Last week, the Navajo nation sued Urban Outfitters for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair competition, and a violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act for selling products branded as “Navajo” at its stores. The products? “Hipster Panties,” socks, and of all things, a flask. Yes, a flask. Complaint here.
The incredible un-coolness of that just stuns me. Urban Outfitters should know better than to use a Native American tribe’s name on its products without permission. But, to not only misappropriate the Navajo nation’s name, but to put it on a flask? Really? Really?
I’m certainly not the most politically correct guy, and I won’t be winning any sensitivity awards this year. But, you don’t need to be an anthropologist to have a clue about what a toll alcoholism has had on the Native American population. Urban Outfitters are a bunch of dicks. I hope the Navajos kick their ass.
