US Patent Office Cancels Washington "Redskins" Trademark Registration

[ChicosBailBonds]

A few more that the Patent Office said weren't offensive, but Redskins is.

Cracka Azz Skateboards

Kraut Kap

Figgas over Niggas



http://dailycaller.com/2014/06/18/12-trademarks-declared-less-offensive-than-redskins/

But don't let a crisis go to waste, especially with this administration.

[GGGG]

At the end of the day, I don't the gov't telling me what is or isn't offensive.  The marketplace can decide this.  If people find it offensive, most people won't buy it. 

Let's take a look at what this United States Patent Office said WAS NOT OFFENSIVE just under this administration alone in the last 5 years.  Tell me this decision on Redskins isn't political...what a crock.

Approved last year.  DAGO SWAG.     That's not offensive to Italians?   Yet approved by PTO

Approved in 2012.  UPPITY NEGRO.   Not a typo, that was approved by PTO

Approved in 2011.  MAMMY JAMIA'S.  Wow.  Apparently that's not offensive.

Or we can go on and on about terms that are not racial or ethnic, but someone finds problematic but not PTO.  The list of sexual terms approved is endless.  Doesn't bother me, but bothers some.  "Big Pecker Brand" condoms was ok, so was "Cumbrella"  (clever, I might add).  Did you know that Russian Orthodox tried to ban the Apple logo because they believe it is a symbol of biting the forbidden apple?  Look, I find that view absurd, but they found it offensive.  Someone is always going to be offended.

I've had to deal with PTO in a side business my daughter and I started for diabetic clothing.  It's patently absurd what they are doing on this.  As much as I hate the Redskins football team, I hope like hell he fights for his right to let the market decide.

Best clip I saw was two nights ago.  Two Native Americans, each with a tattoo off the Redskins logo saying (I'm paraphrasing) 'why do non Native Americans keep telling me what I should be offended by?  Stop telling me what should bother me, I'm a man and I know.  I love the Redskins'

You must have failed logic class.

Non-Native Americans *aren't* telling him what to be offended by.  Native Americans themselves have repeatedly, and in growing numbers, stated they are offended by it.  It's not politics, it's not political correctness, it is right there in black and white.  In surveys provided by the football team no less.

And if you have a problem with UPPITY NEGRO, file a complaint.  Any one, or group can do so.  Along the way, you should provide evidence that a significant number African Americans find the trademark offensive. And *nine years later* they may issue a ruling revoking the trademark.

I guess in the end, I am having trouble seeing your "point."  If *some* approved trademarks *might* be offensive, then all  offensive trademarks should be allowed???  That's just dumb.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Primarily, it means that all of the "unlicensed" Redskins apparel with team name, logo, etc. is no longer "unlicensed" since it has no trademark for which to grant a license.

My understanding is that anyone can use and profit off of the Redskins' trademarks since they are tantamount to being in the public domain now.  Check with an attorney first, though.

Only after the appeal is completed, and they will likely win the appeal just like they did last time.  Currently, their trademark is still protected during the appeals process before it goes to US District Court.

Even if they lose the appeal, they still have some protections in place.  Ultimately, it's a drop in the bucket.  The NFL shares revenue with 31 teams for merchandise.  The Cowboys do not share.  So say the Redskins sales drop by 10%, that's diluted over 31 teams, hardly any impact at all.

That being said, Snyder did trademark Washington Warriors 10 years ago.....but but but but but using the name Warriors when they have a Native American past is not right. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Approved last year.  DAGO SWAG.     That's not offensive to Italians?   Yet approved by PTO
 

I'm a "Dago" (my big fat off-the-boat Italian on my mom's side) and I'm not offended.  Someone was obviously trying to imitate the Jersey Shore and thought it was funny.  Real simple, if you're offended don't shop there.

Now time for the Sean Connery line from The Untouchables, "Just like a Dago, bringing a knife to a gun fight."

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm a "Dago" (my big fat off-the-boat Italian on my mom's side) and I'm not offended.  Someone was obviously trying to imitate the Jersey Shore and thought it was funny.  Real simple, if you're offended don't shop there.

Now time for the Sean Connery line from The Untouchables, "Just like a Dago, bringing a knife to a gun fight."

Yup, and I can find tons of Native Americans not offended by Redskin.

Thanks for proving my point.  Just and I can find Italians that are offended by Dago.  Again, exactly my point.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You must have failed logic class.

