111 U.S.P.Q.2d 1080 (2014)

AMANDA BLACKHORSE, MARCUS BRIGGS-CLOUD, PHILIP GOVER, JILLIAN PAPPAN, AND COURTNEY TSOTIGH
v.
PRO-FOOTBALL, INC.

Cancellation No. 92046185

Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, Patent and Trademark Office (P.T.O.)

June 18, 2014
Hearing: March 7, 2013

Jesse A. Witten, Jeffrey J. Lopez, John D. V. Ferman, Lee Roach and Stephen Wallace of Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP for Amanda Blackhorse, Marcus Briggs, Philip Gover, Jillian Pappan, and Courtney Tsotigh.

Robert L. Raskopf, Claudia T. Bogdanos and Todd Anten of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP for Pro-Football, Inc.

Before Kuhlke, Cataldo and Bergsman, Administrative Trademark Judges

Opinion by Kuhlke, Administrative Trademark Judge:

OVERVIEW

Petitioners, five Native Americans, have brought this cancellation proceeding pursuant to Section 14 of the Trademark Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. § 1064(c). They seek to cancel respondent's registrations issued between 1967 and 1990 for trademarks consisting in whole or in part of the term REDSKINS for professional football-related services on the ground that the registrations were obtained contrary to Section 2(a), 15 U.S.C. § 1052(a), which prohibits registration of marks that may disparage persons or bring them into contempt or disrepute. In its answer, defendant, Pro-Football, Inc., asserted various affirmative defenses including laches.^[1]

As explained below, we decide, based on the evidence properly before us, that these registrations must be cancelled because they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered, in violation of Section 2(a) of the Trademark Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(a). This decision concerns only the statutory right to registration under Section 2(a). We lack statutory authority to issue rulings concerning the right to use trademarks. See, e.g., In re Franklin Press, Inc., 597 F.2d 270, 201 USPQ 662, 664 (CCPA 1979).

The Registrations at Issue

The following six registrations (hereinafter referred to collectively as the REDSKINS marks) are the subject of this cancellation proceeding:

1. Registration No. 0836122 for the mark THE REDSKINS (stylized), shown below, for "entertainment services -- namely, football exhibitions rendered in stadia and through the media of radio and television broadcasts," in Class 41;^[2]

[IMAGE OMITTED]

2. Registration No. 0978824 for the mark WASHINGTON REDSKINS, in typed drawing form, for "entertainment services - namely, presentations of professional football contests," in Class 41;^[3]

3. Registration No. 0986668 for the mark WASHINGTON REDSKINS and design, shown below, for "entertainment services - namely, presentations of professional football contests," in Class 41;^[4]

[IMAGE OMITTED]

4. Registration No. 0987127 for the mark THE REDSKINS and design, shown below, for "entertainment services - namely, presentations of professional football contests,"^[5] in Class 41;

[IMAGE OMITTED]

5. Registration No. 1085092 for the mark REDSKINS, in typed drawing form, for "entertainment services -- namely, presentations of professional football contests," in Class 41;^[6] and

6. Registration No. 1606810 for the mark REDSKINETTES, in typed drawing form, for "entertainment services, namely, cheerleaders who perform dance routines at professional football games and exhibitions and other personal appearances," in Class 41.^[7]

Prior Litigation

This is the second time the Board has faced a petition to cancel these registrations. On September 10, 1992, Suzan Harjo and six other Native Americans filed a petition to cancel the above-noted registrations on the ground the marks consist of or comprise matter which disparages Native American persons, and brings them into contempt, ridicule, and disrepute; and the marks consist of or comprise scandalous matter under Section 2(a) of the Trademark Act. Respondent denied the salient allegations in the petition for cancellation and asserted eleven affirmative defenses, including laches. The Board struck all of respondent's affirmative defenses. Harjo v. Pro Football, Inc., 30 USPQ2d 1828, 1833 (TTAB 1994); and 50 USPQ2d 1705, 1710 (TTAB 1999). After seven years of litigation, involving multiple discovery and pretrial motions, the Board issued its decision on the merits, held that respondent's REDSKINS marks were disparaging to Native Americans when registered and ordered the registrations canceled. Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1743.

Respondent appealed the decision to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. On motion for summary judgment, the District Court reversed the Board for two reasons:

The TTAB's finding of disparagement is not supported by substantial evidence and must be reversed. The decision should also be reversed because the doctrine of laches precludes consideration of the case.

Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 284 F. Supp. 2d 96, 68 USPQ2d 1225, 1263 (D.D.C. 2003).

The petitioners appealed the rulings that the claim of disparagement was not supported by substantial evidence and that the defense of laches may be asserted against a disparagement claim. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held that the District Court applied the wrong standard in evaluating laches as to at least one of the petitioners because "laches runs only from the time a party has reached his majority" and, while retaining jurisdiction over the case, remanded the record to the District Court to evaluate whether laches barred petitioner Mateo Romero's claim. Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 415 F.3d 44, 75 USPQ2d 1525, 1528 (D.C. Cir. 2005). The D.C. Circuit did not address the issue of whether substantial evidence supported the Board's finding of disparagement. On remand, the District Court found that laches did bar the claim:

[D]efendant Romero unreasonably delayed his bringing of a cancellation proceeding and ... his eight-year delay demonstrates a lack of diligence on his part. The court further finds that Defendant Romero's delay has resulted in both trial prejudice and economic prejudice to Pro-Football, such that it would be inequitable to allow Defendant Romero to proceed with his cancellation petition.

Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 567 F. Supp.2d 46, 87 USPQ2d 1891, 1903 (D.D.C. 2008).

Petitioners appealed. The D.C. Circuit affirmed the decision of the lower court on the issue of laches and stated that the petitioners "argue only that the District Court improperly assessed evidence of prejudice in applying laches to the facts at issue" and limited its decision "to that question." Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 565 F.3d 880, 90 USPQ2d 1593 (D.C. Cir. 2009). Thus, the D.C. Circuit resolved the case solely on the issue of laches, never addressing the Board's finding of disparagement on the merits.

The Current Litigation

While Harjo was pending, six new individual petitioners filed a petition to cancel the same registrations for the REDSKINS marks.^[8]Proceedings were suspended pending the disposition of the Harjo civil action and resumed in March 2010.^[9]

In March 2011, the parties stipulated, with certain exceptions, that the entire Harjo record may be submitted into evidence through a Notice of Reliance.^[10] The stipulation provides in pertinent part that:

1. Except as provided below, all evidence submitted with a Notice of Reliance, as well as all deposition transcripts and exhibits thereto submitted by any party, in Harjo ... shall be admissible in this proceeding unless the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in Harjo that the evidence was not admissible, in which case all arguments as to admissibility are preserved.

2. The Parties do not stipulate that any particular piece of evidence described in paragraph 1 is relevant to any issue in this proceeding, and therefore may object to evidence described in paragraph 1 on grounds that it is not relevant.^[11]

As stipulated, the parties only reserved the right to make objections based on relevance to evidence earlier admitted into the Harjorecord and admitted into this case under paragraph 1. All other possible objections, including those based on hearsay, were waived. This was confirmed from both parties at the oral hearing.

In view of the intense pretrial litigation engaged in by the parties in Harjo and because the record created in that case was voluminous, the Board ordered the parties to appear at a pretrial conference.^[12]

In order to litigate this proceeding as efficiently as possible, a pretrial conference will help the Board and the parties focus the evidence and arguments at trial.^[13]

After briefing by the parties, the Board issued another order setting forth the applicable law relating to the issues of disparagement and laches involved herein.^[14]

In regard to the former issue, the Board noted that the test for disparagement comprises a two-step inquiry:

a. What is the meaning of the matter in question, as it appears in the marks and as those marks are used in connection with the goods and services identified in the registrations?

b. Is the meaning of the marks one that may disparage Native Americans?

Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1248; Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1740-41. See also, In re Geller, ___ F.3d __________, 110 USPQ2d 1867, 1869 (Fed. Cir. 2014). Both questions are to be answered as of the various dates of registration of the involved marks. Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1248; Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1735, 1741. In deciding the second question, whether the term "redskins" may disparage Native Americans, we look not to the American public as a whole, but to the views of the referenced group (i.e., Native Americans). Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1247; Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1739.^[15]

The views of the referenced group are "reasonably determined by the views of a substantial composite thereof." Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1247 (quoting Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1739). A ""substantial composite" of the referenced group is not necessarily a majority of the referenced group. In re Heeb Media LLC, 89 USPQ2d 1071, 1074 (TTAB 2008); In re Squaw Valley Dev. Co., 80 USPQ2d 1264, 1279 n.12; cf. Ritchie v. Simpson, 179 F.3d 1091, 50 USPQ2d 1023, 1024 (Fed. Cir. 1999) ("Whether a mark comprises immoral and scandalous matter is to be ascertained in the context of contemporary attitudes, and the relevant viewpoint is not necessarily that of a majority of the general public, but of a 'substantial composite."') (quoting In re Mavety Media Group Ltd., 33 F.3d 1367, 31 USPQ2d 1923, 1925-26 (Fed. Cir. 1994)). What comprises a "substantial composite" of the referenced group is a fact to be determined at trial. In making this determination, "we are charged with taking into account the views of the entire referenced group who may encounter [respondent's services] in any ordinary course of trade for the identified goods and services." Heeb Media, 89 USPQ2d at 1075.^[16] Finally, any cancellation of a registration should be granted only with "due caution" and "after a most careful study of all the facts." Rockwood Chocolate Co. v. Hoffman Candy Co., 372 F.2d 552, 152 USPQ 599, 601 (CCPA 1967) (internal citations omitted).

