District Court Judge Upholds Trademark Trial And Appeal Board's Ruling Finding REDSKINS Disparaging

[redskinsfan]

Federal judge orders cancellation of Redskins trademark registrations - The Washington Post

United States District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee today upheld a ruling by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, which found that the name REDSKINS is disparaging. Despite the ruling, there should be little to celebrate for those on the 'winning' side. First, the decision doesn't take effect until the REDSKINS exhaust all their rights to seek review of the decision, one of which will be an appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. That court is considered the most conservative appeals court in the nation. Second, the decision technically doesn't strip the REDSKINS of their trademarks themselves. Instead, it simply cancels their registrations with the TTAB. That means the Redskins can continue to use their trademarks (e.g., their logos) and still prosecute infringement of them under state law.

In view of all this, the decision hands Angela Blackhorse and her merry band of yo-yos, at most, a symbolic victory. Even if things stopped right here, the REDSKINS really haven't legally lost anything. And, of course, plenty of things can still go wrong for her, not the least of which is a reversal on appeal. In addition, if a Republican President is elected in 2016 -- we can only hope -- he or she can appoint new members to the TTAB. Those members can, in turn, follow the proper steps in reversing the current TTAB's adverse ruling regarding the REDSKINS trademark.

So, no need to worry. The next step will be an appeal to the Fourth Circuit, which is populated by a lot of Red State judges. Let Angela have her brief day in the sun. It may her only day in it.

Hail To The REDSKINS!

 

[skinsdad62]

i wasnt

 

[Carnzo]

HAIL!

 

[Caliskinsfan]

STATEMENT FROM BRUCE ALLEN

I am surprised by the judge's decision to prevent us from presenting our evidence in an open trial. We look forward to winning on appeal after a fair and impartial review of the case. We are convinced that we will win because the facts and the law are on the side of our franchise that has proudly used the name Redskins for more than 80 years.

 

[redskinsfan]

Bruce Allen shouldn't be too surprised at this decision. If the Fourth Circuit affirms the District Court's decision, that would be an eye-opener. In the meantime, Bruce and Dan better let seasoned PR people do the talking for the REDSKINS on this issue (and any others). Perhaps the biggest "ally" for the name-change proponents has been Danny himself.

 

[Hbomb]

Hail to the Redskins!!

 

[Buffalo_Nickel_1]

too the people who want the named changed put a tampon in your fucking pussies and fuck off you stupeid motherfuckers

 

[Neb4life]

Maybe I should go after the Dallas Cowboys ?
ALEXANDRIA, Va – For the first time in a legal battle that has stretched over 20 years, a federal judge on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of the Washington Redskins' trademark registration, ruling that the team name may be disparaging to Native Americans.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

The name is disparaging to Native Americans. I don't want to get into an argument with the entire board, obviously the majority of fans don't want it changed. But I really don't understand how people can not see that it is a slur. Just because many NAs don't want it changed does not mean the huge number that feel offended should be dismissed.

That is all.

 

[j_y19]

It's a name. A descriptor. It can only be disparaging in the intent. How do you know that a huge number find it disparaging? In fact, given the significant number of NA high schools that use the name for their teams, the facts seem to disagree with you.

 

[skinsdad62]

The name is disparaging to Native Americans. I don't want to get into an argument with the entire board, obviously the majority of fans don't want it changed. But I really don't understand how people can not see that it is a slur. Just because many NAs don't want it changed does not mean the huge number that feel offended should be dismissed.

That is all.

polls of indians say it isnt

 

[Buffalo_Nickel_1]

there just using libral demcrats indians why in the hell nobody in the main stream media talk about all the high schools on indian res mascot is the redskins this judge made his decision on his belief not by law

 

[Smart]

The name is disparaging to Native Americans. I don't want to get into an argument with the entire board, obviously the majority of fans don't want it changed. But I really don't understand how people can not see that it is a slur. Just because many NAs don't want it changed does not mean the huge number that feel offended should be dismissed.

