- Home Page
- Thesis
- History Behind Mascot Controversy
- Case Study: Washington Redskins VS. Native American Activists
- "Hail to the Redskins" Fight Song
- Timeline: Legal Fights Through the Years to Get Rid of Offensive Mascots
- Florida Connection: Florida State Seminole Controversy
- Public Opinion on the Issue
- Interview
- Images Depicting Controversy
- Annotated Bibliography of Resources
- History Fair Group Members
In 2009 the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a ruling that ended a 17 year battle between the NFL Washington Redskins organization and Native American activists. The activists were arguing the Washington Redskins football team name as being so offensive that they should not receive trademark protection. The American trademark law states that a name being used cannot "disparage . . . persons, living or dead, . . . or bring them into contemp, or disrepute."
The Washington team had the "Redskin" name since 1933. They were federal trademarks on the name in 1967. That same year a group of Native American activists challenged this and in 1970, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled that the name could be looked at as being offensive to Native Americans. The Washington franchise appealed that ruling and the issue worked its way back and forth through the legal system until it finally reached the Supreme Court in 2009. The Washington Redskin franchise won this battle due to the "legal theory of laches - the plantiffs waited too long to commence their lawsuit to ban the trademark." The Supreme Court did not rule on the basis of racism and would not comment further.
The Washington team had the "Redskin" name since 1933. They were federal trademarks on the name in 1967. That same year a group of Native American activists challenged this and in 1970, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled that the name could be looked at as being offensive to Native Americans. The Washington franchise appealed that ruling and the issue worked its way back and forth through the legal system until it finally reached the Supreme Court in 2009. The Washington Redskin franchise won this battle due to the "legal theory of laches - the plantiffs waited too long to commence their lawsuit to ban the trademark." The Supreme Court did not rule on the basis of racism and would not comment further.
Native American
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Washington Redskins
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