THE RECORD

The record includes the pleadings, the files of respondent's registrations by operation of Trademark Rule 2.122(b), 37 C.F.R. § 2.122(b), deposition testimony of each of the petitioners and the associated deposition exhibits, and nearly the entire Harjo record (except for the deposition testimony of the Harjo petitioners), by stipulation. The submissions from the Harjo record are listed in full in Appendix A (for petitioners) and Appendix B (for respondents).^[17]

As noted above, the parties only preserved the right to make objections in this case based on relevance to any evidence earlier admitted into the Harjo record. Respondent asserted 26 pages of relevancy objections. We have considered those objections in weighing the evidence and specifically address them where we have relied on evidence for our findings of fact. We do not rely on the Ross Survey and therefore we do not address respondent's various arguments with regard to that piece of evidence.^[18]

Petitioners' objections to respondent's evidence are overruled. As noted above, on March 14, 2011, the parties filed a stipulation regarding the admissibility of evidence in this case. In Harjo, the Board admitted the particular evidence to which petitioners now object because neither party then objected to it coming in under a Notice of Reliance. Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1721-23. The Board specifically stated as to these documents and other documents upon which respondent relies that it "has considered all such material of both parties as part of the record in this case." Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1723. While the Board in Harjodiscussed the hearsay nature of the evidence or lack of foundation, it was admitted into the record; and the parties' stipulation in this case waives all objections, other than relevancy, as to this evidence. Thus, petitioners are estopped from objecting to the evidence on any basis except relevance because the evidence had been admitted in Harjo and, therefore, falls within paragraph No. 1 of the stipulation noted above.

In their reply brief, petitioners assert that "[i]n addition to the waiver of the hearsay objections, the news articles would fit within hearsay exceptions, including the ancient records exception, so their content may be considered for the truth of the matters asserted."^[19] While the ancient documents exception could provide further support for reliance on various documents from both parties (newspaper articles, letters, etc.), the contents of which would otherwise constitute hearsay, in view of the waiver of hearsay objections it is not necessary to apply this exception.^[20]

Finally, regarding the parties' waiver of hearsay objections, courts have routinely accepted and enforced such waivers, and relied on the evidence for the truth of the matter asserted. "The presumption of waivability has found specific application in the context of evidentiary rules. Absent some "overriding procedural consideration that prevents enforcement of the contract,' courts have held that agreements to waive evidentiary rules are generally enforceable even over a party's subsequent objections." U.S. v. Mezzanatto, 513 U.S. 196, 202 (1995), citing 21 C. Wright & K. Graham, Federal Practice and Procedure (FPP) § 5039, pp. 207-08 (1977). "Courts have "liberally enforced' agreements to waive various exclusionary rules of evidence. Id. (quoting Note, Contracts to Alter the Rules of Evidence, 46 HARV. L. Rev. 138, 139-140 (1933)). "[A]lthough hearsay is inadmissible except under certain specific exceptions, we have held that agreements to waive hearsay objections are enforceable." Id. citing U.S. v. Bonnett, 877 F.2d 1450 (10th Cir. 1989) (hearsay objection waived by stipulation); see FPP § 5039.4 Estoppel and Waiver - Withdrawal of Objections and § 5039.5 Estoppel and Waiver - Stipulations and Contractual Waiver. See also U.S. v. Alazzam, slip op. No. 1:08cr101 (JCC) (E.D.Va. September 29, 2009), 2009 WL 3245392 (use of waiver extended to a prosecution's case in chief).^[21]

STANDING

A plaintiff must show that it has a "real interest" in the outcome of a proceeding in order to have standing. Ritchie v. Simpson, 50 USPQ2d at 1025. A "real interest" in the proceeding is a legitimate personal interest in the opposition or cancellation. Id., citing Lipton Indus., Inc. v. Ralston Purina Co., 670 F.2d 1024, 213 USPQ 185, 189 (CCPA 1982).

Amanda Blackhorse is a member of the Navajo Nation.^[22] She testified that she considers the term REDSKINS in respondent's marks to be derogatory and is offended by it.^[23]

Phillip Martin Gover is a member of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah.^[24] He testified that he perceives the terms REDSKIN and REDSKINS to be disparaging, even in connection with respondent's services.^[25]

Courtney Tsotigh is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma.^[26] She testified that she finds the term REDSKIN to be disparaging in any context including for an "NFL team."^[27]

Marcus Briggs-Cloud is a member of the Muscogee Nation of Florida.^[28] He testified that he finds the term REDSKINS in the registrations to be disparaging and offensive.^[29]

Jillian Pappan testified that she is a Native American.^[30] She testified, inter alia, that the use of the term REDSKIN is analogous to the term "nigger," and that people should not profit by dehumanizing Native Americans.^[31]

In view of the foregoing, we find that each of the petitioners has established a real interest, a personal stake, in the outcome of this proceeding and, therefore, has standing. Respondent does not dispute the petitioners' standing.

DISPARAGEMENT CLAIM

While this is the second petition asserting a claim of disparagement against the same six registrations and the parties stipulated to the same record, this proceeding presents significant differences from the first. The Harjo case asserted other claims not present here, e.g., that the Native American imagery as well as the word REDSKINS was scandalous to the general public and that the Board should, in making its decision, apply the Indian Trust Doctrine.^[32]

The determination of the disparagement claim at issue herein requires the following two-step analysis:

a. What is the meaning of the matter in question, as it appears in the marks and as those marks are used in connection with the goods and services identified in the registrations?

b. Is the meaning of the marks one that may disparage Native Americans?^[33]

As confirmed by the parties at the oral hearing, it is already established that (1) this disparagement claim only pertains to the term REDSKINS^[34] and (2) as to "the meaning of the matter in question" "as used in connection with respondent's services, REDSKINS clearly both refers to respondent's professional football team and carries the allusion to Native Americans inherent in the original definition of that word."^[35] Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1742, rev'd on other grounds, Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1249.

Moreover, as to the second point, the evidence overwhelmingly supports a determination that the term REDSKINS as it appears in the marks retains the meaning Native American. Two of the registrations include Native American imagery. Registration No. 0986668 (top) and Registration No. 0987127 (bottom) are shown below.

[IMAGE OMITTED]

[IMAGE OMITTED]

The image of a Native American has appeared prominently as a logo on the helmets of respondent's Washington Redskins' team uniforms, as demonstrated by the images below of its former players John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII in 1983 (left) and Doug Williams in Super Bowl XXII in 1988 (right).

[IMAGES OMITTED]^[36][37]

The Washington Redskins marching band had worn Native American headdresses as part of its uniforms between the 1960s and the 1990s, as shown in the image below from the 1980s.

[IMAGE OMITTED]^[38]

The Redskinettes also had appeared wearing costumes suggestive of Native Americans, as shown in the 1962 photograph of them reproduced below, which contained the title "Dancing Indians" and the caption "Here are the Redskinettes all decked out in their Indian garb and carrying Burgundy and Gold pom-poms."

[IMAGE OMITTED]^[39]

Between 1967 and 1979, the annual Washington Redskin press guides, shown below, displayed American Indian imagery on the cover page.

IMAGES OMITTED]^[40][41]

Respondent has made continuous efforts to associate its football services with Native American imagery.

As confirmed by the District Court:

Meaning of the Matter In Question ... "This is not a case where, through usage, the word 'redskin(s)' has lost its meaning, in the field of professional football, as a reference to Native Americans in favor of an entirely independent meaning as the name of a professional football team. Rather, when considered in relation to the other matter comprising at least two of the subject marks and as used in connection with respondent's services, 'Redskins' clearly both refers to respondent's professional football team and carries the allusion to Native Americans inherent in the original definition of that word." Id. Based on the record before the TTAB, the Court finds that this conclusion is supported by substantial evidence. Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1248-1249 quoting Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1742.

The term REDSKINS in the registered marks when used in connection with professional football retains the meaning Native Americans. Thus, the first prong of the test, "what is the meaning of the matter" is established.

The only issue left for decision is the second question in the disparagement test (was the meaning of the marks, at the times of the registrations, one that may have disparaged Native Americans?) as it pertains to the term REDSKINS.^[42]

Having narrowed the issue to be determined, it is now necessary to understand what type of disparagement case the facts of this limited case present. We must make our determination in the context of a respondent's goods or services. Such context can:

(1) turn an innocuous term into a disparaging one, see In re Lebanese Arak Corp., 94 USPQ2d 1215, 1223 (TTAB 2010) (likely meaning of KHORAN is the Islamic holy text and use for wine disparages religion and beliefs of Muslim Americans); see also Doughboy Industries, Inc. v. The Reese Chemical Co., 88 USPQ 227 (Exm'r in Chief 1951) (Doughboy refers to World War I American soldier as reinforced by picture of soldier on packaging and use on "a prophylactic preparation for the prevention of venereal diseases" disparages the soldiers); or

(2) strip the disparaging meaning from an otherwise disparaging term, see Squaw Valley, 80 USPQ2d 1264, 1267 (SQUAW when used with ski-related goods means only the geographic location Squaw Valley ski resort and does not retain the meaning Native American woman under the first part of the test, and, as such is not disparaging; but as to non-ski-related goods and services the meaning remains Native American woman, i.e., the goods and services did not change the meaning, and the evidence was sufficient to support the second prong of the test that the term is considered disparaging as the term is used in connection with the identified goods or services); or

(3) have no effect on a term's disparaging meaning, see Heeb Media, 89 USPQ2d 1071, 1077 (applicant's good intent and inoffensive goods and services do not obviate finding that HEEB is disparaging in context of the goods and services; and disagreement within the referenced group does not erase the perception of those who find it disparaging).^[43]

Here, petitioners assert that REDSKINS is a racial slur, thus the facts do not present the Doughboy case because it is not allegedly an innocent term where the nature of the goods or services renders the mark disparaging. The facts also do not fall within the part of theSquaw Valley case where the Board reversed the refusal as to the ski-related gear because it did not pass the first prong of the test inasmuch as the word lost its allusion to Native American women when used in the ski context due to the geographic location called "Squaw Valley" and the well-known ski resort located there. Here, it is conceded by the parties and established by the record that the term REDSKINS retains its meaning "Native American" even when used with respondent's services.

