Navajo Nation

New Mexico Business Weekly Related: Retailing & Restaurants Ryan Sharrow | Staff One of Urban Outfitters' T-shirts, the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, "bears a symbol that critics said resembles a Star of David patch that Jews in Nazi Europe were forced to wear during the Holocaust." The company is drawing heat over the apparel. In recent months, clothing sold by Urban Outfitters has offended the Navajo Nation and Irish-Americans. Now one of the company's T-shirts, the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, "bears a symbol that critics said resembles a Star of David patch that Jews in Nazi Europe were forced to wear

The Navajo Nation has filed a federal lawsuit against Urban Outfitters alleging that the retailer committed trademark infringement by marketing and selling products that use the American Indian tribe's marks and names without a licensing or vendor agreement.

Last month, Urban Outfitters drew threats of legal action from the Navajo Nation for advertising the "Navajo Hipster Panty." To avoid that potential liability, Urban Outfitters recently changed the names of all 21 of the products it had been calling "Navajo." But fellow retailer Forever 21 doesn't seem to share Urban Outfitters' concern. While a search for "Navajo" on its website turns up no results, a little digging reveals at least a half-dozen items that have the Navajo trademark in the title.

Something very interesting happened to Urban Outfitters' website: all 21 of the company's products that had been called "Navajo" vanished. At least at first glance. 

Urban Outfitters has been busy capitalizing on Native American culture with items such as the "Navajo Hipster Panty." Apparently, these types of products were enough to warrant a cease and desist letter. According to Sasha Houston Brown, Urban Outfitters has already received such a notice from the Navajo Nation Attorney General, who also doesn't seem too keen on things like a Navajo-print flask.