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Justices say law on offensive trademarks is unconstitutional
WTOP News [Washington DC] ^ | June 19, 2017 10:35 am | AP

Posted on 06/19/2017 8:02:07 AM PDT by COBOL2Java

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday struck down part of a law that bans offensive trademarks in a ruling that is expected to help the Washington Redskins in their legal fight over the team name.

The justices ruled that the 71-year-old trademark law barring disparaging terms infringes free speech rights.

The ruling is a victory for the Asian-American rock band called the Slants, but the case was closely watched for the impact it would have on the separate dispute involving the Washington football team.

Slants founder Simon Tam tried to trademark the band name in 2011, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied the request on the ground that it disparages Asians. A federal appeals court in Washington later said the law barring offensive trademarks is unconstitutional.

The Redskins made similar arguments after the trademark office ruled in 2014 that the name offends American Indians and canceled the team’s trademark. A federal appeals court in Richmond put the team’s case on hold while waiting for the Supreme Court to rule in the Slants case.

(Excerpt) Read more at wtop.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: lawsuit; nfl; redskins; ruling; scotus; trademarks
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To: COBOL2Java

Just stopped in a town in Southeasten Colorado, the local high school’s mascot is called the “Savages.”

I laughed when I saw that, because I thought the entire country had gone PC. Not in Lamar, CO I guess.


81 posted on 06/19/2017 5:30:44 PM PDT by Gamecock ("We always choose according to our greatest inclination at the moment." R.C. Sproul)
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To: Does so

The Cleveland Spuds.


82 posted on 06/19/2017 5:34:35 PM PDT by reg45 (Barack 0bama: Gone but not forgiven.)
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To: JBW1949; BuffaloJack

Almost the exact words I was about to post! My Chinese friend said that rugs are Oriental, people are Asian.


83 posted on 06/19/2017 6:19:44 PM PDT by DaughterofEve (Proverbs 3:5-8)
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To: Lurkinanloomin

“No constitutional right not to be offended”. Amen.

Where did the fetish come from that says others can not be offended either by speech or trademarks. Oh forgot that PC was purposely created so that elites, politicians and academics are free to decide what we can say, think, and do. Average people seem to have no say in this topic.


84 posted on 06/19/2017 6:33:42 PM PDT by apoliticalone (Political correctness should be defined as news media that exposes political corruption)
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To: COBOL2Java

Hail to the Redskins! Fight for Ol Dixie!

JetsNation salutes you. Let them be called the Redskins until the end of time.


85 posted on 06/19/2017 7:18:39 PM PDT by longsufferingjetsfan
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To: COBOL2Java

I went out and purchased Redskins memorabilia based on the idea they’d have to change their name.

It would be great if they didn’t have to.

If I thought they were trying to trash Native Americans, I wouldn’t support it.

To me the team name is a compliment to Native Americans. It’s a sign of respect, nobility, a very strong spirit, and is indicative of a group of winners.

Go Washington Redskins.

Blacks are proud of their skin.

Whites are. Why not redskins?


86 posted on 06/19/2017 7:58:39 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Fourth estate? Ha! Our media has become the KCOTUS, the Kangaroo Court of the United States.)
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To: Reno89519

I think you’d be much more comfortable at a liberal site. That way you can spend your days demanding apologies and explaining how and why liberals are habitually offended.


87 posted on 06/19/2017 8:22:57 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Eleutheria5

Are you offended by your own post?


88 posted on 06/19/2017 8:26:29 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: COBOL2Java

RUSH talked about this court ruling this morning...


89 posted on 06/19/2017 8:33:33 PM PDT by tubebender
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To: dragnet2

Definitely. I committed sui-fend.


90 posted on 06/19/2017 9:53:27 PM PDT by Eleutheria5 (“If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
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To: COBOL2Java

YES!


91 posted on 06/19/2017 9:54:35 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Persevero

And people can name their teams whatever bloody well pleases them.


92 posted on 06/19/2017 9:55:21 PM PDT by Eleutheria5 (“If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
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To: dragnet2

Cute. So precious you are.


93 posted on 06/19/2017 10:34:05 PM PDT by Reno89519 (Drain the Swamp is not party specific. Lyn' Ted is still a liar, Good riddance to him.)
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To: Eleutheria5
I didn't think so.☺
94 posted on 06/19/2017 11:32:11 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Fai Mao

Rush once spent a lot of time on a team called the Fighting Whities, which the local whites adored.


95 posted on 06/20/2017 1:21:13 AM PDT by Eleutheria5 (“If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
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To: NativeSon

Indeed. Why not? The only way to really get rid of a slur is to appropriate it for your own use. For example how homosexuals appropriated the terms “queer” and “faggot”.


96 posted on 06/20/2017 2:39:40 AM PDT by RKBA Democrat (In the medium term, islam wins)
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To: Eleutheria5

And indeed we’ll be better off for it. Prohibition of use of a slur only perpetuates it’s existence and its power. Appropriate the term instead as homosexuals have done with the term “queer.”


97 posted on 06/20/2017 2:45:53 AM PDT by RKBA Democrat (In the medium term, islam wins)
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To: zaxtres

IC,
whatchu,
dithere.


98 posted on 06/20/2017 5:39:11 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic, Anthropogenic Climate Alterations: The acronym explains the science.)
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To: equaviator

:: How ‘bout it, Gloria (Alred)? What’s not to like? ::

Maybe a pasty-white, speed-rock band should take on the nomme “GloriaAlred” and see what happens?


99 posted on 06/20/2017 5:41:53 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic, Anthropogenic Climate Alterations: The acronym explains the science.)
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To: Reno89519

:: I spent 19 years in the DC area ::

I think I see YOUR problem here. YOU want to decide...according to your personal-and-assumed offense on behalf of [native] Indians, what should and should-not be acceptable in society.
Reno89519... we [Indians] can defend ourselves and we DO NOT need your “white-bread” support against any perception of bigotry. Can you say, “fascism”? I knew you could.

As I am 1/16 Chippewa (Pottawatomie), I find your arrogance quite insulting to the (native) Indians and tribes of North America [yes, we have no concern with being called “Indians”...just check out our gambling houses!)

We have not appointed YOU to be our protector. We did not ask ^you^ for a blanket consideration and protection from cultural speech patterns.

Serious inquiry
...from whom and where do you assume to “protect” Indians (Aboriginal Americans) from such words?

I say again...y’all white people be funny.


100 posted on 06/20/2017 6:01:21 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic, Anthropogenic Climate Alterations: The acronym explains the science.)
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