Yocha Dehe Responds to U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Decision

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation applauds the decision of the US Patent Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board canceling six trademark registrations of the R* name of the Washington, DC football team.

Yocha Dehe stands proudly alongside the five Native Americans who brought the case before the US Patent and Trademark Office, claiming the R word is disparaging of Native Americans. We salute their courage and leadership.

With the airing of the ‘Proud to Be’ ad last week and this landmark decision, we hope education, discussion and debate about racism against Native Americans and all groups rises to a new level that brings lasting change.

For more information on the decision, we direct your attention to the following:

Statement by the National Congress of American Indians and the Oneida Indian Nation’s Change the Mascot Campaign.

Media fact sheet issues by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.