Turning back, then, to the issue in this case, namely, whether the term REDSKINS was disparaging at the time of registration, the services do not have an effect on the meaning of the term, i.e., the first prong. The question is only as to the second prong, whether the term is disparaging. The facts of this case demonstrate the type of disparagement presented in Heeb and the non-ski-related goods and services portion of Squaw Valley. In other words, respondent's alleged honorable intent and manner of use of the term do not contribute to the determination of whether a substantial composite of the referenced group found REDSKINS to be a disparaging term in the context of respondent's services during the time period 1967-1990, because the services have not removed the Native American meaning from the term and intent does not affect the second prong. If it is found to be disparaging during the relevant time period, then the Trademark Act mandates removal from the register.^[44]

In presenting their case, petitioners laid out two categories of evidence to prove that the term REDSKINS, even when considered solely as used with football and cheerleading services, was disparaging during the relevant time periods: (1) a general analysis of the word; and (2) the specific views of the referenced group. In some instances these two types of evidence intersect.

As noted above, the prior Harjo case encompassed more issues as reflected by the pleadings and illustrated by the voluminous and wide-ranging record. We only focus on the evidence that most directly reflects the sentiments of Native Americans. In particular, concerning the general analysis of the word, we focus on the testimony and reports provided by the parties' respective experts, dictionary definitions and reference books. For the specific views of Native Americans, we focus on the National Congress of American Indians' ("NCAI") 1993 Resolution 93-11, the deposition of NCAI Executive Director, Ms. JoAnn Chase, the deposition of Harold Martin Gross, and various newspaper articles, reports, official records and letters.

Expert Reports

Dr. Geoffrey Nunberg served as petitioners' expert witness in linguistics, specializing in lexical semantics ("the study of the use of words and lexicography").^[45] Dr. Ronald R. Butters served as respondent's linguistic expert witness,^[46] specifically tasked by respondent to research "the evolving history of the meaning of the term redskin in American English."^[47] David K. Barnhart was respondent's expert witness in lexicography, whom respondent asked to evaluate "the term redskins in the current American usage, particularly in the context of sports."^[48] The record establishes that each of these witnesses is qualified to testify regarding the term "redskin" within the context of their specialties.^[49]

We focus on those parts of the expert reports and testimony concerning the derivation of the word redskin(s), dictionary usage labels and usage of the term "redskin(s)" over the years in various media.^[50]

1. Derivation of the Word "Redskin(s)" as Reference to Native Americans

Mr. Barnhart explains that "[t]he original (or core) meaning of the word redskin identifies the race of people found by colonizing Europeans in the 16th and 17th Centuries."^[51] In his report Mr. Barnhart confirms that ""redskin(s)" as an ethnic term refers to skin color:

It is reasonable to expect people upon encountering something new to use a term which bears on its use, size, appearance or other characteristic feature. The word red appears in a large number of terms in English. It should be noted that there is another meaning for redskin descriptive of a variety of potato. In the case of the potato it is because of its color. In the case of the people living in North America upon the arrival of Europeans it was likewise based upon appearance. . . . In recent years the sensitivities of these people have caused some speakers of English to adjust their usage of some of these terms accordingly. . . . The naturalness of the construction of the word redskin is underscored by the presence in the language of other terms with reference to color in describing the appearance of a person's skin. Blue skin is a 19th Century term used to describe blacks. See for instance Grose 1796 edition where he defines blue skin as "a person begotten of a black woman by a white man. One of the blue squadron; any one having a cross of the black breed, or, as it is termed, a lick of the tar brush." . . . Another example of this genre is darkskin for a black. Still other examples include yellow-skin for an Asian, black-skinned and brown-skinned for blacks.^[52]

In extrapolating on the concept of the use of skin color in language Mr. Barnhart testifies as follows:

Q. Do you know the word darky?

A. Yes.

Q Is that word natural in its construction insofar as it applies to complexion?

A. Yes.

Q. Is it offensive to African-Americans?

A. It can be.

Q. Is it derogatory?

A. Depending on the context, yes. But I haven't evaluated the context of darky particularly, so I would want to see some more examples and evaluate what evidence I could accumulate, yes.^[53]

The record includes two works by Irving Lewis Allen who Dr. Butters testifies is a sociologist "who has given some thought to language" and is "certainly a respectable scholar."^[54] We particularly point to the following excerpt from his book Unkind Words: Ethnic Labeling from Redskin to WASP (Bergin & Garvey 1990) p. 18:

Nearly half of all interracial slurs ...refer to real or imagined physical differences. ... Most references to physical differences are to skin color, which affirms what we have always known about the significance of color in human relations. Asian groups were called yellow this and that and Native Americans were called redskins, red men, and red devils.^[55]

2. Dictionary Usage Labels for "Redskin" Entries

The record includes several dictionary definitions (submitted separately or within the contexts of the expert reports) published during the relevant time frame of 1967 through 1990. A representative sample is set forth below:

a. Random House Dictionary of the English Language 1204 (1967):^[56] redskin n. Often Offensive. a North American Indian.

Random House Dictionary of the English Language 1204 (1973):^[57] redskin n. Often Offensive. a North American Indian.

Random House Dictionary of the English Language 1618 (2d ed. 1987):^[58] redskin n. Slang (often disparaging and offensive). a North American Indian.

b. HBJ School Dictionary (1977):^[59] redskin n. A North American Indian.

c. Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged 1513 (2d ed. 1977):^[60] red'skin, n. a North American Indian; so called from the reddish or coppery color of the skin.

c. World Book Dictionary, Vol. 2 1752 (1979):^[61] redskin (red'skin'), n., adj. North American Indian: We have had more difficulty with white desperadoes than with redskins (Theodore Roosevelt).

d. Oxford American Dictionary 564 (1980):^[62] redskin n. (contemptuous) a North American Indian.

e. Oxford English Dictionary 429 (2d ed. 1989):^[63] redskin. Also red-skin [See red a. 5c.] 1. A North American Indian. (Not the preferred term.).

We further note the earliest restrictive usage label in dictionary definitions in Mr. Barnhart's report dates back to 1966 from the Random House Unabridged First Edition indicating REDSKIN is "Often Offensive." From 1986 on, all of the entries presented by Mr. Barnhart include restrictive usage labels ranging from "not the preferred term" to "often disparaging and offensive."^[64]

All of the experts referenced, either by testimony or in their expert reports, the seminal work in lexicography, Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography, written by Sydney I. Landau and first published in 1984.^[65] Mr. Barnhart, the lexicographer, explained that usage labels are a "[r]eflection of the opinion of the editor in chief ... But some people that are in lexicography have been known to be less stalwart and have caved into suggestions from non-editorial sources."^[66] He explains that "unlabeled terms are standard and labeled terms are labeled for some particular character."^[67] Mr. Barnhart explained that the "basic and longstanding practice in lexicography which deals with noteworthy ranges of usage of any given entry term is to label those instances of terms when the usage deviates from 'Standard English."'^[68] According to Mr. Barnhart, a term is generally "assumed to be 'Standard' if it is unlabeled."^[69] However, there are times when a word "is worthy of special attention, a label (usually in italic type) is included in the entry."^[70]

Mr. Barnhart explains that there is no standardized method in the field of lexicography regarding restrictive usage labeling.

There are no agreed upon criteria for finding some usages vulgarly offensive or contemptuous or abusive. There are few studies that shed any light on the degree of offensiveness of specified terms under specified conditions.^[71]

Each expert points to the influence of outside forces, or "pressure groups" on the adoption of usage labels by dictionary editors. For example, Dr. Butters testifies that sociologists, historians, and anthropologists applied ""sociopolitical pressure" regarding the use of the term "redskin" on dictionary editors and "that any dictionary that labels redskin as a derogatory term is doing so, at least indirectly, as a result of, at least in large part, sociopolitical pressure."^[72] This phenomenon is also recognized in the reference works relied on by the experts.^[73]

As part of his research, Mr. Barnhart reviewed dictionary entries for the term "redskin" between 1859 and 1992. He found no restrictive usage labels for the term "redskin" in any dictionaries prior to 1965.^[74] Beginning in 1966 Mr. Barnhart's reviewed dictionary entries start to include usage labels indicating the term is offensive. See Random House Unabridged (1st ed. 1966). From that time on, more publishers include such labels at an increasing rate. By 1983, all of Mr. Barnhart's examples include a usage label indicating it is offensive.^[75] Mr. Barnhart's conclusion only references labels that use the word disparaging:

Since 1966, the labeling of the term has been erratic at worst and inconsistent at best. Of the twenty-eight dictionaries consulted which appeared between 1966 and 1992, ten editors reported the term as "standard English". Only two dictionaries have identified the term redskin as " "disparaging".^[76]

However, we consider the usage labels that employ the term "offensive" also to support the legal conclusion under Section 2(a) that a term is ""disparaging." Therefore, Mr. Barnhart's conclusion is based on too narrow a construction because he views the label "disparaging" as requiring intent.^[77] As noted above, for the purposes of our legal review intent does not figure into the equation. More significantly, we disagree that the labeling is erratic and inconsistent. Rather it shows a clear trend beginning in 1966 to label this term as offensive and by 1986 the dictionaries are unanimous.