That is all.

You don't know what disparaging means as a legal term of art. Disparaging means it was offensive to Native Americans AT THE TIME THE TRADEMARK WAS GRANTED. It simply isn't the case here. No one raised a challenge to it for decades. All evidence shows that "Redskins" was used simply as one would say "Native Americans" today- to describe a group of people. Sure, some of that featured latent racism, but the racism was against the people, not inherent in term.

The best evidence in this case, as described above, is that Native American high schools used "Indians" and "Redskins" as mascots at the time the trademark was granted. There simply isn't a viable case for the Redskins trademark being cancelled despite what a biased, leftist judge says. This will not hold.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

As I said some NA's do not find it offensive but some do. A lot do. I'm just not ready to throw those feelings out the window.

Just because "no one raised a challenge to it for decades" does not mean it's not offensive to them now. We've heard, and dismissed, their complaints since 1991. Pretty safe bet they were upset about the name long before then.

Frankly I"m not sure how you can argue that Redskins is in fact a disparaging name. Just because you and many NAs do not feel it is offensive does not mean it's not to other NAs. Pretty sure they, not you, have the right to decide that for themselves.

 

[Sharkinva]

As I said some NA's do not find it offensive but some do. A lot do. I'm just not ready to throw those feelings out the window.

Just because "no one raised a challenge to it for decades" does not mean it's not offensive to them now. We've heard, and dismissed, their complaints since 1991. Pretty safe bet they were upset about the name long before then.

Frankly I"m not sure how you can argue that Redskins is in fact a disparaging name. Just because you and many NAs do not feel it is offensive does not mean it's not to other NAs. Pretty sure they, not you, have the right to decide that for themselves.

NO one is saying they dont have the right to find the name offensive. But look at it from the flip side... if i am offended by the shirt you happen to wear to work every Friday because I think Iron Maiden ( the device, not the band)promoted torture 300 years ago. Do I have a right to FORCE you to not wear the shirt if it is not in violation of dress code?? More to the point do I have the right to try and FORCE a dress code that only affects a small portion of the work force but may also upset a larger portion if put into place?? Basically what this name thing comes down to is on group ( Change the name) trying to tell every one else what a word means... to them. YOu also do realize that the people pushing this law suit dont only want the Redskins name changed right?? What they are really shooting for is to have every native american themed team name or mascot deemed as racially insensitive aka racist. This is what you would call a watershed case, because if they manage to get the federal government to officially declare the name and the logo as racist material, they arent just after the name. They want to lay the foundation for an all encompassing class action suit some where down the road.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Like I said I don't feel like taking on the entire board on this topic. I understand your position, I held if for a long time too. But I just feel that there are a lot of NAs who feel the name Redskins is a slur because, unlike an Iron Maiden tee shirt, it is describing a group of people by their physical appearance and that is always a dangerous road to take. I'm just not convinced those pushing for the changes are liberal white folks who are telling the NAs that they should be offended. A lot of NAs are really offended and I can certainly understand why.

 

[j_y19]

Like I said I don't feel like taking on the entire board on this topic. I understand your position, I held if for a long time too. But I just feel that there are a lot of NAs who feel the name Redskins is a slur because, unlike an Iron Maiden tee shirt, it is describing a group of people by their physical appearance and that is always a dangerous road to take. I'm just not convinced those pushing for the changes are liberal white folks who are telling the NAs that they should be offended. A lot of NAs are really offended and I can certainly understand why.

I'll ask again. Where are you getting your info that a lot of NAs are offended? But maybe you answered. Above you said you feel that there are a lot. What you don't say, but mean, is that you feel that they SHOULD be offended. You are falling right in line with that liberal white folks group that you say isn't pushing for the change.

