The Navajo Nation & Urban Outfitters, Inc. Announce a Settlement Agreement
Keller Rohrback announces a Settlement Agreement between its clients The Navajo Nation, Diné Development Corporation and Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprises, and Urban Outfitters, Inc.
November 21, 2016
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (Nasdaq:URBN), a leading lifestyle specialty retail company operating under the Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands, and The Navajo Nation, the largest Indian tribe by population and land holdings (the Nation is larger in size than 10 of the states in the union), announce the settlement of the dispute between them. Additionally, the parties entered into a supply and license agreement and plan to collaborate on authentic American Indian Jewelry in coming years.
“We are pleased we’ve reached an agreement with the Navajo Nation,” said Azeez Hayne, General Counsel, URBN. “We take the rights of artists and designers seriously, both in protecting our own and in respecting the rights of others. As a company URBN 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,” finished Mr. Hayne.
“We are a proud nation with talented artisans, scientists, lawyers and professionals who together represent the Navajo Nation,” said Russell Begaye, President of the Navajo Nation. “We believe in protecting our Nation, our artisans, designs, prayers and way of life. We applaud URBN for acknowledging the validity of the Navajo Nation trademark and are glad we have settled this matter. We expect that any company considering the use of the Navajo name, or our designs or motifs, will ask us for our permission. The Navajo Nation is proud of its strong history and welcomes working in collaboration with URBN and other retailers to highlight our unique culture,” finished President Begaye.
The settlement agreement resolves all claims concerning this matter, and the parties have agreed to enter a license and supply agreement. The terms of the settlement are confidential.
About the Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is the largest sovereign American Indian nation in the United States. The Nation has been known by the name “Navajo” since at least 1786. The Navajo Nation has continuously used the NAVAJO trademark in commerce and has used the NAVAJO trademark throughout the United States and internationally. The NAVAJO name and trademark is used in association with numerous products, including clothing, accessories, blankets, jewelry, foods, tools, decorations, crafts, gaming establishments, tourism, educational institutions, retail services, fairs and events, and a news publication. Since at least 1941, the Navajo Nation has marketed and retailed its goods using its NAVAJO trademark. “Navajo” has been a registered trademark since 1943, and is owned by the Navajo Nation.
About Urban Outfitters, Inc.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. is a portfolio of global consumer brands which offers a variety of lifestyle merchandise and consumer products to highly defined customer niches through 240 Urban Outfitters stores in the United States, Canada, and Europe, catalogs and websites; 220 Anthropologie Group stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, catalogs and websites; 121 Free People stores in the United States and Canada, catalogs and websites; Free People wholesale, which sells its product to approximately 1,800 specialty stores and select department stores worldwide; and 7 Vetri family restaurants, as of July 31, 2016.