Opponents of racist mascots protest at a NFL game between the Washington and Dallas teams in January 2016. Photo by Amanda Blackhorse / Twitter
The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to hear a case that could affect the racist trademarks of the Washington NFL team. The team is not a part of the dispute between a musical group known as The Slants and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. But the team believes the outcome will have a direct impact on its battle against Native youth activists. Still, there is no guarantee that the Supreme Court will agree to hear the case involving The Slants. The petition in Lee v. Tam is due for consideration on September 26, according to Docket Sheet No. 15-1293. But even if the justices grant the petition, there is no guarantee they will want to hear the team's arguments, especially since the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet ruled in the Pro-Football v. Blackhorse case involving the Native youth activists. The six activists convinced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel the team's trademarks because they are offensive and disparaging to Native people. The Supreme Court's new term starts October 3, at which time the justices could announce whether they will hear Lee v. Tam. The court is still down to just eight justices since Republicans in the Senate refuse to consider the nomination of Merrick Garland to the court. Read More on the Story:
Redskins, rock band form unusual alliance in trademark fight (AP 9/19)
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