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Ruth J. Morrison

Ruth J. Morrison

US Patent Office Cancels Trademark for Washington Redskins Football Team

Give this round to Native Americans and their supporters.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled the trademarks for the Washington Redskins team's name on Wednesday.

Team owner Dan Snyder has come under increasing fire recently for refusing to change the team's name, which is widely seen as insensitive to Native Americans.

The decision from the U.S. administrator read, "We decide, based on the evidence properly before us, that these registrations must be cancelled because they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered," the board wrote in its opinion, which can be found here.

The ruling does not force the team to abandon the name, but does allow others to use it without risking patent infringement litigation.

The move affects six registrations and was brought about by a petition from five Native Americans. The office found that "a substantial composite of Native Americans found the term REDSKINS to be disparaging in connection with respondent's services during the relevant time frame of 1967-1990."

Amanda Blackhorse, one of the people who filed the case, told Think Progress that she hopes this move helps spur a new name for the team.

"It is a great victory for Native Americans and for all Americans. We filed our petition eight years ago and it has been a tough battle ever since. I hope this ruling brings us a step closer to that inevitable day when the name of the Washington football team will be changed," she reportedly said.

This is not the first time the patent office has revoked the team's trademark on the name. A 1992 ruling by the administrator was overturned by a U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. The Native American legal team appealed the District Court's ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. However, the high court refused to hear the case and issued a one-line ruling.

The team name has been a point of controversy for decades, but recent calls for it to be changed have grown louder. Even a commercial aired during a recent NBA Finals game urging the team to change its name. The team's owner has rejected those efforts.

A Twitter campaign by the team to mobilize its fans around the name failed miserably. The team tried to get fans to tweet Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to show pride for the team. However, the backlash against the team and the Twitter campaign was swift and furious.

The team is confident that it will prevail on appeal.

What do you think? Will the Washington football team ultimately change its name? If the matter goes to federal court again, will the USPTO ruling stand or fall?

 

Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins is Planning for a Boxing Comeback

Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins chats with What's The 411 correspondent, Andrew Rosario at the Garcia vs. Morales fight, the first professional boxing match held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

In this video, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins speaks about how the Barclays Center is destined to give positive energy to Brooklyn and positive energy is what Brooklyn needs.

Hopkins paid homage to Brooklyn natives Jay-Z and Zab Judah. The Executioner says he's not done and he fully expects to grace the ring at the Barclays Center sometime soon.

Hope you weren't banking on his retirement. The champ hopes to keep that title in this newly anticipated fight.

The video includes scenes of the Barclays Center on fight night which includes: Mike Tyson, Danny Jacobs, Avery Johnson, DJ Enuf and the Mob wives.

Check it out.

 WATCH VIDEO: Boxer Bernard Hopkins

  • Published in Boxing

Boxer Zab Judah Number One in the World and Itching for a Fight

What's The 411's Andrew Rosario was bizzeee at the Garcia v. Morales fight at the Barclays Center on Saturday, October 20, 2012.
Wow, this was boxing in Brooklyn, baby! The first time in more than 80 years! And, on this night, there were so many people to talk to about boxing. Seeing Zab "Super" Judah, Andrew excitedly greets him.

"What would boxing be in Brooklyn without Zab Judah, man, how you doing?! What do you think of the whole night, what's going?"

"I call this a soft opening right now, because a hard opening is going to be when Super Judah steps in there," Judah replies.

"But, so far tonight, it has been a great night of boxing, it is great to see the people come out tonight, and to have a place for Brooklyn to have boxing now," Judah continued.

Judah is expecting to fight Lamont Peterson as soon as Peterson signs the contract, which Judah hopes to be soon.

Although Judah is excited about boxing in Brooklyn, it will not be a dream come true for him until he gets the opportunity to step his feet into the ring.

So what will Super Judah's emotions be like when he finally steps into the ring?

It is hard to tell, but Judah said without hesitation, "I'm going to be turned up."

 

 WATCH ZAB JUDAH VIDEO INTERVIEW

  • Published in Boxing

Danny Jacobs Survives Cancer and His First Fight Back in the Boxing Ring

What's The 411's Andrew Rosario was bizzeee at the Garcia v. Morales fight at the Barclays Center on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

Wow, this was boxing in Brooklyn, baby! The first time in more than 80 years! And, on this night, there were so many people to talk to about boxing.

Andrew spoke with boxer Danny Jacobs in the media room at the Barclays Center after Jacobs won his fight against Josh Luteran by a knockout. Jacobs won at 1:13 of the first round on the undercard of the Barclays Center's inaugural boxing card of Garcia v. Morales.

This was Jacobs' first fight after fighting his most deadly opponent, cancer.

"I am on Cloud Nine, the feeling that I had, even right now, it's been hours after the fight, I'm still floating," Jacobs said reflecting on his win.

"I wasn't supposed to be here, this moment was not promised, the doctors said it would never happen," Jacobs continued.

What's next for Jacobs?

"I want to stay active as possible, I am not looking to call anyone out, I am not looking to fight any specific people, but I do want to step up gradually and appropriately," he responded.

Sounds like Danny Jacobs has a good head on his shoulders.

WATCH VIDEO: DANNY JACOBS

  • Published in Boxing
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