Urban Outfitters settles trademark lawsuit with the Navajo Nation

London -Urban Outfitters has reached a settlement in the million-dollar trademark infringement lawsuit launched by the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American tribe, against the U.S fashion retailer.

The trademark lawsuit, which dates back to 2012, saw Navajo leader claim the apparel retailer has infringed on the tribe’s trademark rights by creating and selling over 20 different lines of products under the names “Navajo” and “Navaho.” The apparel company claimed that the Navajo Nation should have been aware that the name had been used on many of its products, including underwear and jewellery, as Urban Outfitters has used the name since 2001, but a federal judge dismissed the motion in April 2016, according to the Farmington Daily Times.

Terms of the settlement, which was announced last week by the Navajo Nation Office, remain confidential, as court records show a federal judge formally dismissed the case last Monday. Both parties agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice, which makes the decision binding and will pay for their own expenses and attorney fees. “We applaud [Urban Outfitters] for acknowledging the validity of the Navajo Nation trademark and are glad we have settled this matter,” said Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye in a statement.

“We believe in protecting our Nation, our artisans, designs, prayers and way of life. We expect that any company considering the use of the Navajo name, or our designs or motifs, will ask us for our permission." However, now that the lawsuit is settled, the two parties have entered into a “supply and license agreement”, which will see the Navajo Nation and Urban Outfitters work together to create authentic Native American jewellery over the next coming years.

“We are pleased we’ve reached an agreement with the Navajo Nation,” said Urban Outfitters general counsel Azeez Hayne in a statement. “We take the rights of artists and designers seriously, both in protecting our own and in respecting the rights of others. As a company [Urban Outfitters] has long been inspired by the style of Navajo and other American Indian artists and looks forward to the opportunity to work with them on future collaborations,” he added.

Photo: Urban Outfitters, Facebook