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US Patent Office Strips "Washington Redskins" Name For Being "Disparaging"
What Obama wants, he appears to get. As AP reports, the U.S. Patent Office has ruled the Washington Redskins nickname is "disparaging of Native Americans" and that the team's federal trademarks for the name must be canceled. We note that this decision is based on the fact that 30% of Native Americans believed the term 'Redskins' to be disparaging (not a majority). Which leaves us questioning when the Federal Government will see the New York Giants as disparaging of tall people and The Oakland Raiders as disaparaging of pirates... welcome to the new normal. We wonder (rhetorically of course) if this latest Redskins escalation is supposed to distract from Ukraine, Iraq, Bergdahl, IRS, Benghazi, or approval ratings?
Federal trademark law does not permit registration of trademarks that “may disparage” individuals or groups or “bring them into contempt or disrepute.” The ruling pertains to six different trademarks associated with the team, each containing the word “Redskin.”
The U.S. Patent Office has ruled the Washington Redskins nickname is "disparaging of Native Americans" and that the team's federal trademarks for the name must be canceled.
The ruling announced Wednesday comes after a campaign to change the name has gained momentum over the past year.
The decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is similar to one it issued in 1999. That ruling was overturned in 2003 in large part on a technicality because the courts decided that the plaintiffs were too old.
The new case was launched in 2006 by a younger group of Native Americans. A hearing was held in March 2013.
Just like last time, the Redskins can retain their trademark protection during an appeal.
Welcome to 1984 thought control.
Administrative Trademark Judge Karen Kuhlke notes:
The recognition that this racial designation based on skin color is disparaging to Native Americans is also demonstrated by the near complete drop-off in usage of "redskins" as a reference to Native Americans beginning in the 1960's.
The record establishes that, at a minimum, approximately thirty percent of Native Americans found the term REDSKINS used in connection with respondent's services to be disparaging at all times including 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978 and 1990. Section 2(a) prohibits registration of matter that disparages a substantial composite, which need not be a majority, of the referenced group. Thirty percent is without doubt a substantial composite. To determine otherwise means it is acceptable to subject to disparagement 1 out of every 3 individuals, or as in this case approximately 626,095 out of 1,878,285 in 1990. There is nothing in the Trademark Act, which expressly prohibits registration of disparaging terms, or in its legislative history, to permit that level of disparagement of a group and, therefore, we find this showing of thirty percent to be more than substantial.
Respondent has introduced evidence that some in the Native American community do not find the term "Redskin" disparaging when it is used in connection with professional football. While this may reveal differing opinions within the community, it does not negate the opinions of those who find it disparaging. The ultimate decision is based on whether the evidence shows that a substantial composite of the Native American population found the term "Redskins" to be disparaging when the respective registrations issued. Therefore, once a substantial composite has been found, the mere existence of differing opinions cannot change the conclusion.
In view of the above, petitioners have shown by a preponderance of the evidence that a substantial composite of Native Americans found the term REDSKINS to be disparaging in connection with respondent's services during the relevant time frame of 1967-1990. Accordingly, the six registrations must be cancelled as required under Sections 2(a) and 14(3) of the Trademark Act.
Some social media suggestions for new names...
Washington #Redskins need a new name? From @wuerker: http://t.co/LW4TYW7XNR pic.twitter.com/3uTHMfVrCD
— POLITICO (@politico) June 18, 2014
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political correctness running amok....
There's always Washington Terroists available
Fucking insanity.
Rename the "White House" while you're at it, Il Duce Obozo. I'm sure all Caucasians are offended.
White House is obviously rayciss
WTF! "Redskins" could mean people with sun burns!
Duh!
put a peanut on the helmet. End of problem.
well so much for Kansas City Cheifs, AAtlanta Braves, Florida Seminoles,Warriors of the NBA. You sure opened a can o worms now
Gov't idiots.
But the "Cracker House" should be ok.
How bout "The Federal Reserve"? Isn't that an insult to all Americans?
I have to say I'm disappointed with the postings in this thread.
Don't be mislead. The White House doesn't really give a shit about this issue. It's simply distraction for the sheeple as the rest of the world is falling apart with one failed U.S. policy after another.
Soooo.......what does the US Patent Office think about global warming?
Do they hold the same views as the VA?
What difference does it make what the name of a football team is when shit is hitting the fan around the world? Come on people, keep your eye on the ball for fucks sake!
I know this is difficult for you to comprehend, but this is about the Obama Regime and an ever growing centralized control grid involving themselves in every single element of every single life. It's not fucking about the football team, it's about the ACTION taken. What part of our lives is free from these people now?
