US Patent Office cancels Commanders Trademarks

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Doomsday101 said:
I think Commanders should keep their name. The men who have worn the uniform have done so with pride not to mock or offend. I may not like the team but there have been some greats who wore it and did so proudly.
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I disagree with you, but think this was the most respectful way of defending the use of the name that I have ever read. I know too many who are offended by the name to ever think it is okay. The references to Vikings, Giants and Cowboys being offensive too are hyperbole. There's no comparison to the impact.
 
Overall I'm glad there's a bigger circus than what we've dealt with (not so much recently, but previously) and it's right there in our own division to gobble up headlines.
 
And I think a lot of you have no real idea what actually occurred with this ruling. You think the Commanders lost their trademark lol...no, they didn't.
 
I wonder if the group, which influenced the U.S. Patent Office's decision, are affiliated in some way with ChangeTheMascot.org?

@the Mods: would it be okay to include ChangeTheMascot.org in my signature line? I do not want to violate forum rule #11 - You will not advertise or promote other sites, services or products. :)
 
ABQCOWBOY said:
Yeah, it did. I was on it and it was working one minute and not the next. I'm back on now but it was not available for a good couple minutes.
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Yeah, that happens regularly at ES lol...it's not in any way connected to this ruling.
 
My Grandmother was Half Apache so that would make me an 8th. That's not a lot but that's ok. The point of my post really has little to do with that. The word Apache, is not very flattering if you think about it.

Heck, the word "Indian" could be offensive. Native Americans are not from India. Are we going to change all of these things? This entire idea is gone past the point of sensibility IMO. Full on ridiculous IMO but hey, everybody has an opinion. Play on I suppose.....
 
And just for the record, for any of you who feel like typing "LMAO" as a response to this ruling lol...

Forbes.com: Loss Of Commanders Trademark Registration Is Overblown

he Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has decided to cancel six federal trademark registrations that include the term “Commanders.” The ruling was made in relation to the longstanding use of the mark by the National Football League’s Washington Commanders. It was deemed that the use of “Commanders” by the NFL is disparaging of Native Americans, and thus the federally registered mark was effectively cancelled as of today. The implications of this ruling have been greatly exaggerated.

[...]The Washington D.C.-based NFL team intends to appeal the TTAB’s decision cancelling the federal trademark registrations. More importantly, the team has recognized that it continues to own and is able to protect its marks without the registrations in place. The organization is correct.

ESPN.com Sports Business reporter Darren Rovell wrote, “[w]ithout protection, any fan can produce and sell Washington Commanders gear without having to pay the league or the team for royalties and wouldn’t be in violation of any law for doing so.” That is simply not true. The decision by the TTAB does not require the Washington D.C.-based NFL team to change its name, stop using the “Commanders” marks and it does not mean that the organization loses all legal rights in the marks.

[...]If a sports fan decides to produce and sell Washington Commanders gear without obtaining advance permission from the team, and the gear creates a false representation that it originated from the NFL’s Washington Commanders organization, then that fan may be in violation of improperly benefiting from the use of the team’s common law protected trademark and be forced to pay damages related to the infringing use.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office makes the distinction between a federal registration in a trademark and common law rights quite clear. It says on its FAQ page, “Federal registration is not required to establish rights in a trademark. Common law rights arise from actual use of a mark…” The Washington Commanders organization has made it known that use of the Commanders name and logo will continue. There is little doubt in the public sphere as to a clear association between such marks and the NFL organization. Thus, whether the team prevails in appealing the cancellation of the federal registrations of the marks or not, it may still use such marks in commerce and prevent others from trying to benefit off of the use of same without consent.
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http://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenh...mmanders-trademark-registration-is-overblown/

Hope that helps.
 
WoodysGirl said:


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Yes, they can use it. It's just unprotected now. So anybody can use the Washington Commanders name and logo to sell whatever they please and Daniel Snyder can do nothing about it.

Put it this way...if it had no real impact on the Commanders, they would not have a trademark attorney fighting rigorously to protect the trademark.





YR
 
Yakuza Rich said:
Yes, they can use it. It's just unprotected now. So anybody can use the Washington Commanders name and logo to sell whatever they please and Daniel Snyder can do nothing about it.

Put it this way...if it had no real impact on the Commanders, they would not have a trademark attorney fighting rigorously to protect the trademark.





YR
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The misinformation flowing on this thread is staggering lol...
 
Hostile said:
I disagree with you, but think this was the most respectful way of defending the use of the name that I have ever read. I know too many who are offended by the name to ever think it is okay. The references to Vikings, Giants and Cowboys being offensive too are hyperbole. There's no comparison to the impact.
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What impact? Many natvie americans are not offended by the name because 1 group makes noise does not mean they speak for everyone. Nor does it mean Washington has to change their name to accomidate

Hail to the Commanders!


Hail Victory!

Braves on the Warpath!

Fight for old D.C.!

Run or pass and score -- we want a lot more!

Beat 'em, Swamp 'em,

Touchdown! -- Let the points soar!

Fight on, fight on 'Til you have won

Sons of Wash-ing-ton. Rah!, Rah!, Rah!

Hail to the Commanders!

Hail Victory!

Braves on the Warpath!

Fight for old D.C.!

sorry I don't think anyone wrote this song to offend but instead to praise.
 
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