On July 8, 2015, a federal judge upheld a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) decision, ordering the Washington Redskins to cancel their trademark registration. Good Morning Washington sat down with Finnegan attorney Mark Sommers to discuss the case and the impact of the ruling on the football franchise.
Sommers noted that the Lanham Act does not allow terms that are disparaging to be registered as trademarks. He also noted that the decision only impacts the Redskins’ right to register the mark, not to use the mark. The team still has common law rights of the mark and can continue selling merchandise and enforcing their rights against counterfeit products that use the mark. The Redskins will appeal the case to the Federal Circuit.
Award/Ranking
Managing IP Americas Awards 2024: Finnegan Shortlisted for Nine Awards, Including Firm of the Year
March 12, 2024
Press Release
Finnegan Secures Another Patent Victory for BMW Group in the District of Delaware
February 27, 2024
Award/Ranking
Finnegan Tops the 2024 World Trademark Review 1000, Receiving New Regional Accolade
February 13, 2024
Press Release
February 13, 2024
Award/Ranking
Finnegan Receives Gold Level Healthy Workforce Designation™ from Cigna
February 6, 2024
Press Release
Finnegan Secures Third Straight Victory for BMW Group Against Patent Assertion Entity
February 6, 2024
Due to international data regulations, we’ve updated our privacy policy. Click here to read our privacy policy in full.
We use cookies on this website to provide you with the best user experience. By accepting cookies, you agree to our use of cookies. Please note that if you opt not to accept or if you disable cookies, the “Your Finnegan” feature on this website will be disabled as well. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.
Finnegan is thrilled to announce the launch of our new blog, Ad Law Buzz, devoted solely to breaking news, developments, trends, and analysis in advertising law.