Non-Native Americans *aren't* telling him what to be offended by.  Native Americans themselves have repeatedly, and in growing numbers, stated they are offended by it.  It's not politics, it's not political correctness, it is right there in black and white.  In surveys provided by the football team no less.

And if you have a problem with UPPITY NEGRO, file a complaint.  Any one, or group can do so.  Along the way, you should provide evidence that a significant number African Americans find the trademark offensive. And *nine years later* they may issue a ruling revoking the trademark.

I guess in the end, I am having trouble seeing your "point."  If *some* approved trademarks *might* be offensive, then all  offensive trademarks should be allowed???  That's just dumb.

I got an A in logic.

I think you are missing the point, big time.  Yes, non native Americans ARE telling him what to be offended by.  Or are you calling that Native American stupid and unable to make up his own mind about who is telling him what to do?  Most of the outrage about the Redskins name, is from non Native Americans.  That's the irony.

[GGGG]

I think you are missing the point, big time.  Yes, non native Americans ARE telling him what to be offended by.  Or are you calling that Native American stupid and unable to make up his own mind about who is telling him what to do?  Most of the outrage about the Redskins name, is from non Native Americans.  That's the irony.

The surveys themselves say that a significant number of Native Americans are offended.  So either you think those surveys are truthful...are wrong...or that poor, naive Natives have been told by non-Natives what to be offended by and have responded accordingly.

So which is it?

[Lennys Tap]

That being said, Snyder did trademark Washington Warriors 10 years ago.....

Should have changed the name then. To the extent that there would still be a controversy, I and millions of others who oppose the racial slur that serves as the present nickname would be on his/your side.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I was told on this very board by my good friend Lenny and others, that if the dictionary says it is offensive or a slur, then it is offensive.  The gov't said the same thing.


da·go
[dey-goh]
noun, plural da·gos, da·goes. ( often initial capital letter ) Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
a contemptuous term used to refer to a person of Italian or sometimes Spanish origin or descent.


Hmm.  Weird, double standards again.  Apparently the dictionary defense only works for some causes, but not others.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The surveys themselves say that a significant number of Native Americans are offended.  So either you think those surveys are truthful...are wrong...or that poor, naive Natives have been told by non-Natives what to be offended by and have responded accordingly.

So which is it?

I do think SOME are offended, someone is always offended by something.  That's never going to change.

Just as surveys show MOST are not offended.  So which is it, those that are not offended are dumb or, ahem, "naive" because they don't share your world view or someone else's?  Sure sounds like it.

Earlier you said growing number are offended...care to provide some facts around that?  A scientific poll, etc?

[GGGG]

I do think SOME are offended, someone is always offended by something.  That's never going to change.

Just as surveys show MOST are not offended.  So which is it, those that are not offended are dumb or, ahem, "naive" because they don't share your world view or someone else's?  Sure sounds like it.

Earlier you said growing number are offended...care to provide some facts around that?  A scientific poll, etc?

I said a significant number are offended....at least 30 percent in every poll provided by the football team.  30 percent isn't merely some.  That's a lot.  (And previous court rulings have specifically stated that a significant number, specifically *not* a majority, is the threshold that the Patent Office needs.)

As for growing opposition to the name:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/02/redskins-tout-new-poll-that-actually-shows-increasing-support-for-name-change/

[Aughnanure]

I do think SOME are offended, someone is always offended by something.  That's never going to change.

Just as surveys show MOST are not offended.  So which is it, those that are not offended are dumb or, ahem, "naive" because they don't share your world view or someone else's?  Sure sounds like it.

Earlier you said growing number are offended...care to provide some facts around that?  A scientific poll, etc?

Keep defending that racist name...

[ChicosBailBonds]

Keep defending that racist name...

Godwin 2.0

I'm defending the right to have it, just as Native Americans are.

[GGGG]

Keep defending that racist name...

Yeah, I guess I don't understand Chicos passionate defense of a name that 30% of Native Americans are offended by.  Why would anyone find that appropriate?

[Lennys Tap]

I was told on this very board by my good friend Lenny and others, that if the dictionary says it is offensive or a slur, then it is offensive.  The gov't said the same thing.


da·go
[dey-goh]
noun, plural da·gos, da·goes. ( often initial capital letter ) Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
a contemptuous term used to refer to a person of Italian or sometimes Spanish origin or descent.


Hmm.  Weird, double standards again.  Apparently the dictionary defense only works for some causes, but not others.

