The Washington Redskins six trademark registrations have been cancelled by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The office reasoned that the registrations were “disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered.” Reviewed by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the decision was based on federal trademark law that prevents registration of trademarks that “may disparage” certain groups or individuals or “bring them into contempt or disrepute.”
“The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board agreed with our clients that the team’s name and trademarks disparage Native Americans. The Board ruled that the Trademark Office should never have registered these trademarks in the first place,” said Jesse Witten, the lead attorney for the plaintiff Amanda Blackhorse.
Blackhorse said in a statement, “It is a great victory for Native Americans and for all Americans. . . if people wouldn’t dare call a Native American a ‘redskin’ because they know it is offensive, how can an NFL football team have this name?”
In 1999, the Board cancelled the trademark protections granted to the team; however, on appeal a federal court reversed the decision on a technicality. Given the history, this case may also go before U.S. District Court on appeal.
While today’s decision does not prevent the team from using the name, without the federal trademark protections, it may affect the team’s merchandising business that uses the “Redskins” name on goods like T shirts and sweatshirts.
In Landmark Decision, U.S. Patent Office Cancels Trademark For Redskins Football Team
U.S. patent office cancels Redskins trademark registration, says name is disparaging