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Redskins win historic trademark case

The Washington Redskins and owner Daniel Snyder will not have to change their team name. One of the most public battles surrounding professional sports trademarks has come to an abrupt conclusion.

on Wednesday, the Native American Group that had been battling the Redskins in federal court dropped its case on appeal. Like clockwork, the Justice Department then declared the Redskins themselves winners in this landmark trademark battle.

According to the Washington Post, neither side really had much of a choice here. A previous case in the United States Supreme Court sided with an Asian-American rock group and its first amendment rights.

“On June 19, in a separate case involving an Asian rock band, the Supreme Court declared that a key section of federal trademark law banning trademarks that “may disparage” people was a violation of the First Amendment,” the Post reported.

Consideirng the Redskins’ long, drawn-out trademark case was similar to what SCOTUS ruled on, there wasn’t much wiggle room for opponents who claim that the Redskins’ name is inappropriate.

It’s a debate that has been waged on a political and national front for over two decades now. Former President Barack Obama urged Snyder and Co. to give in and change their name. Meanwhile, Native American advocacy groups have been incredibly outspoken on this matter.

Either way, the Redskins won a major battle in federal court on Wednesday. Their team name will remain the same for the foreseeable future. No matter where you stand on this debate, it’s a major win for Daniel Snyder and his organization.

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