Mr. Barnhart also found that among dictionary editors' labels "there has been a sensitivity to how people react to that term [redskin] now."^[78] In his expert report, Mr. Barnhart made the following conclusion based on his evaluation of the term "redskin" as it appears in various dictionary entries during the relevant time frame:

[T]he use of the term redskin, in its core meaning and as recorded in dictionaries, is usually recognized among lexicographers as 'Standard English' which means that it is acceptable in both formal and informal speech or writing of educated people.^[79]

This conclusion stands in contrast to the trend in usage labels during the relevant time period discussed above and the severe drop-off in usage discussed below. It is also contradicted by his statement in the same report that:

The record of dictionary editors' opinions as reflected in the labeling of usage for the term redskin suggests that during the latter third of this century there has developed some change in the perceived usage of the term.^[80]

We further note Mr. Barnhart is addressing usage by the general population and not from the viewpoint of Native Americans.

In his expert report, Dr. Butters opined that "sporadic labeling of redskin as 'offensive' is of dubious value in assessing the tone and full meaning of redskin(s) in past and present American culture."^[81] Dr. Butter's ultimate conclusion is of limited probative value in that it pertains to general "American culture" rather than to the Native American viewpoint. In 1996, Dr. Butters testified as to the following:

In the last 10 or 15 years, one begins to see in dictionaries the--in some dictionaries the labeling of the term redskin as sometimes offensive. One also begins to see in very recent years references to the use of the term redskin as a possibly offensive term. So that there is this, what I would say--my conclusion is a very recent incipient change.^[82]

This statement recognizes the trend in usage labels during a portion of the relevant time period.

3. Use of the term Redskins in Various Media

The record shows wide usage of the term in various media prior to the late sixties and very sporadic usage thereafter. A few examples are set forth below:

Merrit Meets the Enemy. Victory over our Frontier Foes. Thirty-Seven Redskins Sent to the Happy Hunting Grounds. The Indian Problem Reaching a Conclusion. Rocky Mountain News (October 8, 1879);^[83]

And excited by firewater they dug up their rusty hatchets and prepared for blood and thunder. 'Ugh,' said every greasy redskin ... Rocky Mountain News (November 19, 1890);^[84]

"Fort Wicked" Too Tough for Redskins . . . Headline from Rocky Mountain News (October 21, 1931);^[85]

"Good luck, get a redskin for me." Excerpt from the 1940 movie Northwest Passage;^[86]

"There is reason in her words!" at length broke from his compressed and trembling lips; "ay, and they bear the spirit of Christianity; what might be right and proper in a redskin, may be sinful in a man who has not even a cross in blood to plead for his ignorance."^[87]

Indian Fights on the Texas Frontier: A True Account of the Last Exciting Encounters with Redskins in Hamilton, Comanche, Brown, Erath and Adjoining Counties (Fort Worth: Pioneer Pub. Co. 1927); Fighting Rebels and Redskins: Experiences in Army Life of Colonel George B. Sanford, 1861-1892 (Univ. of Oklahoma Press 1969); Bluecoats and Redskins: The United States Army and the Indian 1866-1891 (London: Cassall, 1975); Flashman and the Redskins (New York: Knopf/Random House 1982).^[88]

Dr. Nunberg conducted several searches of an electronic database featuring articles from major newspapers and magazines published between approximately 1975 through 1989 to glean information about use of the word "redskins" in the context of Native Americans.^[89]According to Dr. Nunberg, "newspapers and television use have a particular influence on the way words are used and [help] shape the general impressions of the meanings of those [words]."^[90]

Dr. Nunberg reported that the database search results showed 136,473 instances of "redskin," "redskins," and other words beginning with "redskin," such as "redskinnettes," with the "vast majority" involving references to the Washington Redskins.^[91] Dr. Nunberg then conducted a focused search, filtering out terms such as "team," "sport," "Redskin Park," "football," ""game," "fan," and "ticket," to yield results of those instances when the word ""redskin" was used to refer to a Native American person.^[92] This search resulted in approximately 300 references, although some of these still referred to the Washington Redskins, potatoes and peaches.^[93]

Dr. Nunberg reviewed the focused search results by hand and found "71 distinct stories in which the word was used to refer to Indians."^[94] According to Dr. Nunberg, none of these 71 occurrences demonstrated use of ""redskin" as a standard term to refer to a Native American,^[95] indicating that "the word is not a 'neutral synonym' for Indian"^[96] Of those occurrences, many examples use the term in the context of racial slurs or discrimination, for example:

If Mr. Liles went back in history to when the 13 colonies were being organized, he would have seen that "redskin" was not used to convey respect, adulation or honor.^[97]

A man who resigned from the Pulaski County sheriff's office because of alleged harassment as an American Indian has won $24,727 in a race discrimination lawsuit. . . . He said he was called "chief," "Indian Joe" and "redskin."^[98]

More significant than the relatively small number of uses as a reference to Native Americans, and many of those in the context of racial slurs, is the relative absence of use of the term to describe a person. Dr. Nunberg found it significant that this search yielded so few results showing the term "redskin" as a reference to a Native American:

There were in this database over 74,000 instances of the phrase 'American Indian' or 'American Indians.' And over 73,000 instances to the phrase ' 'Native Americans,' a disproportion of about 2,000 to 1 which suggests that the use of 'redskin' to refer to Indian is extremely rare in this database which suggests some reason for avoiding the term since it is, in fact, a commonly used term, for example, in the cinema and historical sources.^[99]

Respondent objects to Dr. Nunberg's opinion as irrelevant because it is lacking in scientific basis. However, we do not rely on Dr. Nunberg's ultimate opinions and conclusions regarding the word "redskins," rather we look to the underlying data that is not in dispute which undeniably shows a drop-off in usage. This is corroborated by respondent's expert, Mr. Barnhart who conducted a similar electronic database search, discussed infra. As to the data, respondent's objection that the "uses that date from outside the pertinent time periods [are irrelevant] and are not reflective of Native Americans' viewpoints," is overruled.^[100] As noted above, the search encompasses the relevant time period, and is relevant in correlation to objection to use of this term by Native Americans.

Mr. Barnhart conducted a similar search using a Nexis electronic database group file featuring major newspapers, magazines and journals published between 1969 and 1996.^[101] He found that the term "redskin" or "redskins" appeared in 143,920 articles at least once.^[102] Similar to Dr. Nunberg's initial search results, Mr. Barnhart reported that the results of his "redskin" database search were "overwhelming to be in the context of sports," with less than two percent of the results referring to Native Americans.^[103]

Mr. Barnhart would not draw any inferences about the infrequency in which the term "redskin" or "redskins" was used to refer to Native Americans. He testified that it was not what he was asked to do and it would be a significantly greater project to determine whether there is any significance to the lack of occurrences.^[104] However, in his report he did, in fact, draw conclusions, when he concluded that the term REDSKIN "is acceptable in both formal and informal speech or writing of educated people."^[105] The conclusion he drew was that its absence from the database references somehow supports, or at least does not refute, his finding that the term is part of standard English and acceptable for formal and informal speech or writing. Such a conclusion stands in contradiction to the stark drop off in usage as shown by Dr. Nunberg's research and supported by Mr. Barnhart's own research which shows, inter alia, use of the term in many literary sources until 1969 where his search of the Nexis database spanning the years 1969-1996 reveals only 2 percent of the appearances of "redskin(s)" related to "Amerindians" (96 percent referenced respondent's team and 2 percent referenced Miami University's former team name), and the addition of the usage labels in the dictionaries during the same time period. Mr. Barnhart confirms that for the last thirty years (from 1967 to 1997 the date of the deposition) "the overwhelming context in which the term redskins is used in general literature" is in a sports context.^[106] To the extent respondent relies on this data to show that because it is printed in newspapers reporting on the professional football team by that name it is not disparaging in that context, Mr. Barnhart testified that his report is not based on Native American response to the term in this context, therefore, we cannot rely on this data to make such a finding or to even raise doubt about other findings, regarding the viewpoint of Native Americans.

Mr. Barnhart testifies that while the term "redskin(s)" was not disparaging "as applied to American Indian persons" in 1967-1985 it might have been offensive.^[107] As noted above, Mr. Barnhart attaches intent of the speaker to the word disparaging and his view of offensive is more in line with the meaning of disparaging in the context of Section 2(a).

NCAI Resolution

The Executive Council of the National Congress of American Indians ("NCAI"), "the oldest and largest intertribal organization nationwide representative of and advocate for national, regional, and local tribal concerns," passed a resolution in 1993, entitled the "Resolution in Support of the Petition for Cancellation of the Registered Services Marks of the Washington Redskins AKA Pro-Football Inc."^[108] The resolution includes in pertinent part the following:

NCAI is the oldest and largest intertribal organization nationwide representative of and advocate for national, regional, and local tribal concerns; . . . .

[T]he term REDSKINS is not and has never been one of honor or respect, but instead, it has always been and continues to be a pejorative, derogatory, denigrating, offensive, scandalous, contemptuous, disreputable, disparaging and racist designation for Native American's [sic]; and

[T]he use of the registered service marks identified in Exhibit B to this resolution by the Washington Redskins football organization, has always been and continues to be offensive, disparaging, scandalous, and damaging to Native Americans.^[109]

Respondent objects to the NCAI resolution "as irrelevant, to the extent that it dates from a time period not relevant to issues in this proceeding."^[110] Respondent further asserts that the District Court found it ""irrelevant to the calculus."^[111] The full quote from the District Court is set forth below:

All of these resolutions were made after the relevant time frame, with no explanation by the TTAB as to how they 'shed light' on the relevant time period, and thus, are irrelevant to the calculus . . . [and] the TTAB made no findings of fact about the strength of this evidence.

