Washington Redskins Lose their Trademark, But the Battle is Just Beginning

In a major blow to the Washington Redskins, the United States Patent and Trademark Office canceled the team's trademark registration on Wednesday, describing the team's name as "disparaging to Native Americans."

In its ruling, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board cites federal law that "prohibits registration of marks that may disparage persons or bring them into contempt or disrepute." It is the second time such a case was filed.

The Redskins had no immediate comment.

The ruling, which applies to six different trademarks associated with the team, does not mean the Redskins need to change their name. However, it affects whether the team and the National Football League can profit from merchandising because companies not affiliated with the team could sell the team's products without having to share the revenues with Redskins ownership.

The Trademark Office faced a similar case in 1992, and although they eventually ruled in favor of the Native Americans in 1999, the board's decision was eventually thrown out after an appeal.

Robert Raskopf, a lawyer who has been representing the team since the first case was filed, is confident the Redskins will win on appeal again.

"We've seen this story before," Raskopf said. "And just like last time, today's ruling will have no effect at all on the team's ownership of and right to use the Redskins name and logo."

The Redskins' name has been brought into the political spotlight over the last few years. Even President Obama voiced his opinion last October saying that the team should consider changing its name. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Senate Democrats agree. Conservatives, on the other hand, support the team keeping its name, or have remained silent.

According to Reid, the name is a "sad reminder" of the racism that Native Americans have historically faced in this country. He described the team's owner, Dan Snyder, as perhaps "the last person in the world to realize" the name should be changed, which he called "racist."

Former and current NFL players have also called for Snyder to change the name of the team, which Snyder has vowed never to do, justifying his stance by saying it honors Native Americans.

The continuing battle for the Native Americans who have filed the lawsuit is far from over.

This is just one more example of the institutional racism that has pervaded our country. Dan Snyder and the NFL need to stop thinking about their bottom lines and start addressing the fact that Native Americans have a long history of racism and exploitation in this country. Full stop. Misappropriating their heritage for the sake of profit is vile.

Native Americans in this country have fought for their rights long enough.