The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) cancelled six registrations for marks consisting in whole or in part of the term REDSKINS for use in connection with a professional football team, because the marks were found to be disparaging to Native Americans at the time they were registered (between 1967 and 1990).

The Board found that when used in connection with football services, REDSKINS retains the meaning of “Native American.” Videos of football games, newspapers, and press guides created between 1967 and 1990 established that the respondent “made continuous efforts to associate its football services with Native American imagery.”

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Had a delightful lunch with a couple of very interesting lawyers yesterday. It would have been perfect if they hadn’t both lingered over salad nicoise while I sat there attacking my steak au poivre. I too love salad nicoise, but this was a legitimate IRS-approved T&E write-off luncheon! And one does so need the protein, […]

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