New York: In April 2003, American Eagle outfitters in USA introduced flip-flops (sandals) with images of Lord Ganesha as one of their summer products.

This company operates about 750 American Eagle (AE) stores in the USA and Canada. AE is also listed at NASDAQ.

On April 27, 2003, IndiaCause (a group that represents Indians across the world) launched an informal protest. It also communicated its disappointment with the management and expected their response before a formal protest was launched.

On April 29, 2003, American Eagle management responded positively to the protest and faxed in their letter confirming, "Please accept this letter as our formal apology for our use of the image resembling the Lord Ganesh on this product." In his letter, Neil Bulman Jr (vice president and general counsel, AE) assured, "We will remove these flip-flop shoes from our stores…"

The apology is available at: www.indiacause.com/C18_AE_Ganesha.htm