US Patent Office Rules Redskins Name Is Offensive, Cancels Trademarks

[pwaldo]

The key part of the ruling says that 30% of Native Americans find the name disparaging. The committee describes this as a "substantial composite" of Native Americans, which establishes that the name is offensive

Just 30%?

[sanfran22]

So the IRS, the NSA, the justice dept, now the patent office. Awesome!

[ajcorleone]

Yes you would think at least 50% or more would be offended.But I guess they have better things to worry about that a football team name.Just my guess

Just 30%?

[gsj68]

and just to play devils advocate,the issue here is a racial physical description for a name,correct?

http://www.blackfoot.org/default.php
http://www.omaha.lib.ne.us/transmiss.../flathead.html

and im sure there are more

[shrewsbury]

This is crap and I hope he fights it to the end. I cannot believe the NFL hasn't backed him.

[jlzinck]

HAHAHAHA. MSNBC warned their viewers that they were about to air the word "Redskins"....

[GroundSupport]

HAHAHAHA. MSNBC warned their viewers that they were about to air the word "Redskins"....

You can't be serious....

I swear these people are brain washed.

[Star_Cards]

I get the issue with the name Redskins and fall on the side of it needing to be changed. I think they could come up with a name that went along with their logo and rest of their graphics identity. I don't like that the government has taken it upon themselves to revoke a trademark on something that has been trademarked for decades. I'd expect this to be overturned once it hits the legal system. It's a slippery slope when the government gets involved in team name changes. If they want to do that where do they stop? I just don't see how they really have a say. I suppose they know they don't have a say but are just trying to force them to change by messing with their trademark. Seems like a backhanded why to go about getting the name changed. The NCAA did this years ago... I think in the 90's. They changed team mascot names for any team that may have been linked to native americans. The Seminoles had to fight to get around the ruling if I remember correctly. I think they got approval in writing from the Seminole tribe. I personally don't see any issue with any of the pro team names that have native american backgrounds other then Redskins. The other all seem to take a positive twist on their use. Although I'd think that the Cleveland Indians logo would be at least at the same level of offensiveness as the name Redskins.

[Wickabee]

They didn't just get approval from the Seminole tribe. The tribe was as proud to be associated with that school as anyone. If memory serves, they actually had representatives fighting with the school to keep the name. The thing is, it was a tribal name in honor of said tribe, not a derogatory term. Redskin is a derogatory term, AND lumps all tribes into the same group. I have the same problem with the Cleveland Indians, but don't think any government faction should be making this decision.

[duane1969]

I love how these Native Americans are so offended by the name "Redskins" but they take no offense at the Cleveland Indian logo which makes Native Americans look like doofus grinning morons. I think Snyder needs to give in to the empty-can movement and rename the team the "Washington Crybaby Liberals" since the only people who give a crap is a bunch of thin-skinned liberals who have nothing better to do with their pathetic lives than make a big deal over a small issue.