If the trademark is stripped, then more people can legally use it. (Not fewer.)
I was thinking that the owner ought to change it to "The Washington Honkeys" and see how long it takes for them to come down on that. I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for that government action.
Or something more in the way of a direct response:
"What's your team's name?"
"Whitey's Revenge."
washington foreskins. why? because were fucked. thats why!
Then can we PLEASE give the Native Americans their land back?
Washington Greenbacks.
1040, 1040, hut!
Half the people on this thread should form a zh team, we can call it 'stupid white people.' They even got a flag ready for y'all, new avatars?
Is murdering 98% of the Indian population and forcing them on reservations [and into casinoes] disparaging?
I ax u?
Can't we strip Washington of its name as it is offensive to everything for which Washington fought?
The D.C. Kickbacks. The Schmuckles for Good.
Because traffic is really bad on the Beltway.
Wow, that's your response?
well i guess the washington niggers is out....
How about we call a spade a spade... uh... Let's call them the Washington Oligarchs.
What, you can't multi-task therefore no one else can?
Keep your eye on the pigskin! Oops, I have offended all the pigs.
Hillary, is that you?
No no no. I'm disappointed with this post. Of course the White House cares about this issue. Because there is a group of assholes that just can't leave well enough alone.
The White House takes action. They can claim to represent what the people want on a base level. The other issues you speak of are better left to others to handle in the mind of the public.
Zero effort on the part of gov. And they make some group happy. And their plans go on (as you've pointed out correctly).
He's 'got a pen and a cell phone." So right after he sits right down and writes himself a letter, he'll give himself a call. Himself gets lonely too, you know.
I do get it: several billion rounds of ammunition purchased by DHS, total NSA surveillance, covertly meddling in all other countries affairs by supplying massive weaponry total manipulation of the markets &the price of money, trying to hang on to the petrodollar at all costs, repeatedly lying to dead soldiers families for why the various wars are being fought, sucking as much wealth & labor from the working class, covertly taxing the hell out of people inflation (the most insidious tax of all), bailing out all of the irresponsible entities while punishing savers, perpetuating the myth the U.S. is a free country, creating as many debt slaves as possible to keep the great Ponzi going forward.
I don't think our founding fathers would give a shit about names of sporting teams. Instead, there would be laser focus on the above issues, and eternal determination to effect change.
If people think the government pitchers don't throw change ups to keep the sheeple off balance then count yourself as one of the sheeple.
Even over on CNBC their online poll is MASSIVELY against this.
Nobody knows how the folks on MSNBC feel about this because nobody watches them or goes to their website.
They should re-name the team the Washington Homo Sapiens. Then we can all refer to them as the "Homo's".
See what the patent office says about that.
Or even the "Hobo's", as the entire country will be broke soon due to D.C. central planning. But that would of course upset the hobosexuals so they'll probably have to go with something painfully neutral, such as the Washington Team Guys.
And Dildo's and Vibrators are "disparaging" to Men with the real thing.
Will they pull the patents on those?
Exactly!!!! You have proved my point.
Do you see what the populace is now talking about? They are talking about this emotionally charged (non)issue that a majority of people are against. It's similar to radio talk show hosts stimulating ratings by saying stuff that's over the top, and thus creating interest in an otherwise uninteresting issue.
So, let's forget about the miserably failed U.S. foreign policy, failing economy, etc. , and let's start talking about distracting issues like the name of a football team.
For the record, I think this Redskin thing is a ridiculous over-reach, but that's not what this patent thing is really about.
MSLSD lol
Hey, I'm a Saltine-American, and I resent that!
That's gold!
That's gold Bania!
while you're at it, gents...could you take down that eyesore carved into MT. Rushmore? and free leonard peltier?
Actually, I think that living in a world where all the names of colours are banned would be even better!!
Red, White, Black, Brown, Yellow crap, Muslum Brown,....
ERASE IT ALL FROM THE DICTIONAIRY!!
FROM NOW ON, ALL COLOURS SHOULD BE REFERED TO AS: OBAMA
ALL HEIL TO THE LEADER!! EMPEROR OBAMA BIN BARACK!
Nevermind the Cleveland had a similar logo....
They already tried that crap with the Seminoles and the Seminole trible of Florida told the NCAA that they not only liked the team being named after them but that they had an extremely close, long and productive relationship with the University and basically the NCAA could go pound sand.
Could you point out to us where the "Redskin" nation resides? And no, the parking lot of RFK doesn't count....
