Patent office rejects Washington Redskins’ trademark registration
Responding to a complaint by Native Americans, the office nixed the NFL team’s name as ‘disparaging.’ The franchise vows to appeal.
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.”
Despite the 2-1 ruling, team retains the name during an appeal, ESPN reports. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to change the team’s name, controversy or no, and the franchise plans to appeal. The organization tweeted a statement from its lawyer, trademark attorney Bob Raskopf:
Raskopf: Today’s ruling will have no effect at all on team’s ownership of and right to use the Redskins name & logo. pic.twitter.com/LF22aDlN62
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) June 18, 2014
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