INTELLECTUAL HUSL℠
  • INTELLECTUAL HUSL
  • IP Law Blog
  • Fashion Law Blog
  • Prof. M. Terrell
  • Contact

Howard law school IP CLINIC BLOG

REDSKINS ON THE LEGAL FIELD

12/4/2015

0 Comments

 
By Bianca Bell

November 4 -- The legal field continues to look grim for the Washington Redskins who are desperately trying to redeem the canceled “Redskins” trademark. Ever since the cancellation of the mark in July 2014, the team has sought to exhaust all federal means of appeal.
 
The latest and one of the more questionable strategies for the team has been to highlight other offensive and seemingly disparaging marks, like
“Slutsseeker” dating service, “Gringo Style” salsa, “Dangerous Negro” shirts and “Take Yo Panties Off” clothing. The Redskins legal team is arguing that since the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office currently protects these names then the infamous controversial name should also receive protection. The team’s counsel went on to list almost every single offensively named product that has a registered trademark. 
 
Regardless of where you align in this heated battle, this most recent legal defense is more skillful than it appears because it forces the USPTO to explain why ownership of the “Redskins” mark is unacceptable in the midst of a whole range of offensive names that are accepted. Given the multitude of trademarks that are registered, and the unique occurrence of having one canceled for being disparaging, this draws in important free -speech principles. Needless to say, the battle between the USPTO and the Washington Redskins continues to be intense and with no side looking to back down. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • INTELLECTUAL HUSL
  • IP Law Blog
  • Fashion Law Blog
  • Prof. M. Terrell
  • Contact