Granogi Tourism Company Exploiting the Hopi!?

[cowlishaw]

Hey Folks,

I'm Nate Cowlishaw and the founder of the Utah UFO Fest in Utah. I used to come here regularly back in 06 and 07...

I stumbled across this company using what looks (to me) like a sacred Hopi symbol and something that belongs to the Hopi tribe and being taken out of context by this company called Granogi who has the symbol trademarked and reserved or at least that's behind implied in the branding. I've already stated my displeasure to the company on Twitter and first noticed this on Google. They are a touring outfit peddling trips to Havasupai. It's great that they are supporting to Havasupai's economy but not so great that they are trying to trademark a cultural symbol that should be protected by the Hopi from cultural theft!

The symbol is being used on their Instagram page in the profile: https://www.instagram.com/granogi/
and on their website in the branding: https://www.granogi.com

What are your thoughts!?

A few references directly linked to the company:



Nate

[cowlishaw]

I just posted this to Instagram: Dear Granogi.com (@granogi) - as much as I am glad you are supporting be #Havasupai tribe economically with your tours to #Supai - I’m appalled by your use of a Hopi cultural symbol in your branding for Granogi. It wouldn’t be so crazy if you weren’t trying to trademark it or reserve it as a brand? I think the #Hopi and the #HopiTribe need to be given the heads up about this and they are deep historical friends with the #Havasupai and #Hualapai tribes. I don’t usually post about things like this unless they are truly concerning! I don’t feel it is okay that you guys are using this intellectual property belonging to the Hopi Tribe in your branding and I’m pointing out the obvious! Did Granogi (the owners) ask permission of the Hopi to use this cultural symbol which is the same symbol prominently used by the Hopi!? Would they be okay with Granogi branding it and trying to trademark it as part of their efforts to make a profit!? I don’t think so...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeLexZCA9hb/

[cowlishaw]

Wrong link - It's this one: https://www.instagram.com/p/BeLgNTqgx7Z/?taken-by=talking_tree

[Piff]

Here is info on their trademark:

Word Mark   GRANOGI
Goods and Services   IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Online retail store services featuring athletic, yoga, and outdoor apparel and equipment. FIRST USE: 20160714. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20160714
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Arranging and conducting guided hiking and yoga tours. FIRST USE: 20160714. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20160714

Standard Characters Claimed   
Mark Drawing Code   (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number   87105935
Filing Date   July 15, 2016
Current Basis   1A
Original Filing Basis   1A
Published for Opposition   January 3, 2017
Registration Number   5164672
Registration Date   March 21, 2017
Owner   (REGISTRANT) Granogi, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY UTAH 490 Lakeview Dr Lehi UTAH 84043
Attorney of Record   Nicole M. Deforge
Type of Mark   SERVICE MARK
Register   PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator   LIVE
---------------------------------------------
Code   (2) DESIGN ONLY
Design Search Code   26.01.20 - Circles within a circle
26.01.21 - Circles that are totally or partially shaded.
26.01.31 - Circles - five or more; Five or more circles
26.05.13 - Triangles, exactly two triangles; Two triangles
26.05.25 - Triangles with one or more curved sides
Serial Number   87108122
Filing Date   July 19, 2016
Current Basis   1A
Original Filing Basis   1A
Published for Opposition   January 3, 2017
Registration Number   5164744
Registration Date   March 21, 2017
Owner   (REGISTRANT) Granogi, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY UTAH 490 Lakeview Dr Lehi UTAH 84043
Attorney of Record   Nicole M. Deforge
Description of Mark   Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of a shaded circle design; within the shaded circle appears two triangles, each having a rounded side and facing opposite one another, which roughly divides the circle into quadrants; a small shaded circle appears within each of the two triangles; a small circle appears in each of the two quadrants adjacent the triangles.
Type of Mark   SERVICE MARK
Register   PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator   LIVE

(search here http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=tess&state=4809:x8yy9u.3.1 )

[Piff]

Corporation info:

GRANOGI, LLC
Update this Business
Entity Number: 9869016-0160
Company Type: LLC - Domestic
Address: 955 N 1300 W STE 10 #175 ST GEORGE, UT 84770
State of Origin:
Registered Agent: Eric Paul Baird
Registered Agent Address:
490 Lakeview Dr
Lehi, UT 84043

Registration Date: 07/12/2016
Last Renewed: 08/15/2017

Additional Information
NAICS Code: 7139 NAICS Title: 7139-Other Amusement and Recreation Indu

Doing Business As
TIGABO

----------------------

Tigabo http://tigabosupai.com/team-members.html


Entity Number: 9723993-0151
Company Type: DBA
Address: 490 Lakeview Dr Lehi, UT 84043
State of Origin:
Registered Agent: ERIC P BAIRD
Registered Agent Address:
490 LAKEVIEW DR
Lehi, UT 84043

Registration Date: 03/07/2016
NAICS Code: 5511 NAICS Title: 5511-Management of Companies and Enterpr

(utah search https://secure.utah.gov/bes/ )

[Piff]

I don't know anything about the specific design in question. But here is the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office http://www8.nau.edu/hcpo-p/intellectPropRights.html

[cowlishaw]

I added the Hopi Cultural Definition and page to the Instagram post! Thank you Piff... It looks like Instagram is censoring my engagement as a result of the post.

[Piff]

Granogi is a licensed guide with the Supai Tribe and we have built a great relationship with the tribe.

https://www.granogi.com/faq

Where does the word Granogi come from?
Granogi is the combination of Granola or someone who loves the outdoors and a yogi.

https://www.granogi.com/faq

Their symbol looks like they took a Hopi symbol and mixed with their version of yin / yang.

[Piff]

Official Havasupai Tribe website http://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/

[Piff]

Attached is a symbol from here http://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/Supai-Maps/Havasupai-Trailmap/havasupai-trailmap.html

So I was incorrect with earlier design idea. Apologies for my error.

cowlishaw , I think the people to talk with would be http://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/About-Supai/about-supai.html

[cowlishaw]

Granogi is a licensed guide with the Supai Tribe and we have built a great relationship with the tribe.

https://www.granogi.com/faq

Where does the word Granogi come from?
Granogi is the combination of Granola or someone who loves the outdoors and a yogi.

https://www.granogi.com/faq

Their symbol looks like they took a Hopi symbol and mixed with their version of yin / yang.

Regardless it still looks like they derived it from the Hopi and it's irrefutable that it originates from Hopi and probably without permission. As you stated also; it's a mixing of cultures. These guys are obviously making a sizable profit off of the Havasupai tours which from first glance of investigating their website is around $700 dollars for 3-4 days in the canyon per-person. It's not that much if you do down on your own - So they are profiting from the exploitation of this logo from the observation of it.

[cowlishaw]

Attached is a symbol from here http://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/Supai-Maps/Havasupai-Trailmap/havasupai-trailmap.html

So I was incorrect with earlier design idea. Apologies for my error.

cowlishaw , I think the people to talk with would be http://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/About-Supai/about-supai.html

You may be correct, possibly? But this is a Hopi symbol and I think they're input would be important in this matter. I will still call the Hopi tribe on Monday to see if I can find the right authority to weigh in on the matter. The Hopi and Havasupai tribe have a strong historical friendship and the ties behind their communities go back a long ways...