This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/federal-judge-rules-against-disparaging-redskins-trademark-10376530.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Federal judge rules against 'disparaging' Redskins trademark Federal judge rules against 'disparaging' Redskins trademark
(6 months later)
A federal judge has agreed that the Washington Redskins should lose legal protection of their team name became the term is “disparaging” to Native Americans.A federal judge has agreed that the Washington Redskins should lose legal protection of their team name became the term is “disparaging” to Native Americans.
US District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee affirmed a prior ruling stripping the club of all legal protections to use the name. The decision was made after activists filed a petition to the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board describing the team name as offensive toward Native Americans.US District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee affirmed a prior ruling stripping the club of all legal protections to use the name. The decision was made after activists filed a petition to the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board describing the team name as offensive toward Native Americans.
“We decide, based on the evidence properly before us, that these registrations must be cancelled because they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered,” the board wrote in its 18 June 2014 opinion.“We decide, based on the evidence properly before us, that these registrations must be cancelled because they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered,” the board wrote in its 18 June 2014 opinion.
Native Americans protest the Washington Redskins name prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2014.
Bruce Allen, the team’s president, issued a statement saying the team will now appeal the ruling.Bruce Allen, the team’s president, issued a statement saying the team will now appeal the ruling.
"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.”"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.”
The Redskins filed suit against five Native American activists after the group convinced the court to rule against the NFL team name in 2014.The Redskins filed suit against five Native American activists after the group convinced the court to rule against the NFL team name in 2014.
Blackhorse, one of the activists who lives on a Navajo reservation in Arizona, told the Post that the ruling has a long-lasting impact on the perception of Native Americans.Blackhorse, one of the activists who lives on a Navajo reservation in Arizona, told the Post that the ruling has a long-lasting impact on the perception of Native Americans.
“This case is about humanizing the indigenous identity. I have asked this many times before and have never heard a sensible answer — 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?”“This case is about humanizing the indigenous identity. I have asked this many times before and have never heard a sensible answer — 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?”
Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder watches the New England Patriots play the Washington Redskins during the NFL preseason in 2014.
The club has fought to defend their trademark since 1992, which has remained under fire by activists in the years since. Mr Lee said that the team remains free to use the name on merchandise but loses all legal protection. However, the ruling will remain effective until the appeals process has concluded.The club has fought to defend their trademark since 1992, which has remained under fire by activists in the years since. Mr Lee said that the team remains free to use the name on merchandise but loses all legal protection. However, the ruling will remain effective until the appeals process has concluded.
Daniel Snyder, the Redskins team owner, vowed in 2014 that the team's logo would never be changed. He then told ESPN that the name celebrates and honours Native Americans.Daniel Snyder, the Redskins team owner, vowed in 2014 that the team's logo would never be changed. He then told ESPN that the name celebrates and honours Native Americans.
"A Redskin is a football player. A Redskin is our fans. The Washington Redskins fan base represents honor, represents respect, represents pride. Hopefully winning. And it's a positive. Taken out of context, you can take things out of context all over the place. But in this particular case, it is what it is. It's very obvious.""A Redskin is a football player. A Redskin is our fans. The Washington Redskins fan base represents honor, represents respect, represents pride. Hopefully winning. And it's a positive. Taken out of context, you can take things out of context all over the place. But in this particular case, it is what it is. It's very obvious."