navajo" flask and is sold under this label. This company has produced other products such as underwear and various clothing items that not only appropriate the cultural imagery/ motifs of the Navajo Nation, but also use the term 'Navajo' to do so. 

In 2012 the Navajo tribe has sued the company to keep from using the term 'Navajo' in their products. Though many in American culture have made this lawsuit trivial, this topic is a serious issue. The Navajo Nation of people have been dealing with such issues since they (we) have been producing our tribal arts. This lawsuit in my opinion is a good move for the tribe, but also for other Indigenous tribal people in the Americas. This lawsuit tells those who are 'wannabes' and 'thieves,'  that the Indigenous cultural imagery and symbols and names are not for them or their use.

We Indigenous are stronger than ever in the 21st century, We will not be passive on issues of misappropriation or the theft of our cultural identity by American corporations.

I share the following article for your greater understanding.

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Urban Outfitters and the Navajo Nation Are Still Locked in a Legal Battle

story via Racked.com

ADELE CHAPIN Dec 30, 2015, 5:10p Back in 2012, the Navajo Nation filed a lawsuit against Urban Outfitters after Urban used the words "Navajo" and "Navaho" to describe printed underwear, flasks, jewelry, purses, and more. That legal battle is still going on, and last week, the Navajo Nation scored what The Fashion Law calls "an early victory" when a judge ruled that the tribe does have legal standing and can continue to pursue its claim under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

That act states that it's against the law to falsely claim that products are Native American-made. According to The Fashion Law, the Navajo Nation may also seek damages under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act for Urban's use of additional tribal names.

This is a blow for Urban Outfitters, BuzzFeed's Sapna Maheshwari writes, as the case could go to trial — although it's unclear how much money the Navajo Nation is seeking.

The main strategy for the Urban Outfitters legal defense team has been that shoppers don't associate the term Navajo with the Navajo Nation and that the word is more of a descriptor. BuzzFeed reports that the retailer's lawyers wrote in a court filing in 2012: "Just as the term ‘Light Beer’ is generic for a type of beer that is light in body or taste or low in alcoholic and caloric content, ‘Navajo’ is today a generic descriptor for a particular category of design and style."

Looks like that strategy isn't going to work. "Urban Outfitters is going to have to come up with another way to avoid paying a big penalty for its use of the Navajo Nation’s trademark and name," Law Street's Anneliese Mahoney writes.