The Washington Redskins lost some protection for their controversial name after a federal judge ruled it may be disparaging to American Indians.
The decision Wednesday doesn't bar the team's commercial use of the trademarked name, but it opens the door to copycats seeking to profit from it. The Redskins won't be able to add the name to a federal registry, which provides additional protection from such infringement.
Redskins president Bruce Allen said the team will appeal the ruling.
"We are convinced that we will win because the facts and the law are on the side of our franchise that has proudly used the name Washington Redskins for more than 80 years," Allen said in a statement.