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The Washington Redskins trademark registration was cancelled on Wednesday by the US Patent and Trademark Office, because its name and logo are considered disparaging. The 99-page decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board removes Redskins protection against infringement, but it does not force the team to change its name. The decision also does not stop the football team from selling merchandise and protecting its name and logo itself.
The case was filed by a group of Native Americans, who together with lawmakers, former players, and others have petitioned the team to change its name. Jesse Witten, an attorney for the Native American group, referred to the decision as a “long time coming.” Native Americans filed and won a similar case in 1992, but it was later dismissed.
Robert Raskopf, Redskins’ lawyer, said, “We’ve seen this story before, and just like last time, today’s ruling will have no effect at all on the team’s ownership of and right to use the Redskins name and logo,” adding that the team plans to file an appeal.
Source: The Washington Post.
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