Patent Office Rules Against Football Team on Racist Name

Stephen Quillen

As controversy mounts regarding the Washington football team’s use of the term “redskin,” the United States Patent and Trademark Office ruled on Wednesday to cancel the franchise’s trademark registration. While the decision does not force the team to abandon its title, it does place restrictions on how the franchise may profit from the name and logo, given that others can now use them on unofficial merchandise. According to the Washington Post: 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 increasing pressure from politicians, Native American advocacy groups and NFL players, team owner Dan Snyder has continually refused to change the name. Still, the court’s decision marks considerable progress in pushing for a name change—as Neil Irwin notes at the New York Times, "It's hard to view the new ruling as anything other than the beginning of the end of the name."

Please consider supporting our work.

I hope you found this article important. Before you leave, I want to ask you to consider supporting our work with a donation. In These Times needs readers like you to help sustain our mission. We don’t depend on—or want—corporate advertising or deep-pocketed billionaires to fund our journalism. We’re supported by you, the reader, so we can focus on covering the issues that matter most to the progressive movement without fear or compromise.

Our work isn’t hidden behind a paywall because of people like you who support our journalism. We want to keep it that way. If you value the work we do and the movements we cover, please consider donating to In These Times.

Stephen Quillenis a Summer 2014 intern at In These Times.
Illustrated cover of Gaza issue. Illustration shows an illustrated representation of Gaza, sohwing crowded buildings surrounded by a wall on three sides. Above the buildings is the sun, with light shining down. Above the sun is a white bird. Text below the city says: All Eyes on Gaza
Get 10 issues for $19.95

Subscribe to the print magazine.