Sunday, June 22, 2014

US patent office cancels Redskins trademark registration, says name is disparaging

"The United States Patent and Trademark Office has canceled the Washington Redskins trademark registration, calling the football team's name 'disparaging to Native Americans.' The landmark case, which appeared before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, was filed on behalf of five Native Americans. It was the second time such a case was filed. ...

Federal trademark law does not permit registration of trademarks that 'may disparage' individuals or groups or 'bring them into contempt or disrepute.' The ruling pertains to six different trademarks associated with the team, each containing the word 'Redskin.'"

SOURCE



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that GEICO advertisements are disparaging to green lizards.

Anonymous said...

"Oklahoma" is Choctaw for "Red People". The debate is over.

Anonymous said...

With the trademark rights cancelled, I'd guess the Redskin Name and Logo are now Public Domain?
I expect there will be a veritable tsunami of Redskin merchandise being made, with no legal recourse for the former owners.
Ah! The Law of Unintended Consequences!

Anonymous said...

I know I'm showing my age here... to all this political correctness crap... whatever happen to: sticks and stones will break my bones BUT names will NEVER hurt me !!!

Anonymous said...

I know I'm showing my age here... to all this political correctness crap... whatever happen to: sticks and stones will break my bones BUT names will NEVER hurt me !!!

Anonymous said...

Are we now going to rename redskin peanuts and redskin potatoes also????

Stan B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stan B said...

12 trademarks less offensive than redskins

President Not Sure said...

The word Negro offends me. Because I know how fair and transparent this administration is and how they would go to the ends of the earth to make sure that all laws are equally enforced, I'll hold my breath and wait for the government to rescind the NAACP's trademark. On second thought, I better not..

President Not Sure said...

Stan B: That is so tru.. Even though they are fake, I could see the government signaling out Mo Fuggers Malt Liquor and Dickens Cider as companies the Redskins should be emulating..