Blackhorse Down: Do NFL Teams Need Trademark Protection?
In this Note, William Mason analyzes the economic effects of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s decision to revoke federal trademark protection from the Washington Redskins and questions whether those effects are sufficient to force a change to the team’s name. He argues that the protections and incentives provided by the NFL and collective bargaining will significantly damper any economic effect the Board’s decision may have, and instead suggests alternative areas where social and economic pressure may prove more successful.