FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A federal judge has cleared the way for the Navajo Nation to seek potentially millions of dollars in its 2012 lawsuit over Urban Outfitters’ use of the “Navajo” name.
U.S. District Judge Bruce Black ruled Thursday that the tribe didn’t unreasonably delay a trademark infringement challenge against the clothing retailer.
Urban Outfitters Inc. had claimed the tribe knew or should have known the name had been used in clothing, jewelry and other merchandise for years and delayed filing a lawsuit, prejudicing the company.
Black says there’s no evidence anyone legally associated with the tribe knew the retailer used its trademarks until June 2011.
The ruling applies to Urban Outfitters and one of its subsidiaries, Anthropologie. The judge held off on determining whether it applies to another subsidiary, Free People LLC.
