The Washington Redskins won another victory over Native American litigants challenging its name as racially disparaging and offensive. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the name was permissible and not sufficiently insulting to justify stripping it of trademark protection. The Redskins name has been protected since 1967.
The ruling mirrors a decision by Kollar-Kotelly rejected claims of activists in 2003, click here.
For a copy of the decision in PRO FOOTBALL, INC. v. HARJO, et al, click here.
Due to an appellate ruling in 2005 on standing, Kollar-Kotelly was forced to revisit the question. Other teams have human-based names like the Vikings, Cowboys, Patriots, etc. As a Bears fan, the only group that could try to challenge might be PETA but Chicago is pretty safe legally. It is the actual football that has been a bit of a problem.
For the full story, click here.