Popular but controversial Northern Territory guerrilla tourism brand "CU in the NT" will be banned from sale at two of the region's most iconic markets.

Key points: Darwin Council concluded that a by-law should be enforced, which has led to the "CU in the NT" brand banned from markets

Darwin Council concluded that a by-law should be enforced, which has led to the "CU in the NT" brand banned from markets Alderman Robin Knox says she has received a number of complaints from the public over the "sexist" slogan

Alderman Robin Knox says she has received a number of complaints from the public over the "sexist" slogan The team behind the CU in the NT brand says they have an "impeccable track record" of promoting the NT

Darwin Council on Tuesday night moved to enforce a by-law which will see the controversial brand banned from popular markets at Nightcliff and Mindil Beach.

The by-law states that the stallholders association, which manages stalls at both markets, should not sell products which could be deemed as offensive to the public.

Alderman Robin Knox led the charge against the brand, saying she and other council members had received a number of complaints from the public.

"We have movements against domestic violence, we had a magnificent turnout on International Women's Day," Ms Knox said.

"It's time we actually got rid of some of the sexist language and showed more respect for women in our society."

Alderman Justine Glover backed her stance, and said she felt highly offended by the use of language.

"Can the people in this room really tell me that [the letters] which I can't say out loud, is not offensive?" Ms Glover said.

The brand has been banned from Darwin's iconic sunset Mindil Markets. ( Supplied )

"And that we, the City of Darwin, shouldn't be standing up, lifting our moral compass and saying … there have been complaints, we should respond and we should remove this offensive material from our markets?"

Move met with fierce opposition

But Ms Knox's call was also met with fierce opposition from some council members, particularly Alderman Mick Palmer, who called into question the role of the town council.

"It is really our role to judge what people can and what they can't have in their stalls in markets?" Mr Palmer asked.

"We've taken it upon ourselves then to review anything else that comes up on stubby coolers.

"It's not uncommon for nude women on stubby coolers, or men indeed … any material that someone now takes offence to, and people these days are easily offended."

Mayor backs move to ban products

Despite expressing hesitance at banning the brand, Darwin's Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis backed the move to enact the by-law.

"That's the only concern I've got, where does it stop?" he said.

"If we start here it's a slippery slope, but personally I find it idiotic and offensive, it doesn't do much for the Territory."

On the vote, the council was split over the matter 6-6, but Mr Vatskalis pulled it over the line after a division was called.

Knock-offs 'tarnish brand's pristine image'

NT Official launched the "CU in the NT" slogan, along with the tagline: "The Top End. Different from the bottom end" on its website in 2016, to mixed reviews.

It now features on a range of souvenirs, both from the original, official merchandiser and other knock-off copies, which are sold at shops and market stalls.

The council debate has renewed conversation about the brand, with some supporting it, and others saying its use of profanity should not be placed near children.

The debate erupted after complaints were recently received about a Nightcliff Market stallholder selling "CU in the NT" products at the Sunday, family-oriented market in Darwin's northern suburbs.

At Tuesday's council meeting, Mr Vatskalis said he had received a private complaint regarding the matter.

"I received a personal call from a prominent Territorian who told me that he lodged a formal complaint with the Police Commissioner … about this particular stall," he said.

While the creators of the "CU in the NT" brand have managed to remain anonymous, a spokesman said they were unaffiliated with the market stallholder in question.

"We would like to set the record straight that ntunofficial.com has no association whatsoever with the Nightcliff market operator in question," a spokesman said.

"We actually welcome council shutting down anyone making cheap and nasty knock-offs, it tarnishes our pristine image and impeccable track record of promoting the Northern Territory to the world."