Pro-Football, Inc. v Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1255.

We begin by stating that there is no question as to the authenticity or identity of this document. The stipulation by the parties is clear and unequivocal "all evidence admissible in [Harjo] shall be admissible in this proceeding" and only objections as to relevance were preserved for the evidence covered under paragraph one of the stipulation.^[112] The testimony by Ms. Chase, discussed infra, regarding the procedures by which the NCAI Executive Council passes its resolutions and as stated in the NCAI by-laws, and the other evidence of record showing NCAI membership (referenced infra in the findings of fact), is sufficient to support the credibility, reliability and trustworthiness of the resolution.^[113] In addition, Ms. Chase's testimony along with other evidence sets out the circumstances under which the resolution was passed, i.e., that approximately 150 tribes were represented by NCAI at that time and at least one third of the tribal members were present to pass the resolution.^[114]

With regard to respondent's relevancy objection, any statement made after each registration issued is not a statement from the time of registration; thus, based on respondent's logic even testimony taken from individuals in 1993-1996 (i.e., during the Harjo litigation) would be statements about the witnesses' opinions during the years 1967-1990, and as such, would be irrelevant. However, the mere fact that an opinion is voiced in 1993 does not mean the opinion was not held by that group or individual in the 1967-1990 time period. In Harjo, we note, the opinions about views from 1967-1990 given by the individual plaintiffs through testimony were accepted, by both the Board and the District Court.^[115] Here, we have a claim that the registered marks disparaged Native Americans when registered. We find that a resolution passed by an organization such as NCAI, which throughout the relevant time period represented approximately thirty percent of Native Americans, setting forth the past and ongoing viewpoint of the Native Americans it represents is clearly probative of the views of Native Americans held at the referenced time period.^[116] We accept individual testimony about views held in the past, therefore we accept a group statement about views held in the past, in particular here where the claim pertains to the views of a group and not individuals.^[117] Respondent's objection on the basis of relevancy is overruled.

Deposition of JoAnn Chase

JoAnn Chase, a Native American,^[118] became Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians on April 1, 1994, and provided testimony in 1996 about Resolution 93-11.^[119] Respondent's objection to Ms. Chase's testimony as being irrelevant because the NCAI resolution dates from a time period not relevant to this proceeding is overruled. Her testimony relates to the NCAI resolution that specifically addresses the time period with which we are concerned. Her testimony also provides contemporary and historical background on the organization.

Deposition of Harold Gross

In 1972, Harold Martin Gross was the Director of Indian Legal Information Development Service, a legislative oversight program.^[120]The mission of the Indian Legal Information Development Service was two-fold: (1) to provide career training to Native Americans in the fields of journalism, law and public affairs in the legislative process; and to provide legislative information to Native American tribes through a monthly magazine.^[121] The staff was comprised of Native Americans. Mr. Gross testified that they asked him to help them change the name of the Washington Redskins football team because "it was disparaging, insulting and degrading to American Indians."^[122] In January 1972, Mr. Gross drafted a letter on behalf of his staff and sent it to Edward Bennett Williams, who was then part-owner and president of the Washington Redskins football team.^[123] That letter led to a March meeting with Mr. Williams.^[124]

The following people attended that meeting along with Mr. Gross:^[125]

1. Richard LaCourse, a representative of the Washington Bureau of the American Indian Press Association;

2. Leon Cook, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI);

3. Ron Aguilar, District Representative of the National Indian Youth Council;

4. Dennis Banks, District Representative of the American Indian Movement;

5. Hany Geigomah, Assistant to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the Youth Representative from the Bureau of Indian Affairs;

6. Laura Wittstock, Legislative Review Editor of the Indian Legal Information Development Service; and

7. LaDonna Harris, President of the Americans for Indian Opportunity.

At the meeting, the Native American attendees expressed their "reasons for objecting to the name of the team, and some of the trappings that went with it. And to present the reasons why [they] thought it should be changed."^[126]

Respondent objects to Mr. Gross' testimony and exhibits (e.g., the letter to Mr. Williams) as irrelevant because "the organization he formerly represented comprised at most seven Native American members and itself did not represent any Native American tribe or organization."^[127] The objection is overruled. The opinions of seven Native Americans expressed during the relevant time period are obviously relevant to the merits of the petition. Moreover, we do not rely on the testimony for the viewpoint of the Indian Legal Information Development Service, the organization Mr. Gross represented. Rather, we rely on this testimony and evidence to show that NCAI's opposition to use of the word "redskins" with respondent's services existed as early as 1972, well in advance of the 93-11 resolution and during the relevant time period. NCAI's president, Mr. Leon Cook, participated in that meeting and supported the position that respondent should cease use of the name "Redskins." The "Recommendations to the Washington, D.C. Professional Football Team" from "Leon F. Cook, President, National Congress of American Indians," et al., include the following:

1. That the derogatory racial epithet "Redskins" be withdrawn as a team nickname for the professional football team of Washington, D.C.^[128]

In 1972, NCAI represented approximately 30 percent of Native Americans. An article published in the Washington Daily News on March 30, 1972, discussing the meeting with Edward Bennett Williams includes the following excerpt:

After Petite's fist shaking speech, Williams closed this first meeting with the American Indians who claim his team nickname, 'Redskins' is a racial slur. The eleven Indian representatives included ... Leon Cook, president of the National Congress of American Indians which claims a membership of 300,000; Dennis J. Banks, national chairman of the American Indian Movement.^[129]

In addition, an article published in The Washington Post on Thursday March 30, 1972 includes the following:

A DELEGATION OF 11 people representing a variety of Indian organizations ... Among the group ... requesting that 'the derogatory racial epithet 'Redskins" be banished from the Washington sports scene were ...Leon Cook, president of the National Congress of American Indians which claims a membership of 350,000 Indians, according to the protesting group's informal leader, Harold Gross, an attorney for another Indian organization.^[130]

Harold Gross testified that he worked for NCAI in 1969 and would have first-hand knowledge as to the membership in that time period.^[131] This evidence regarding NCAI's membership in the relevant time period, as well as its participation in the 1972 meeting serves to corroborate the statement in the 93-11 resolution that the term REDSKINS as used by the Washington Redskins "has always been ... offensive, disparaging, scandalous, and damaging to Native Americans."^[132]

NCAI's decades-long challenge to the term "Redskins" is referenced in an article in the Lakota Times published September 16, 1992:

The National Congress of American Indians has been battling against the racist use of Indians as mascots for decades. The battle has been uphill all the way because mainstream America does not see the term [Redskins] as offensive -- because they are not American Indians. ... Mr. Deloria who directed NCAI in the 1960's and spoke out on the mascot issue then ... The grounds for cancellation of the federal registration include: The term ' 'Redskin' ... is ... disparaging.^[133]

Other evidence provides information regarding NCAI's opposition to the name "Redskins" for the football team and the number of Native Americans represented by NCAI during the relevant time period. The state of Michigan issued a report addressing the use of Indian names and mascots in October 1988.^[134] The purpose of this report was to examine the presence of Native American stereotyping in Michigan education institutions. The Commission surveyed colleges, universities, high schools and junior high/middle schools.^[135] In addition, the Commission contacted Native American organizations in Michigan to solicit feedback on stereotyping of Native Americans.^[136] Respondent apparently lodged several objections to this report (it is included by bates numbers in the objections to documents referred to as "correspondence"); however, we only rely on the following reference in 1988 to NCAI in this report and there is no objection to that information.

The National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest national Indian group in the U.S. also supports this organization's efforts to have the Washington team's name changed.^[137]

In April 1993, the Miami University Senate held meetings to determine whether or not to abandon their team name REDSKINS, which they ultimately did. Dr. Britton Harwood made the following statement:

The National Congress of American Indians, representing approximately 150 tribal governments, calls it [redskin] a racial slur.^[138]

This number is further corroborated a June 3, 1991 letter from Dale Pullen, publisher of The U.S. Congress Handbook to Charlie Drayton, the Vice President of Communications for the Washington Redskins, submitted by respondent to show Native American support of the team.^[139] In his letter, Mr. Pullen wrote the following:

The National American Indian Council, representing 70 per cent of the American Indian population, would like 400 U.S. CONGRESS HANDBOOKS for their D.C. meeting beginning June 7.

Ms. Lee Ann Tallbear, Executive Director, for the NAIC, called to see how she might get books . . . .

Ms. Tallbear said that her group represents about 1.2 million American Indians who do not live on reservations. The National Congress of American Indians represent [sic] Indians living on reservations (the remaining 30 percent).