In fact, there have been numerous polls of the NA community on this exact topic. Everyone poll has come back with the vast majority saying they did not find the name offensive. Moreover, as I pointed out above, there are over 100 high schools in NA communities across this country that have proudly adopted the Redskins as their mascot. Now if they really found the name offensive, wouldn't they start the change in their own back yard? There is just no evidence of the name Redskins as being offensive to the NA community.

What this is really about is two things. Money and perceived political correctness. There are a handful of people, some NA and some not, that see dollar signs if they can get the courts to agree. Then there are the PC crowd that have become so gun shy that they are willing to forgo their first amendment rights, and yours too, as an over correction from actual historical wrongs.

I've always maintained this position. If the NA community does find the name disparaging, then it should be changed. But it's up to that group in total to decide this and act upon it. It's not for some "liberal white folk" to decide for them because it makes them feel better.

 

[skinsdad62]

i have made my feelings known above and DFG you are falling into that PC propaganda line of thinking . i am tired of the thought police and the oppressors gaining a foothold in everything .

and i am offended by the term "native american " like i dont have a right to be here . there is evidence now that concludes that the american indians actually came from europe and not asia. as previously thought .

i was born in america , i fought for america , and i am as native as anyone to this land . PERIOD

now should i be allowed to force my beliefs on you ? even though i bet my view is a minority viewpoint ?

then my next question would be why should i have to tolerate that from anyone else ?

and i want my EFFen govt to solve real problems and not make believe one's

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I'm not falling for anything. I remember before our Super Bowl in 1991 hearing for the first time from a NA chief who was leading a protest and thinking "wow, never thought about that before but I can certainly see their point".

As for the high school and polls we all get the numbers. Something does not have to be agreed upon by everyone to be considered problematic. I see quotes like this one below and sorry, impossible for me to dismiss this sentiment. Even though it's the minority opinion within the NA community it still exists in large numbers. And again if you answer in a poll that the name is not offense you may be on the fence, probably not tied to the answer emotionally one way or another. Just not that big of a deal either way. But those answering that they are offended have a much stronger opinion. They are much more effected by the name then the guy on the fence. They feel much more strongly when they check "offensive" than the guy who is saying basically "meh, I'm not worried about it". So IMO his vote should count more than the guy who really doesn't care about it one way or the other but still counts the same on the poll.

"It's a dictionary-defined offensive term," Ray Halbritter, a prominent leader of the Oneida Indian Nation, told Agence France-Presse. "Washington's team name is a painful epitaph that was used against my people, Indian people, when we were held at gunpoint and thrown off our land

 

[j_y19]

I'm not falling for anything. I remember before our Super Bowl in 1991 hearing for the first time from a NA chief who was leading a protest and thinking "wow, never thought about that before but I can certainly see their point".

As for the high school and polls we all get the numbers. Something does not have to be agreed upon by everyone to be considered problematic. I see quotes like this one below and sorry, impossible for me to dismiss this sentiment. Even though it's the minority opinion within the NA community it still exists in large numbers. And again if you answer in a poll that the name is not offense you may be on the fence, probably not tied to the answer emotionally one way or another. Just not that big of a deal either way. But those answering that they are offended have a much stronger opinion. They are much more effected by the name then the guy on the fence. They feel much more strongly when they check "offensive" than the guy who is saying basically "meh, I'm not worried about it". So IMO his vote should count more than the guy who really doesn't care about it one way or the other but still counts the same on the poll.

"It's a dictionary-defined offensive term," Ray Halbritter, a prominent leader of the Oneida Indian Nation, told Agence France-Presse. "Washington's team name is a painful epitaph that was used against my people, Indian people, when we were held at gunpoint and thrown off our land

DGF, you really need to do some research on Halbritter. He is a top notch slime ball that is the main one looking for the dollars. He screwed his own people in building a casino on their land and, basically, locking the Nation out. He has made numerous deals that has padded his wallet at the expense of the rest of his people. He has been run out of the Oneinda Nation and is now not recognized as a member my most other Members. Any quote that comes from him can only be considered trash.