Of course Dago is a racial slur. By definition. Just like Redskin. That doesn't mean that every Italian (or even most Italians) have to be offended by it. Maybe a lot of them wouldn't give a crap. Does mean, though, that it's a bad idea for a school or professional team's nickname. Nobody would be dumb enough to suggest it. And if it somehow was a team's nickname, only a very few would join you in demanding that at least 50% of Italians be outraged by it in order to make a change. Common sense would demand it.

[CTWarrior]

You know, has anyone EVER actually heard the term "Redskin" used as a put-down or to disparage a native American?  We have two big casinos in CT run by Native Americans, and never once have I heard someone saying, "I lost my money to those stinkin' Redskins."  I am in my early 50s and I can honestly say I have only really heard the term used in reference to the football team, potatoes or this stupid issue.

If you don't like it, stop going to/watching NFL games.  You won't because it doesn't really bother you that much, does it?

I don't want the Government getting involved in issues like this.  Snyder's personal property is just that, and it should be left to him.  

Just as importantly, we have people who need to be safely extricated from Baghdad, unsafe bridges and roads all over the country, a troublesome ecomony, and an ever-shrinking middle class, etc.  Any time wasted by our elected officials on the name of some guy's football team because it offends a small minority of a small minority of the population who are not meaningfully impacted by that team name other than having their feelings hurt would be much, much, much, much more well-spent addressing any of those issues.  I know politicians waste our time on issues like this because it is low hanging fruit with no downside to supporting, but is it too much to ask that they spend time addressing real problems?

[Lennys Tap]

I got an A in logic.

That was a long time ago. Either you've forgotten a lot or your teacher was lousy. Or both.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Sultan, are these Native Americans dumb stupid naive


Eunice Davidson, a Dakota Sioux.   Davidson said that if she could speak to Dan Snyder, the Washington team owner who has vowed never to change the name, "I would say I stand with him . we don't want our history to be forgotten."

Tommy Yazzie, Navajo.  "Society, they think it's more derogatory because of the recent discussions," Yazzie said. "In its pure form, a lot of Native American men, you go into the sweat lodge with what you've got — your skin. I don't see it as derogatory."

Stephen Dodson, Aleut  (Alaskan Native American).  " People are speaking for Native Americans that aren't Native American. [I am] Irritated. Irritated is a polite term to say," he said. "When you have people trying to represent our nation, you should be from our nation. Don't represent our nation if you don't even have an ounce of blood in you.  My father was a Redskins fan. He and I had many battles and war parties in the house," he said with a fond smile. "But to do the right thing is what he raised me to do, and he loved the Redskins.  "It is [an honor], it's a heritage. There's a lot of respect in it. A great pinnacle part of who we are as a nation has to do with pride and honor. And the Redskin name is that," he said. "That's one of the things we use as honor and respect toward each other.

J. Barrett Crook, Cherokee.   "If I thought for a second that the team name was offensive, I would no longer be a fan"

Arthur Dymond, Algonquin.  "I am very proud of the name and the fight song.  I do not find the name offensive or derogatory"

ETc, etc, etc.

Naive

[ChicosBailBonds]

Hopefully this Blackhawks fan understands the pain he is causing.

[GGGG]

Sultan, are these Native Americans dumb stupid naive

Eunice Davidson, a Dakota Sioux.   Davidson said that if she could speak to Dan Snyder, the Washington team owner who has vowed never to change the name, "I would say I stand with him . we don't want our history to be forgotten."

Tommy Yazzie, Navajo.  "Society, they think it's more derogatory because of the recent discussions," Yazzie said. "In its pure form, a lot of Native American men, you go into the sweat lodge with what you've got — your skin. I don't see it as derogatory."

Stephen Dodson, Aleut  (Alaskan Native American).  " People are speaking for Native Americans that aren't Native American. [I am] Irritated. Irritated is a polite term to say," he said. "When you have people trying to represent our nation, you should be from our nation. Don't represent our nation if you don't even have an ounce of blood in you.  My father was a Redskins fan. He and I had many battles and war parties in the house," he said with a fond smile. "But to do the right thing is what he raised me to do, and he loved the Redskins.  "It is [an honor], it's a heritage. There's a lot of respect in it. A great pinnacle part of who we are as a nation has to do with pride and honor. And the Redskin name is that," he said. "That's one of the things we use as honor and respect toward each other.

