If you worry that Redskins rumors may not be called "Redskins" rumors in the future due to controversy surrounding racial connotations, a recent court ruling won't do much to help your anxiety.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, "the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has rejected another trademark application containing the term; “Washington Redskins Potatoes” won’t receive federal trademark protection."
"The product doesn’t include “redskin potatoes,” which makes the term “Redskins” when used in that context inappropriate, in the opinion of the agency."
As reported by Florio, the governmental agency also shot down a possible trademark for "Redskins Hog Rinds" on the same grounds, and "is considering revoking the NFL football team’s federal trademark protection" due to perceived racial insensitivity.
In a press release made public by the Oneida Indian Nation, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office made their position clear on why the aforementioned trademarks were refused: “Given that ‘REDSKIN’ in the mark is a derogatory slang term that refers to, and is considered offensive by, American Indians, registration of the applied-for mark must be refused.”
The possible name change for the Washington Redskins has been a source of furious debate, drawing national attention and even prompting House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to publically argue that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office should reject any protection of the term "Redskin" due to its usage as a "slur."