In 1995, there were approximately 500 recognized tribes in the United States; 150 would have been about one third in 1993.^[140] Ms. Chase also testified that there were between 100 -- 400 members at the time the resolution was taken.^[141]

We further note that in addition to NCAI, the American Indian Movement (AIM) was represented at the 1972 meeting. AIM was founded in 1968 as stated in the following letter from Clyde H. Bellecourt, National Director of the AIM and William A. Means, President of International Indian Treaty Council, to Jack Kent Cooke^[142] dated December 20, 1991:

The American Indian movement (AIM) is the foremost advocacy organization representing and defending the spiritual, cultural, political and treaty rights of the Indigenous (Indian) peoples in all of North, Central and South America. ... The American Indian Movement, which was reborn here in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1968 ... The efforts by Indian people to cleanse organized sports, both within major league baseball, the national football league and hockey, as well high school and university athletic programs has been ongoing for years. ... We have received hundreds of calls and letters both national and international in support of our efforts to change these demeaning names (i.e. Washington Redskins) ... by sports teams and athletic programs.^[143]

Letters of Protest

Petitioners submitted 19 letters from individuals identifying themselves or family members as Native Americans from across the United States representing a geographic cross section (South Dakota, Virginia, Florida, Nebraska, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Georgia, Illinois),^[144] letters from three Native American organizations,^[145] one letter from the Otoe-Missouria Tribe,^[146] in which they protested the use of the term "Redskins" by respondent.^[147] A representative sample of excerpts from individual letters is set forth below:

Since you continue not to believe that the term "Redskins" is not [sic] offensive to anyone, let me make this clear: The name "Redskins" is very offensive to me and shows little human interest or taste. I am a Comanche Indian from Oklahoma. Indians are having enough trouble trying to erase misconceptions about themselves without having to be hit in the face with it every day in the form of a football team or baseball team. If you think you are preserving our culture or your history, then may I suggest a change? To live up to your name, your team would field only two men to the opponents eleven. Your player's wives would be required to face the men of the opposing team. After having lost every game in good faith, you would be required to remain in RFK stadium's end zone for the rest of your life living off what the other teams had left you. (Which wouldn't be much.) Since you would probably find this as distasteful as 300,000 Indians do, I would suggest a change in name. In sticking to your ethnic theme, I would suggest the Washington Niggers as a start. ... This would start a fantastic trend in the league. We would soon be blessed with the San Fransisco [sic] Chinks, New York Jews, Dallas Wetbacks, Houston Greasers, and the Green Bay Crackers. Great, huh? Mr. Williams, these would be very offensive to many people, just as Redskins is offensive to myself and others. You can take a stand that would show you and the team as true believers in civil rights, or you can continue to carry a name that keeps alive a threatening stereotype to Indian people. People, Mr. Williams. We don't want the Redskins!^[148]

... I, along with many other Native Americans, have tried over many years to reduce the level of opprobrium and prejudice surrounding

American attitutes [sic] toward Native peoples. I urge that you consider an immediate change of name for your team and that your new name reflect in no way unfavorably on any of our national or ethnic groups.^[149]

... I must say that I am appalled at your [Jack Kent Cooke] callous attitude and comments concerning this issue. As a Native American I can assure you that I find the term "Redskin" offensive and derogatory. I don't mind telling you that I find the name of your team totally objectionable. ... I feel you've gotten off lightly with the concerns for this issue because the Indian population is not as large or vocal as the other minorities of this country. Because we are not highly visible that does not mean you can count us out of the human race. We deserve the right to be treated with equal respect and consideration that is entitled to any race. ... Would you be offended if someone called you or a family member a derogatory racial nickname? Some of these nicknames are: honkie, wop, kraut, chink, potato head and nigger. When a Native American is referred to as a "redskin" then you are in essence calling them a name that is just as bad as those above. Would you be offended by any of these names? If so, then please reconsider your position. You people in Washington take so much care not to offend the minorities [in] your city. I don't understand why this same care and consideration isn't extended to other races in this country.^[150]

I object to the use of "redskins" for a football team.^[151]

I am an Oglala Sioux Indian living here on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I am writing this letter concerning a matter that I feel is very important I believe that the name "Redskins," is very demeaning to my Indian people. ... Thank you for your kind attention to the matter.^[152]

... As a member of the Oneida tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, I find the team name [Redskins] very offensive and more of an ethnic slur which should have never been placed with the proud symbol of the team. ... I am a big fan of the team and it's collection of extraordinary talent, however, I remain adamantly opposed to the organization [sic] keeping the current team name.^[153]

The Washington Redskins must go! No, not the team, but the name, which is totally demeaning of Native Americans and reinforces a negative stereotype that is unjust and unwarranted. The term "redskins" is out of a period when there was a bounty on the heads of Indians and they were scalped. Eighty cents for a man's skin, 60 cents for a woman's skin and 20 cents for a child's skin. It is a period in our history that every American should be ashamed of and the continued use of such a derogatory and offensive term is an abomination. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the only Native American in the U.S. Senate, says that "the name Redskins carries the same negative connotation as some terms that blacks and whites find offensive. The word brings to mind a negative image of uncivilized persons and has no positive meaning." Therefore, Mr. Cooke, despite your insistence to the contrary, there is no pride or honor associated with the name. The controversy is something that will not go away, will not disappear until the term "redskin" is banished from our vocabulary. ... ps. Being of direct Native American descent, I find the name especially offensive.^[154]

All but one of the letters were written at the end or just after the relevant time period, but do evidence the opinion of individual Native Americans across the United States, providing further corroboration that the viewpoint in the NCAI resolution represents a cross-section of Native Americans. We have not considered the at least 150 letters from individuals other than Native Americans protesting the use of the name Redskins.^[155] Inasmuch as our determination of the issue of disparagement concerns the views of Native Americans, the 150 letters from non-Native Americans have limited probative value. While they may serve to indicate a broader consensus regarding the word, which may add to the weight of the evidence, we do not find it necessary to rely on this evidence.

Respondent's Evidence of Support for the Name

On January 16, 1992, the chief of the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma sent the Washington Redskins a copy of the Inter-Tribal Council (comprising the Miami, Ottawa, Modoc, Peoria and Seneca-Cayuga Tribes of Oklahoma) "Resolution Supporting Use of Team Name 'Redskins' by the Professional Football Team in Washington, D.C.," approving the name "as a positive image depicting Native American culture and heritage."^[156]

In October 1991, the chairman of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, Stanley G. Jones Sr., sent a letter to Senator John McCain, then-Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, stating that "[m]any of us are proud that sport teams use us and our symbols to represent them. . . . We are not offended by the Washington football team being called the Redskins."^[157]

The "Tribal Leader of the Soboba Band of Indians located in San Jacinto, California," Robert J. Salgado, sent a letter to Jack Kent Cooke, in January 1992, stating that he had "been impressed [by] the manner in which the Washington Redskins have portrayed the American Indian," and further stating his support for the team.^[158]

The chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Hollis E. Roberts, sent a letter to the Washington Redskins Communications Department in January 1992, which covered the history of the Choctaws and connected that history with the use of American Indian names and images by sports teams.^[159] Chief Roberts stated:

Sports teams traditionally adopt a namesake and image which they perceive as noble and powerful. The Washington Redskins is a team . . . that Indian people can be proud to be identified with.^[160]

The chief concluded by expressing his support "of the Washington football team, the 'Redskins."'^[161]

The Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Jerry G. Haney, sent a letter to Jack Kent Cooke in January 1992, expressing that the use of the "Redskins" name by the Washington football team is a source of pride.^[162]

The Vice President of the Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of Salt River in Scottsdale, Arizona, Merna L. Lewis, sent a letter to Ms. Jo Walter regarding the use of the name "Naperville Redskins" by a high school in Illinois.^[163] Ms. Lewis wrote that her Native American community did not object to the Naperville school using the name "Redskins" so long as it was used with honor and respect.

The principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, Jonathan L. Taylor, also sent a letter to Ms. Jo Walter in July 1992, regarding the use of the name "Naperville Redskins."^[164] Chief Taylor wrote that the use of the name "Redskins" by the school was a "great honor for all Native Americans."^[165]

A 1992 newspaper article reported that the Mattaponi tribe did not object to the use of the name "Redskins" by the Washington football team. The tribal chief of the Mattaponi of King William County, Virginia, Webster "Little Eagle" Custalow, is quoted as saying that his tribe did not "disapprove of that name at all. The only thing I've asked them to do is to wear the helmets proudly. There's an Indian head dress on the helmet and I asked them to keep that helmet high and not rub it in the dirt."^[166]

The record also includes evidence regarding Native Americans using the word "redskins" in connection with their own sports teams:

A sign at a Navajo Indian Reservation school: Red Mesa High School Home of the Redskins, with the photograph taken in 1989 and sent by Robert D. Kahn to Jack Kent Cooke on November 4, 1991;^[167]

A sports article in the April 30, 2010 issue of the Seminole Tribune (Fla.), referencing the "Lady Redskins" as one of the teams involved in a tribal basketball tournament.^[168]

Respondent also points out that its seventeenth draft pick in 1956 was Eagle Day, who was part of the Cherokee tribe.^[169] Day began his career with the Washington Redskins in 1959, as reported in this Washington Daily News article:

[IMAGE OMITTED]

When he arrived at training camp in July 1959, the Washington Daily News reported that "Eagle Day is an Indian who has always wanted to be a Redskin," quoting Day as saying "I'm finally getting a chance to do what I wanted in the first place--play for the Redskins."^[170]

Based on our review of the record within the confines of this narrow case and taking into consideration the stipulations that all evidence deemed admissible in Harjo is of record and all hearsay objections are waived to allow consideration of documents for the truth of the matter asserted,^[171] we find the following facts in the two categories.