Do you pratice being deliberately thick or is it natural?
I believe Oklahoma translates to red people.
Time to change the name of that state.....it's rayciss!
The black hand (oops) of TPTB is getting out of hand
With all the mexicans coming over, how about the Washington Wetbacks?
Black Panthers???
The Washinton Tribe. Lets just call a spade a spade.
calling a spade a spade is rayciss!!!
Our home team is known locally as the Arkansas Razorblacks. Noone can deny it or seems to mind.
Sueey!
Not if you are a gardener...
Call them the Washington Blacks...has anyone seen the team? Doubt there are any Indians
Control the language.
Control the thoughts.
These ideas have been written about by numerous writers, all who were laughed at, and all who have been proven to be correct about where an all controlling government is willing to go with their efforts to enslave all of us.
There's no need to exaggerate. Joseph Heller and George Orwell and Kurt Vonnegut were not "laughed at" for writing about the abuse of language. Their ideas were taken seriously and they all became very respected figures in their own lifetimes. You don't need to manufacture an underdog to get your point across. Please try not to engage in the same sort of melodramatic sloganeering that Obama just did.
Besides, I rather doubt this is primarily about "controlling the language." It was timed to coordinate with Obama's recent tour of several Indian reservations and his avowell to reform the Bureau of Indian Education. This is nothing but a naked attempt to use America's governmental institutions to bolster his own political career, just like the IRS investigating the Tea Party--and that is disturbing enough.
The real question is:
IF THE NAME REDSKINS ISN'T ALLOWED ANYMORE,
WHY SHOULD AMERICA KEEP INDIANS??
but on a non racist tone... thank god they are all so happy in their reservations...
but....
DO PEOPLE REALISE THOSE INDIANS KILLED... YES KILLED GEORGE CUSTER???!!
I mean...
beasts...
all the white people had where 22's against arrows...
that was hard... just look at the current army where Abraham tanks can't defeat Afghani farmers... with sticks...
Abraham tanks?
Forget it, he's on a roll.
You prefer abrams?
It's that tribe theme again.
Oh no my friend, in the USA they have "Native Americans" not Indians, and in my home country we have "First Nations peoples".
nigah pleez
I had coffee one day with a co-worker and his friend, a hispanic dude wearing a cap with the logo "Cleveland Caucasians". Since I am a bit dimwitted, I asked him what it meant. He said, "You have heard of the Cleveland Browns, right?" The gears in my brain started turning and I thought, yeah that's the team that was named after their first coach, Paul Brown, right? That's right.
I thought it was meant to be an honor? Right? I mean, they are depicted as warriors, aren't they?
Besides, are there any left who actually care? Aren't they too busy running casinos and getting drunk as fuck?
Sickening.
San Diego state had a really buff guy ( friend of mind) that ran ran through the crowds as Monty Montezuma during Aztec football games. He was dressed in the full warrior regalia. It was considered insensitive and he was replaced with a svelt guy wearing "authentic" garb which resembled a gay guy in drag. I really had to laugh at the responses.
But I flunked sensitivity training at work so what do I know.
Miffed;-)
St. Johns college in NY had to rename their team from the 'Red Men' to 'Red Storm'. The name 'Criminal' was already being used by the state/city/local governments in their respective leagues.
Sensitivity training for me was always about 'tightening our belts' to meet shareholder expectations. Fuck it.
the patent office should not be a political office.
love,
the IRS
Change the name to "Washington Grifters!"
Exactly. It should be a mark of pride and the Natives should feel pride that their likeness is used as a mascot. We are becoming a worthless and weak society. I give it 100 years before the barbarians are at the gate and breaking through, despite the two oceans providing a great barrier on either side.
I don't drink and I don't gamble and I am a member of an Indian Tribe. Your statement is what is called CIRCULAR REASONING. See this: http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/981/9782/original.jpg
Your comment puts you in the ASS category.
It's all about identity, that of which most 'white' people have none.
This is awesome news! I plan on launch a line of condoms and will trademark them as Washington Redskins. I am going to be rich and one of the 1%.
And we have a new possible team name for our FEMA camp softball team.
pods
By then, teams won't even be able to be named after colors. Because, you know, black is offensive. Yellow. Red. White is fair game though.
Maybe they will name the teams by number?
Have patience. White will be a minority soon enough and be protected too!
When they get through with you there will be nothing left to protect.
Seven would not be permitted, because seven ate nine.
