Redskins Dealt Major Defeat In Battle Over Mascot

A detail view of a washington Redskins flag as logo during a week 5 NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Maryland on Monday, October 6, 2014. The Seahawks defeat... A detail view of a washington Redskins flag as logo during a week 5 NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Maryland on Monday, October 6, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Redskins 27-17. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm) MORE LESS
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A Virginia judge ordered Wednesday that the Washington Redskins’ trademark registrations be cancelled – the biggest legal defeat the team has suffered in its two-decade battle over its name.

The ruling ends a legal saga that began when the team filed a lawsuit to contest the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s decision to end the team’s trademark registration, including the red-faced mascot viewed as racially offensive to Native Americans.

A trademark appeals board later affirmed the decision to end the team’s registered holdings, saying the name is not legally protected because it is racially offensive, the Washington Post reported.

Jesse Witten, an attorney for the five Native Americans involved in the lawsuit against the team, called the ruling a “watershed event” and major victory in the Post.

A appeal from the Redskins is likely, and the cancellation won’t officially take effect until the end of the appeals process.

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Notable Replies

  1. The team’s owner could still do the right thing, and change the team’s name. Yes, indeedy, he could do that.

  2. Flag of Southern Treason coming down. Marriage equality. ACA survives another Supreme Court challenge. Now this. Bagger heads imploding all over the United States. Life is good!

  3. Avatar for tao tao says:

    This is a very appropriate time. The change is inevitable. Why not now?

    Have a contest or whatever. Get a new symbol. Sell lots of hats. Play football.

  4. I still think the NFL should give them an ultimatum- either change the mascot and name or have their mascot officially changed to Spuddy the Red Skinned Potato.

  5. Or force him to sell the team ala Donald Sterling.

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