FINDINGS OF FACT

General Analysis of the Word^[172]

1. The word REDSKIN on its face is and always has been a racial designation.^[173]

2. The word REDSKINS is a plural of the word REDSKIN.^[174]

3. The word REDSKIN on its face refers to the real or imagined skin color of Native Americans.^[175]

4. Racial slurs often refer to real or imagined physical differences.^[176]

5. Dictionary usage labels signal that a word is not part of standard vocabulary.^[177]

6. Before 1966 no dictionary in this record included a usage label for the term REDSKIN.^[178]

7. Beginning in 1966 and continuing to 1990, usage labels in dictionaries indicating the term REDSKIN to be offensive, disparaging, contemptuous or not preferred, first appear and then grow in number.^[179]

8. From 1983 on, all dictionary entries in the Barnhart report include a usage label indicating the term is offensive, disparaging, contemptuous or not preferred.^[180]

9. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was founded in 1944.^[181]

10. The record shows that NCAI began advocating against use of respondent's name REDSKINS, in the 1960's.^[182]

11. The advocacy organization American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded in 1968 and its effort to rid sports teams of Indian names, including respondent's name REDSKINS, has been ongoing for decades.^[183]

12. Usage labels sometimes result from pressure groups trying to influence the lexicographer.^[184]

13. From the mid-1960's to 1996, the word 'redskin(s)' has dropped out of written and most spoken language as a reference to Native Americans.^[185]

14. From at least the mid-1960's to 1996, the words 'Native American,' "Indian,' and 'American Indian' are used in spoken and written language to refer to Native Americans.^[186]

15. The usage labels appear and the use of the word redskin(s) disappears because it is increasingly recognized that the term is offensive and disparaging during the relevant time period as Native Americans raise awareness about the offensive nature of the term redskin(s).

Native American Objection to Use of the Word Redskins for Football Teams

16. Since 1994, Jo Ann Chase has been the Executive Director of the NCAI.^[187]

17. The membership of the NCAI consists of Native American tribes and individuals.^[188]

18. Member tribes, through resolution, designate a delegate for the purpose of representing them in NCAI and voting on NCAI resolutions.^[189]

19. The Executive Council of NCAI consists of the official representative delegates of the member tribes of the organization.^[190]

20. The Executive Council is the decision-making entity for the organization.^[191]

21. The member tribes vote on resolutions by voice vote which are usually unanimous.^[192]

22. The quorum for the Executive Council is one third of the member tribes of the organization.^[193]

23. The delegates attending the Executive Council vote on behalf of the tribes.^[194]

24. Resolutions are read out before the membership prior to the vote.^[195]

25. Resolutions are the policy of the NCAI.^[196]

26. In 1996, 206 tribes were NCAI members.^[197]

27. Approximately 150 tribes were members in 1993.^[198]

28. On January 18-19, 1993 NCAI passed resolution 93-11 which reads in pertinent part:

NCAI is the oldest and largest intertribal organization nationwide representative of and advocate for national, regional, and local tribal concerns; ...

[T]he term REDSKINS is not and has never been one of honor or respect, but instead, it has always been and continues to be a pejorative, derogatory, denigrating, offensive, scandalous, contemptuous, disreputable, disparaging and racist designation for Native American's [sic] and

[T]he use of the registered service marks identified in Exhibit B to this resolution by the Washington Redskins football organization, has always been and continues to be offensive, disparaging, scandalous, and damaging to Native Americans.^[199]

29. This resolution represents the view of the member tribes that the word REDSKINS has always been disparaging as used for the name of a football team, this includes 1967-1990.^[200]

30. The president of NCAI is elected by the membership.^[201]

31. In 1972 the president of NCAI, as a representative of NCAI, met with Edward Bennett Williams (then owner of the team) requesting that the team cease use of the name REDSKINS because it is disparaging.^[202]

32. In 1972, the president of NCAI, along with others, requested that "the derogatory racial epithet "Redskins" be withdrawn as a team nickname...."^[203]

33. In 1972, NCAI represented approximately 300,000 Native Americans out of approximately 792,730.^[204]

34. NCAI has been in existence since 1944 and between 1972 and 1993, a span of twenty years, the record shows that NCAI has represented approximately one third of Native Americans. It is reasonable to infer that NCAI represented approximately one third of Native Americans merely five years earlier in 1967.

35. NCAI objected to respondent's use of the word REDSKINS in the late 1960's.^[205]

36. NCAI objected to respondent's use of the word REDSKINS in 1972.^[206]

37. NCAI objected to respondent's use of the word REDSKINS in 1988.^[207]

38. NCAI objected to respondent's use of the word REDSKINS in 1992.^[208]

39. NCAI objected to respondent's use of the word REDSKINS in 1993.

CONCLUSIONS

As noted above, as was found in the Harjo case, both by the Board and the District Court, and conceded by respondent, "the meaning of the matter in question," retains the core meaning Native American when used as the name of respondent's sports team. More specifically, the term "redskin(s)" as used by respondent in its registered marks when used in connection with professional football retains the "likely meaning" Native Americans. Much of respondent's evidence is directed to the first part of the test. Respondent's argument regarding "secondary meaning" in the sense that it has "a secondary or alternate meaning" denoting a football team, is not persuasive in that the ""secondary meaning" has not stripped the word "redskins" of its "ethnic" meaning.^[209] See Squaw Valley, at 1282 (emphasis added) (Squaw Valley ski resort meaning of squaw is "likely meaning" "rather than the meaning of Native American woman or wife").^[210]

We turn then to the second question, "was the meaning one that may have disparaged" a substantial composite, which need not be a majority, of Native Americans, at the times of the registrations. The crux of this case is whether or not this record supports petitioners' contention that the answer to that question is yes. Respondent contends that it does not and characterizes the record as, at most, showing a handful of individuals (the Harjo petitioners, the current petitioners, the letter writers, a few individuals from various organizations) who have their own individual opinion. Such a characterization, however, ignores, and is contradicted by the substantial evidence of record.

NCAI Resolution 93-11 represents the views of a substantial composite of Native Americans. NCAI consists of member tribes from across the United States and they voice their collective opinion through the Executive Council by resolutions. A resolution from the oldest Native American organization composed of tribes from across the United States and structured in a manner to represent the collective opinion of its membership through resolutions is strong evidence of the views of Native Americans.^[211] The NCAI members throughout the relevant time period represent approximately 30 percent of Native Americans.^[212]

The statement about Native Americans' past views of the word REDSKINS in the 1993 resolution is corroborated by the meeting held with the former owner Edward Bennett Williams in 1972. At the meeting, the president of NCAI at the time, Mr. Leon Cook, represented that Native Americans find the term REDSKINS to be a racial slur. Respondent characterizes Mr. Cook's views as solely his own and opines that he merely represented himself at this meeting. The president of NCAI is elected by the membership to represent them. It is unreasonable and illogical to characterize the views regarding something of importance to the members of an organization as only belonging to that individual president where he is attending in his capacity as the president of that organization. It is equally unreasonable and illogical to reduce Mr. Cook's representative capacity in such a manner. His attendance at this meeting was, not surprisingly, referenced as representing an Indian organization, both by the press and by Mr. Williams himself.^[213]

The trend in dictionary usage labels also corroborates the time frame of objections from Native Americans starting in the late sixties and continuing through the nineties as lexicographers begin and finally uniformly label the term as "offensive" or "disparaging."^[214] The recognition that this racial designation based on skin color is disparaging to Native Americans is also demonstrated by the near complete drop-off in usage of "redskins" as a reference to Native Americans beginning in the 1960's.

The record establishes that, at a minimum, approximately thirty percent of Native Americans found the term REDSKINS used in connection with respondent's services to be disparaging at all times including 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978 and 1990. Section 2(a) prohibits registration of matter that disparages a substantial composite, which need not be a majority, of the referenced group. Thirty percent is without doubt a substantial composite. To determine otherwise means it is acceptable to subject to disparagement 1 out of every 3 individuals, or as in this case approximately 626,095 out of 1,878,285 in 1990.^[215] There is nothing in the Trademark Act, which expressly prohibits registration of disparaging terms, or in its legislative history, to permit that level of disparagement of a group and, therefore, we find this showing of thirty percent to be more than substantial.

Respondent has introduced evidence that some in the Native American community do not find the term "Redskin" disparaging when it is used in connection with professional football. While this may reveal differing opinions within the community, it does not negate the opinions of those who find it disparaging. The ultimate decision is based on whether the evidence shows that a substantial composite of the Native American population found the term "Redskins" to be disparaging when the respective registrations issued. Heeb Media LLC, 89 USPQ2d at 1077. Therefore, once a substantial composite has been found, the mere existence of differing opinions cannot change the conclusion.

In view of the above, petitioners have shown by a preponderance of the evidence that a substantial composite of Native Americans found the term REDSKINS to be disparaging in connection with respondent's services during the relevant time frame of 1967-1990. Accordingly, the six registrations must be cancelled as required under Sections 2(a) and 14(3) of the Trademark Act.^[216]

LACHES DEFENSE

In Harjo v. Pro Football, Inc., 30 USPQ2d 1828, the Board held that respondent's laches defense was not applicable because there was a public policy interest at stake rather than just the petitioners' personal interest.

[T]here exists a broader interest -- an interest beyond the personal interest being asserted by the present petitioners -- in preventing a party from receiving the benefits of registration where a trial might show that respondent's marks hold a substantial segment of society up to public ridicule, [and] we will not deny petitioner the right to attempt to make their case by allowing respondent's equitable defenses [laches].

Id. at 1831.