J. Barrett Crook, Cherokee.   "If I thought for a second that the team name was offensive, I would no longer be a fan"

Arthur Dymond, Algonquin.  "I am very proud of the name and the fight song.  I do not find the name offensive or derogatory"

ETc, etc, etc.

Naive

Again, you are failing basic logic.  Quoting five Native Americans, who may be perfectly fine with the phrase Redskin, doesn't negate the fact that a significant number of Native Americans aren't.

You are the absolute king of tortured logic and shifting goalposts.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You know, has anyone EVER actually heard the term "Redskin" used as a put-down or to disparage a native American?  We have two big casinos in CT run by Native Americans, and never once have I heard someone saying, "I lost my money to those stinkin' Redskins."  I am in my early 50s and I can honestly say I have only really heard the term used in reference to the football team, potatoes or this stupid issue.

If you don't like it, stop going to/watching NFL games.  You won't because it doesn't really bother you that much, does it?

I don't want the Government getting involved in issues like this.  Snyder's personal property is just that, and it should be left to him.  

Just as importantly, we have people who need to be safely extricated from Baghdad, unsafe bridges and roads all over the country, a troublesome ecomony, and an ever-shrinking middle class, etc.  Any time wasted by our elected officials on the name of some guy's football team because it offends a small minority of a small minority of the population who are not meaningfully impacted by that team name other than having their feelings hurt would be much, much, much, much more well-spent addressing any of those issues.  I know politicians waste our time on issues like this because it is low hanging fruit with no downside to supporting, but is it too much to ask that they spend time addressing real problems?

Exactly.

So yesterday, San Diego reporter went up to the Oneida Nation casino and interviewed the Oneida Tribe.  Found that 75% had no issue with the term Redskin.  Imagine that.

And yes, they should be addressing real problems.

[Lennys Tap]

You know, has anyone EVER actually heard the term "Redskin" used as a put-down or to disparage a native American?  We have two big casinos in CT run by Native Americans, and never once have I heard someone saying, "I lost my money to those stinkin' Redskins."  I am in my early 50s and I can honestly say I have only really heard the term used in reference to the football team, potatoes or this stupid issue.

I'm a little older than you (65) and yes, I have heard the term Redskin used disparagingly - frequently in Westerns on both TV and in the movies. You stopped hearing it BECAUSE it was a racial slur. Only the football team in Washington remained as a remnant.

I don't want our government involved. I want our government less involved in this and many, many other areas. That said, I am offended by the stubbornness and the stupidity of people like Dan Snyder. I think he's a jerk and an anachronism who will remembered in a vein similar to Donald Sterling. Chico thinks he's a hero. I think a change will and should come and I'll do my best to persuade others. That's how this should be decided.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yeah, I guess I don't understand Chicos passionate defense of a name that 30% of Native Americans are offended by.  Why would anyone find that appropriate?

Because it is private property, the gov't has no role in this, and because most Native Americans are fine with it.  That's why.  Can't make it any clearer for you.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Again, you are failing basic logic.  Quoting five Native Americans, who may be perfectly fine with the phrase Redskin, doesn't negate the fact that a significant number of Native Americans aren't.

You are the absolute king of tortured logic and shifting goalposts.

Why don't you just answer the question?  Are they naive?  That was your implication?  I can post quotes from 500 if I felt like it.  Are these people naive, that's what you said.  Please tell us why your view of the world as a NON Native American is better and more qualified than theirs.

Talk about shifting goalposts, you can't even respond to your own statement.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm a little older than you (65) and yes, I have heard the term Redskin used disparagingly - frequently in Westerns on both TV and in the movies. You stopped hearing it BECAUSE it was a racial slur. Only the football team in Washington remained as a remnant.

I don't want our government involved. I want our government less involved in this and many, many other areas. That said, I am offended by the stubbornness and the stupidity of people like Dan Snyder. I think he's a jerk and an anachronism who will remembered in a vein similar to Donald Sterling. Chico thinks he's a hero. I think a change will and should come and I'll do my best to persuade others. That's how this should be decided.

Don't speak for me Lenny.  I don't think he is a hero, my heroes are folks like my dad, my little girl, some folks in the military, etc. 

Comparing Donald Sterling to Dan Snyder, please. 

I think a change should not come, and neither do most Americans and neither do most Native Americans.  That's how this should be decided, not by the gov't.  This is a private property issue.  Don't like it, don't buy tickets, don't watch the games.  Most of all, stop being an epic hypocrite.