May 29, 2007

Stewart wants to trademark chief

American Indians opposed to Martha Stewart's trademark attemptMartha Stewart's attempt to trademark "Katonah"--a move that has already riled some of her village neighbors--has now upset some American Indians because the name originally belonged to a 17th-century chief.

Two members of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation, which claims Chief Katonah as its own, have joined the anti-trademark battle being waged by the Katonah Village Improvement Society.

And other American Indian leaders on Tuesday said that Stewart's trademark application was offensive.

"If I wanted to trademark 'Martha Stewart' and put out a line of tea towels, she would have me in court very quickly," said Suzan Harjo, president of the Morning Star Institute, a national advocacy group. "She'd be saying, 'You can't use my name, that's valuable, that belongs to me."'
Commment:  See also the Brady Braves on Martha Stewart, Playing with "Indian" Names?

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