sports

kken comments in the rant/revel:

“USPTO just cancelled the Redskins trademarks. Suck it Snyder.”

From the UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ruling:

“As explained below, we decide, based on the evidence properly before us, that these registrations must be cancelled be cause they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered, in violation of Section 2(a) of the Trademark Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(a). This decision concerns only the statutory right to registration under Section 2(a). We lack statutory authority to issue rulings concerning the right to use trademarks.”

So for our lawyers out there what exactly does that mean?

You can read the full ruling here.

Update Statement by Bob Raskopf, Trademark Attorney for the Washington Redskins:

“The following is a statement by Bob Raskopf, trademark attorney for the Washington Redskins, regarding today’s split decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board:

“We’ve seen this story before. And just like last time, today’s ruling will have no effect at all on the team’s ownership of and right to use the Redskins name and logo.

‘Redskins Are Denied Trademarks’

-Washington Post, April 3, 1999

‘Redskins Can Keep Trademark, Judge Rules’

-Washington Post, October 2, 2003

We are confident we will prevail once again, and that the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s divided ruling will be overturned on appeal. This case is no different than an earlier case, where the Board cancelled the Redskins’ trademark registrations, and where a federal district court disagreed and reversed the Board.

As today’s dissenting opinion correctly states, “the same evidence previously found insufficient to support cancellation” here “remains insufficient” and does not support cancellation.

This ruling – which of course we will appeal – simply addresses the team’s federal trademark registrations, and the team will continue to own and be able to protect its marks without the registrations. The registrations will remain effective while the case is on appeal. (more…)

From a press release:

“Following actions taken by National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for racist remarks, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) made the following statement, calling on National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell to take the appropriate action in urging a change of the racist Washington football team name.

“Native people, organizations that represent them, allies of every background, and Members of Congress have for years protested and demanded a change in the disparaging and racist Washington football team name, but have made no progress with the National Football League or with team owner Daniel Snyder. A pending legal action holds real promise, but it should never come to that. When Adam Silver saw racism, he acted without hesitation to the acclaim of the nation. The increasing controversy and activism surrounding the name of our hometown football team are in search of a similar national sports leader. Roger Goodell, as the commissioner of his league, is inevitably that leader and stands at the crossroad of either leading the NFL to take the morally required action or condoning the current name of Washington’s football team. While the team’s attempts to trademark the team name have been turned back four times on grounds of disparagement by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and a new ruling that could result in a name change is expected soon, Commissioner Goodell must not allow the NFL to be seen kicking and screaming to rid the league of a team name that carries racist and demeaning connotations from a bygone era.”

Last May, Norton and nine other members of Congress sent letters to Goodell, Washington football team owner Daniel Snyder, the 31 other NFL franchises, and Washington football team sponsor FedEx, urging a change in the team name. Last March, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS) introduced a bill, which Norton and the others who signed the letter cosponsored, to cancel existing trademark registrations containing the term “redskin,” and deny registration for new trademarks using the term.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

From a press release:

“Seven new members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame will be honored during pregame festivities prior to the Washington Nationals series finale against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, April 27 at Nationals Park. This year, the renowned sports club will enshrine the following inductees:

o Charles “Lefty” Driesell – Former Men’s Basketball Head Coach, University of Maryland
o Johnny Holliday – Sports Broadcaster, Voice of Maryland football & basketball and Nats Xtra television host on MASN
o Olaf “Olie” Kolzig – Former Goalie, Washington Capitals
o George Solomon – Former Sports Editor, The Washington Post
o Theodore N. Lerner – Managing Principal Owner, Washington Nationals
o Michael Weiss – Olympic and Professional Figure Skater
o Chris Weller – Former Women’s Head Basketball Coach, University of Maryland

These honorees were selected based on their outstanding contributions to the world of sports, thereby bringing honor and recognition to the Nation’s Capital. They will join a select group of Washington-area standout athletes and sports personalities already in the Hall of Fame, including Sammy Baugh, James Brown, Dominique Dawes, Josh Gibson, Walter Johnson, Sonny Jurgensen, Morgan Wootten, Bob Wolff and many others.

Each new inductee will receive a Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame plaque commemorating their induction during the pregame ceremony, and their names will be added to the large Hall of Fame display at Nationals Park, located on the side of Garage B facing the field.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

From a press release:

“Councilmember Muriel Bowser thanked Eleanor Holmes Norton today for the Congresswoman’s proposal to study the feasibility of improving three federally-owned golf courses in the District of Columbia.

“Congresswoman Holmes Norton is to be applauded for her effort to improve these public facilities,” said Councilmember Bowser. “It’s unfortunate that the courses have been allowed to fall into disrepair. But with the proper federal attention, these courses—Langston, East Potomac, and Rock Creek Park—could become the center of the region’s golf economy.”

The Congresswoman’s proposal comes on the heels of local efforts to improve the three courses. In February, Councilmember Bowser held a hearing on a DC Council bill that called for the transformation of Langston Golf Course into a championship-level golf facility. In March, Ms. Bowser expanded on that vision in a letter to Congresswoman Holmes Norton suggesting that the two leaders work together on the redevelopment of all three golf courses.

Congresswoman Holmes Norton introduced her bill yesterday.”

From Congresswoman Norton’s office:

“The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility for public-private partnerships to operate the three courses. The bill suggests that one of the courses be transformed into a world-class, tournament-quality course with playing fees commensurate with such courses around the country to help upgrade and sustain the other two courses to the same standards as the best public courses in the country owned by cities, towns, counties and states. Those two courses would retain the same fee structure that exists on the date of enactment of the bill. Norton has been working for years, beginning with a bill in 2007, to reverse the three courses’ long-term slide into deterioration, and to preserve, as she said, “these unique, valuable and historical D.C. attractions for the enjoyment of future generations.”

You can read the full bill here.

For the golfers out there, which of the three is currently your favorite?