Judge limits defense of clothing retailer in tribe’s lawsuit

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – A federal judge says the Navajo Nation can seek damages from a subsidiary of Urban Outfitters Inc.

The tribe filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the company and its subsidiaries in 2012.

Urban Outfitters claimed the tribe knew or should have known the “Navajo” name had been used in clothing, jewelry and other merchandise for years and delayed legal action.

U.S. District Judge Bruce Black sided against Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie in March. He applied the same decision this week to Free People LLC.

Court documents don’t quantify the amount the Navajo Nation could recover if it wins the lawsuit.

In a recent decision, Black says the Indian Arts and Crafts Act allows a minimum $1,000 a day for each type of good sold or on display for sale.