Name the teams by number? How about calling them the Wahiington Zeros. There is plenty of precedent for DC: we already have the main Zero in the Transparent (can't use White) House, and the House of Zeros - all 435 of them - and the Supreme Zeros. Not to mention the Senate, which has two zeros in its membership count (100) and two zeros leading the parties.
They aren't FEMA camps! They are Forward Assembly and Re-education Training Camps. ie. FART Camps.
Federal law suit will be filed, Supremes will rule that the state has a compelling interest in controlling names. I hope they come out with foreskins painted on their helments this fall, at least the joos will be happy.
The Washington Schmuckles.
The Washington Sellouts
"Every game is a Sellout"
The logo would be a "$" emblazoned over the Bill of Rights
Might work.
The NBA team washington Bullets had to rename themselves as well. They picked the wizards. Odd.
They did that of their own accord...
Sure they did.
FWIW....
I'm an idiot. What is FWIW?
How has that name change worked out for gun violence? If I were Native American I would hope there is no correlation.
The owner, instead of fighting it should go ahead and embrace it because, while it may be a pain in the ass for his long time "brand", his fan base will not change and the benefits could be enourmous. It's not like he's changing the formula for Coke. Though he's already wealthy, he will benefit from a flurry of sales for the old "Redskin" merchandise plus he will get hugely rewarded for all the new apparrel sales of whatever new name he chooses. While nothing is guaranteed in life, this is as good as it gets when it comes to generating new revenue streams.
Plus, I don't see anywhere stating the logo is offensive, just the name so he could actually keep that famous logo if he chose to do so. Finally, if it's not too late being how he's dug in his heels he could take a better attitude about it and could've benefitted with some good will but that horse may have left the barn.
If he wins I believe it turns out to be a pyrrhic victory at best. He will be targeted by all alphabet soup agencies of the US, that I have no doubt and they will find plenty, a guy of that wealth is never as clean as a hounds tooth which he will most assuredly need to be. Obama will make sure his remaining days are filled with harrasment by all levels of government. Snyder's ego won't allow him to back down which will cost him personally. I firmly believe that when the president puts you in his crosshairs you might as well kiss your ass goodbye. If they can't find anything on him, he may end up being a victim of a 1 car accident, rendered, whatever. "By any means necessary...." I believe will be Obama's mantra to get this guy bend to his will.
Why be an idiot, when you can't win in the long term?
For what its worth....
See I told you I was an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep....steal your land, herd your people onto reservations with countless deaths to said people, but we WILL NOT CALL YOU A REDSKIN !!!
cry baby cry !
For a moment I thought you were talking about herding Americans into FEMA camps.
The New Zealand rugby team: "All Blacks"
Anti-whitey?
Obama and his administration are "disparaging"!
[Terrorists] much more fitting for a DC team. they should have a lot of deception plays, a good aerial attack and throw a lot of bombs.
I was thinking The Washington Liars.
The Washington Niggers could be misconstrued.
How about the Washington HNICs?
Head Nigga In Charge?
Washington Alcoholics. I think folks would automatically make the connection and jersey sales would go through the smoke-hole.
Maybe some folks, not you, will make the connection between liberalism, political correctness and the destruction of our culture.
>> our culture.
American culture? Sorry, it's hard for me to get all weepy eyed about a bunch of old white bigots fading out. A culture of greed, war, gluttonous consumption, dogmatic hateful christian weirdness. You can keep your culture.
As much as I make it a habit of not noticing you, I did think of you when I broke out my first batch of sour kraut. It came out great. I've never been a kraut fan but this stuff is very good.
I did't expect you to make the connection, self hating libs are their own worst enemy.
BTW hippie genius, you don't make Sauerkraut in the summer when it's 90 degrees out. I thought you're self sufficient farmer.
>> when it's 90 degrees out
Out? No, I brungs it inside.
>> I thought you're self sufficient farmer.
Nobody is self sufficient, not even you, hero.
Did you buy the cabbage at wholefoods because it's not in season. You should buy some organic sauerkraut there and save yourself the trouble. Mr wannabe.
>> it's not in season.
No real crime in being ignorant of our local garden calendar. Now being foolish enough to spout that ignorance in public for all to see, different story.
I had 25 beautiful head of cabbage. I made a very large batch of onion/cabbage relish with about 10 head, along with a bunch of my onions. And I made a big batch of kraut. And I gave a few away.
>> Mr wannabe
Wannabe what? I'm just living my life and enjoying myself. For whatever reason that seems to get your panties in a wad. You live your life and I'll live mine. I know that goes against your particular brand of libertarianism but you'll just have to deal with it.
