, Columnist
Redskins Can Lose Name or Lose Money
The federal
government just took the most decisive action to date toward forcing the Washington Redskins to change their name.
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As the fight over the Washington Redskins' offensive name becomes increasingly politicized, the federal government just took the most decisive action to date toward forcing a change.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled Wednesday to cancel six of the team's federal trademark registrations, determining that the name is "disparaging of Native Americans." In its decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board make clear that the decision does not actually force the team to change its name and could be subject to an appeal. (You'd better believe owner Dan Snyder is already assembling his team of Injustice League power attorneys to fight the decision to the death.)