Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Redskins Name Case

by Parks Smith on Nov 16, 2009 2:23 PM EST

From CNN:

The justices without comment refused to intervene in the dispute, effectively ending the suit.

A lawsuit was first filed in 1992. Among the plaintiffs is Suzan Shown Harjo of Washington, a Cheyenne/Hodulgee Muscogee and a longtime advocate for Native American rights.

The Redskins name and logo was adopted in 1933 when the team was based in Boston, Massachusetts, and had been known as the Braves. In a legal brief filed with the court, the team said the name was changed to honor the Redskins coach at the time, William Henry "Lone Star" Dietz, a Native American.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted a formal trademark in 1967, and it has been renewed several times since. The team has said it has spent "millions of dollars ... promoting, advertising, and protecting its mark."

Update by KevinE: Redskins are not of the muck yet. Native Americans can still win the battle where Snyder loses the 'Redskins' trademark, which means he'd have to change the name if he ever wants to make a buck.

http://trueslant.com/KashmirHill/2009/11/16/washington-redskins-name-is-safe-for-now/

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Comments

Actually

Thats pretty funny. What do you think would happen if he was allowed to keep the name but not make any money? I know I would keep the name, hands down! But would he?

by monk81 on Nov 16, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions

That was rhetorical.....right????

I think we all know Danny would be changing the name!!!! We would be the Washington Snyders

by shvd98z24 on Nov 16, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

i just threw up in my mouth a little bit

SpotieOtieDopalicious

by Rekka on Nov 16, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

+10......and a towel

by shvd98z24 on Nov 16, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

Are we saying

Snyder = Acid Reflux?

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

by Scott E on Nov 16, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

No.....

more like Snyder = IBS

by shvd98z24 on Nov 16, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

that's more like it

SpotieOtieDopalicious

by Rekka on Nov 16, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

Samurai IBS

IBS with a sword in stuck in it.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

by Scott E on Nov 17, 2009 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

The building my lab has moved into

Is named Snyder too. The irony kills me every day.

by CarverM on Nov 16, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

I can't imagine how much it costs to park there.

$50 a day?

by Kevin Ewoldt on Nov 16, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

I'd check my paystubs if I were you Carver

make sure there are no “Convenience Fees”

SpotieOtieDopalicious

by Rekka on Nov 16, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

Speaking of "Snyder" comedy

Has anyone seen the DC lottery commercial with the guy that gets tarred and feathered b/c he doesn’t want to join the powerball pool?

His colleagues call him “Snyder,” and say his name like 4 times while he is standing there covered in ridiculous looking feathers. Clearly intentional. Hilarious.

by Boo. on Nov 16, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

yup

"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins

by smutsboy1 on Nov 17, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

How are those

$8 cheap domestics goin’ down?

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

by Scott E on Nov 17, 2009 8:48 AM EST up reply actions

Even if Snyder loses the case, he still has a trademark

The case is about federal registration of the trademark. Even if Snyder eventually loses the case, he will still have a common law trademark anywhere that the mark is “used.” Not sure how that is defined, but I would imagine with the NFL’s national tv deals, the trademark would still be valid in all 50 states. This case is much ado about nothing (unless you think the particular benefits of federal trademark protection, like treble damages, are the only thing that’s making Snyder keep the name).

by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Nov 16, 2009 9:31 PM EST reply actions