I don't know what you grew but it wasn't cabbage. Unless you live in the southern hemisphere or harvested those "heads" 4 months too early. It's easier to believe that you're just full of shit. US Cabbage matures in late fall early winter genius.
>> it wasn't cabbage. Unless you live in the southern hemisphere
Here you go, dumbass, from the University of Florida:
Cabbage in Florida is usually harvested between October 25 and June 15, with the most active harvest period between January 1 and April 15 (FDACS 2012).
Now get out your slide rule and subtract 5 weeks for the fermentation.
Not that there was ever any doubt, but you are dumber than a rock, and obviously damned proud of it.
Too many fair weather yentas moved to Florida. Must be the climate, low property prices and the social security checks for the boomers. Between you and Lola I don't know what happened to the state. Cabbage grows best as a cool weather vegetable, stick to what your local area provides. If I were you I would live on ceviche I caught made with homegrown citrus. But you're old and stubborn so it's best to just wait out your days in the sun.
>> Cabbage grows best as a cool weather vegetable, stick to what your local area provides.
"As of 2010, Florida ranks third nationally in the production of fresh market cabbage, accounting for approximately 13% of U.S. cabbage production."
Anything else you don't know about cabbage I can help you out with?
Washington Senators is even worse. I'm glad they got rid of that name.
Consider that the term "Washington" is embarrasing to more than 30% of Americans.
How 'bout The Washington Thinskins!
(credit dennis miller for that)
So now Obama defines the standard for "petty tyrant'?
Dan Snyder is obviously not a "donator" to the big O
What about "Whasington commies"?? or, alternatively hire a redskin.
Who can prevent you from calling yourself a redskin??
You guys are looney!
Fighting the use of Native American stereotypes
More like creating a new fake high morale high ground to divde and conquer . To loot and make war
Just rename the team "Washington Pantone 495U Skins". Problem solved.
Just rename the team "Washington Pantone 495U Skins". Problem solved.
Gummint: ctrl-alt-del
Politicians using the supposedly neutral federal bureaucracy for clear politics ends isn't even hidden anymore - its blatant, and they don't care. Niether do the highly ideological bureaucrats themselves. They are untouchable.
Just
when one would think that the politicization of every facet of the federal
government has reached max potential, nope.
Right. Can't call a turd a 'turd' anymore. It's a 'pos.'
Is that a 4D cube?
paging Harrison Bergeron...
Washington Scumbags is more accurate anyway.
I kinda like "Washington Imperialists," though "Nazis" would work as well.
Change the Patriots to Extremists
The DC Ratpack.
How about the Buffalo Shay-Kwans (no Blacks named "Bill", that's for sure) versus the New York Challenged, not for the Super Bowl, but for the Equal Bowl?
Washington Shitstains?
The Stealers. Oh, wait..
The price of Jerseys just dropped...go bootleggers go
Oops.
Hey, the Tampa Bay Buccanneers are disparaging to sports fans. Field a team of shit and call it a pro team? Jerk that patent.
they did win the Super Bowl since the turn of the century
They should rename themselves the "Washington Fucktards"...afterall that wouldn't be disparaging?
Sorry, the name fucktard too closely resembles the name used to describe politicians, which is "fucktard"!
They should name themselves the Washington .
That's the football team formerly known as a certain unnamed skin tone.
What about "White House"?
would renaming them the washington foreskins be more or less politically correct?
anti-semetic
The name Zero Hedge is disparaging to the bushes that line the walkway from my garage to my house. I demand it be revoked for being botanically insensitive.
It's also a backhanded slap at Zero Bush, Zero Bama's father.
Zero Bush is pubic-hairily insensitive to my girlfriend's nicely trimmed genitalia. I demand you pay a fine!
And you Wanxalot are incredibly insensitive to those of us who Wax A lot! I DEMAND an apology and reparations!
Miffed;-)
Can we get some evidence of this waxing MM? A couple of still photos or a simple video would be fine with me. Please don't tell me your hard drive crashed with all the data lost.
My goodness but you are such a bad boy! Unfortunately for you, photos of that nature are in Mr Miffed's personal computer of which I have no access. He is more into boudoir than porno because I keep him satisfied in that arena.
Since taking yoga I could contort myself into an interesting selfie but that would also be immodest. Perhaps a delicious fantasy in this realm would suffice?
Miffed;-)
So should Notre Dame change their name if I'm offended by the fact that I'm Irish, but I don't look like a leprechaun? This country is an f-ing joke.