“The decision, over an Asian-American band named the Slants, could mean that the Washington Redskins name will keep federal trademark protection.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

From the New York Times:

“In a decision likely to bolster the Washington Redskins’ efforts to protect their trademarks, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the government may not refuse to register potentially offensive names. A law denying protection to disparaging trademarks, the court said, violated the First Amendment.

The decision was unanimous, but the justices were divided on the reasoning.”