Last week, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) in Lee v. Simon Shiao Tam, asked the United States Supreme Court to reverse the decision of the United States Federal Circuit, which held that trademark law’s ban on “disparaging” trademark registrations violates the First Amendment. On December 22, 2015, we discussed the underlying decision
Michael R. Yellin
Federal Circuit Lines Up a New Play for the Washington Football Offense
Posted in Trademarks
On July 15, 2015, we discussed the decision of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Pro-Football, Inc. v. Amanda Blackhorse, et al. In Pro-Football, the District Court affirmed a decision by the United States Patent and Trademark Office directing the cancellation of six “REDSKINS” trademark registrations owned by the…
United States District Court Affirms USPTO’s Cancellation of REDSKINS Trademarks
Posted in Litigation, Trademarks
On June 24, 2014, we discussed the decision of the United States Patent and Trademark Office that granted a petition for cancellation of six “REDSKINS” trademark registrations owned by the Washington Redskins NFL team. The owner of the marks, Pro-Football, Inc. or “PFI”, appealed the decision to the United States District Court for the Eastern…
USPTO Throws a Flag at the Washington Football Franchise
Posted in Trademarks
On June 18, 2014, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted a petition for cancellation of six “REDSKINS” trademark registrations owned by the Washington Redskins NFL team. The registrations were issued between 1967 and 1990. In a 2-to-1 divided decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board concluded that the trademarks were disparaging to a…