The years of argument over the use of the name "Redskins" has taken a dramatic turn today.
According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Patent and Trademark office has cancelled the team's federal trademark protection calling the name "offensive to Native Americans."
The battle over the name has been raging for years with the first filing against the name filed back in 1992.
The Redskins issued a press release stating "we are confident we will prevail once again and that the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board's divided ruling will be overturned on appeal."
Without trademark protection, anyone can sell merchandise using the "Redskins" name and colors without fear of being sued by the NFL franchise. While this doesn't force Snyder to change the name, it would have an economical impact, which could be far more persuasive to a businessman such as he than any humanitarian argument could ever make.
An immediate appeal by the team is expected in this case. Stay tuned.
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