Democrats Introduce Bill Trying to Force the Redskins to Change Their Name
Posted by: Nicole Sanders on February 4, 2015
Personally I feel this bill would be unconstitutional and is a risky endeavor but Democrats seem to think they have the power to make the Washington Redskins football team change its name.
Representative Mike Honda (CA-D) introduced legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from issuing new trademarks that contain the phrase “redskins.” He said he is trying to convey it is not acceptable to use a term many Native Americans find offensive.
Honda said:
It is unbelievable to me that, in the 21st century, a prominent NFL franchise is calling itself by a racial slur. Term names should be offensive to anyone. Allowing trademark protection of this word is akin to the government approving its use.
There has also been an ongoing federal lawsuit in regards to the football teams name. Last year the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s appeal board ruled the team’s logo and name does indeed violate a law barring trademarks that are offensive. Whereas Redskins owner Dan Snyder has stated he would never change the teams name and he does not find it to be offensive.
Read more at
http://shark-tank.com/2015/02/04/democrats-introduce-bill-trying-force-redskins-change-name/
