A new bill would have the Washington Redskins change their name.

New bill calls for Washington Redskins to change their name

March 26, 2013 3:24 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

For a number of years, Native American advocacy groups have called for sports franchises that feature mascots they consider to be offensive to change their nicknames to something less politically divisive. However, one of the most historic, yet controversial names in sports – the Washington Redskins – remains untouched.

However, a recent bill authored by Eni Faleomavaega, a delegate from American Samoa, looks to change that.

According to reports, Faleomavaega has referred the bill, H.R. 1278, to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The legislation is co-sponsored by Congressman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, Congresswoman Karen Bass of California and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington D.C., all of whom are Democrats.

This comes just weeks after a group of Native Americans argued for the Redskins name to be removed at a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office hearing.

The bill aims to reconfigure the Trademark Act of 1946 to ban any future organization from promoting "the disparagement of Native American persons or peoples through marks that use the term 'redskin,' and for other purposes," according to Bloomberg News. Specifically, the bill would go after the Washington football franchise's patents for "Redskinettes," "the Redskins," and "Washington Redskins."

"I certainly do," Norton told The Hill when asked if she thought the team needed to change its name. "But nothing happens without pushing and shoving … I am a fan of the Redskins. I'm just not a fan of their name."

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins organization has continuously argued that its name and mascot honors those of Native American heritage. Many organizations – and the bill's co-sponsors – disagree.

"Honors like that we don't need," Robert Holden, deputy director of the National Congress of American Indians, told the Washington Post.

This news comes as a reminder that all businesses need to keep in mind whether their copyrighted holding could be deemed offensive. To ensure that no legal action is filed under such claims, companies are encouraged to seek out a Phoenix small business attorney.

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