On appeal, however, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia reversed the Board and held that the Trademark Act does not unequivocally bar respondent's laches defense and permitted respondent to assert laches as an affirmative defense. Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 57 USPQ2d at 1145, aff'd, 75 USPQ2d at 1527. Nevertheless, the District Court noted that the applicability of laches "is dependent upon the equities of the factual scenarios within which it is raised." 57 USPQ2d at 1145. In the order issued in this case on May 31, 2011, the Board stated that "[b]ecause ... this cancellation proceeding is essentially a relitigation of what transpired in the Harjocase before the Board, we will follow the precedent of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 75 USPQ2d at 1527 in allowing the defense of laches in this case ... and to the extent that petitioners maintain that laches does not provide a defense to a disparagement claim, this issue is preserved for appeal."^[217]

The America Invents Act, enacted in September 2011, changed the venue for appeals to District Court from USPTO inter partesproceedings to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. See Pub. L. No. 112-29 § 9(a), 125 Stat. 284 (2011) (to be codified at 15 U.S.C. § 1071(b)(4)). Accordingly, subsequent judicial review of this dispute, if any, will occur either in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in the Fourth Circuit or in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, but not in the D.C. Circuit. In view thereof, petitioners filed a motion to reconsider the legal standard for laches in light of the America Invents Act.^[218]

Although the Board earlier ordered that "any motion or brief including a re-argument of a previously decided issue in this proceeding will be deemed to be a nonconforming brief and will be given no consideration,"^[219] and specified that the decision in the May 31, 2011 Order regarding laches was a final decision on the applicability of the defense, we find that the passage of the America Invents Act sufficiently changes the circumstances in this case so as to justify revisiting the issue.

We hold that laches does not apply to a disparagement claim where the disparagement pertains to a group of which the individual plaintiff or plaintiffs simply comprise one or more members. First, laches is an equitable defense. A.C. Aukerman Co. v. R. L. Chaides Constr. Co., 960 F.2d 1020, 22 USPQ2d 1321, 1328 (Fed. Cir. 1992) (en banc). It is difficult to justify a balancing of equities where a registrant's financial interest is weighed against human dignity. To apply laches to this type of claim contemplates the retention on the register of a mark determined by the Board to be a racial slur, in blatant violation of the Trademark Act's prohibition against registration of such matter, merely because an individual plaintiff ""unreasonably delayed" in filing a petition to cancel. For example, if Reg. No. 217,067, renewed in 1946 for twenty years, i.e., until 1966, for the mark NIGGER BABY BRAND for oranges and grapefruit were still active, individual members of the group referenced by such matter would be barred from seeking cancellation if they "unreasonably delayed" in seeking such relief.^[220] We add that the decision of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, even though it countenanced application of laches in the Harjo decision, actually provides support for not applying the doctrine in cases such as this. If plaintiffs are created every day as individual members of the referenced group mature to age 18, the laches defense will never yield the registrant of a racial slur the repose it seeks.^[221]

Second, courts and the Board have routinely held that where there is a broader public policy concern at issue, the equitable defense of laches does not apply. See Ultra-White Co. v. Johnson Chem. Indus., Inc., 465 F.2d 891, 175 USPQ 166, 167 (CCPA 1972) (public interest in preventing likelihood of confusion prevails over a laches defense); Linville v. Rivard, 41 USPQ2d 1731, 1733 n. 5 (TTAB 1997), aff'd on other grounds, 133 F.3d 1446, 45 USPQ 1374 (Fed. Cir. 1998) (laches is unavailable against abandonment); Bausch & Lomb, Inc. v. Leupold & Stevens Inc., 1 USPQ2d 1497, 1499 (TTAB 1986) (laches is not available against a claim of descriptiveness or fraud); Int'l Assn. of Fire Chiefs, Inc. v. H. Marvin Ginn Corp., 225 USPQ 940, 947 (TTAB 1985), rev'd on other grounds, 782 F.2d 987, 228 USPQ 528 (Fed. Cir. 1986) (laches is not available where the petition to cancel is based on genericness of the registered matter because it would frustrate Section 14(c) of the Trademark Act that a registered mark may be cancelled at any time on the ground that it is generic); W.D. Byron & Sons, Inc. v. Stein Bros. Mfg. Co., 146 USPQ 313, 316 (TTAB 1965), aff'd, 377 F.2d 1001, 153 USPQ 749 (CCPA 1967) ("laches is not available to a defendant in a proceeding wherein, as here, the adverse party is claiming in essence that the mark in question inherently cannot function as a trademark" because "it is within the public interest to have registrations which are void ab initio stricken from the register and this interest or concern cannot be waived by the inaction of a single person or concern, no matter how long the delay persists."); Midwest Plastic Fabricators, Inc. v. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., 5 USPQ2d 1067, 1069 (TTAB 1987)(laches does not apply against a claim that respondent does not control the use of a certification mark because of the public interest in making sure that certification marks are properly controlled); compare Bridgestone/Firestone Research Inc. v. Auto. Club, 245 F.3d 1359, 58 USPQ2d 1460, 1463-64 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (laches may be an affirmative defense against a Section 2(a) false suggestion of a connection claim because it is designed to protect a single person or institution from exploitation of their persona, not to protect the public or a broader group).

In this case, it cannot be disputed that there exists a broader public interest than that of the individual petitioners in preventing respondent from receiving the benefits of registration because respondent's marks may have disparaged a substantial composite of Native Americans at the time. The fact that this claim falls within the category of claims that pertain to a broader public interest is made clear by the elements of the claim that plaintiffs must prove, i.e., that a substantial composite of the referenced group find the term to be disparaging. Thus, there is an overriding public interest in removing from the register marks that are disparaging to a segment of the population beyond the individual petitioners.

While the Fourth Circuit has not addressed whether laches applies to a claim that a term disparages a substantial composite of an ethnic or cultural group, the decisions of the Fourth Circuit prohibiting laches when confusion is inevitable suggest that the Fourth Circuit would prohibit the affirmative defense of laches in this case. See Sara Lee Corp. v. Kayser-Roth Corp., 81 F.3d 455, 38 USPQ2d 1449, 1453 (4th Cir. 1996) ("in consideration of the public interest, estoppel by laches may not be invoked to deny injunctive relief if it is apparent that the infringing use is likely to cause confusion."). In Sara Lee, the Fourth Circuit reversed the lower District Court because "the court did not consider the public interest in avoiding confusion." Id.; see Lyons P'ship L.P. v. Morris Costumes Inc., 243 F.3d 789, 58 USPQ2d 1102, 1108 (4th Cir. 2001); Resorts of Pinehurst, Inc. v. Pinehurst Nat'l Corp., 148 F.3d 417, 47 USPQ2d 1465, 1469 (4th Cir. 1998) ("strong proof of likelihood of confusion--indeed, actual confusion--trumps the defenses of laches and acquiescence.").

However, if it was held in any appeal from this decision that the doctrine were to apply, to prevail on its laches defense, respondent must prove that there was undue or unreasonable delay by each of the petitioners in filing the petition for cancellation, and prejudice to respondent resulting from the delay. Bridgestone/Firestone v. Auto. Club, 58 USPQ2d at 1462; see also A.C. Aukerman Co., 22 USPQ2d at 1328) (there are two elements to laches: (i) unreasonable and inexcusable delay and (ii) prejudice or injury to the defendant). The application of laches depends on a balancing of the length of the delay and the seriousness of the prejudice with a focus on the reasonableness of the delay. Id. at 1329.

On this record, we find that respondent has not shown (1) that any one of the plaintiffs has unreasonably delayed in bringing the petition to cancel, in view of the pending Harjo litigation because the pendency of that case in court excused inaction; (2) that the 11 and 15 month delays by plaintiffs Tsotigh and Pappan were inexcusable or unreasonable; or (3) that is has been prejudiced, i.e., that there has been economic prejudice due to the delay.

Amanda Blackhorse turned 18 on February 20, 2000.^[222] Phillip Martin Gover turned 18 on October 1, 2000.^[223] Courtney Tsotigh turned 18 on August 22, 2005.^[224] Marcus Briggs-Cloud turned 18 on December 31, 2001.^[225] Jillian Pappan turned 18 on May 9, 2005.^[226] The pending Harjo litigation provided excusable delay at least until June 2008, i.e., for the entire period that case was pending, until the District Court issued its final opinion on the issue of laches as to one plaintiff.^[227] In 2005, the D.C. Circuit retained jurisdiction over the case, including the pending appeal of the decision on the disparagement claim, and remanded the case to the District Court to apply the defense of laches, incorporating the age of majority requirement, to one plaintiff. Pro-Football Inc. v. Harjo, 415 F.3d 44, 75 USPQ2d 1525, 1529 (D.C. Cir. 2005); Pro-Football Inc. v. Harjo, 567 F. Supp. 2d 46, 87 USPQ2d 1891, 1893 (D.D.C. 2008). However, the appeal of the disparagement claim was never addressed by the D.C. Circuit apparently because it was "overshadowed by the defense of laches." Pro-Football v. Harjo, 565 F.3d 880, 90 USPQ2d 1593, 1594 (D.C. Cir. 2009). After the District Court found laches applied to the remaining plaintiff, that decision was appealed and the D.C. Circuit narrowed its decision to only that issue.

Notwithstanding the pending Harjo litigation, Pappan and Tsotigh were young adults and were entitled to assess the situation and determine whether it was in their best interest to file the petition for cancellation and then act in accordance with that assessment. Respondent has shown nothing more than a minimal delay in seeking cancellation. In this regard, respondent has not cited, nor have we found, any cases supporting such a minimal delay as being sufficient to support laches. See Piper Aircraft Corp. v. Wag-Aero, Inc., 741 F.2d 925, 223 USPQ 202, 207 (7th Cir. 1984) ("We note that two years has rarely, if ever, been held to be a delay of sufficient length to establish laches.").

As of 1999, when the Board issued its decision in Harjo to cancel the registrations, the status of those registrations was in question up until, at least, the District Court's decision on remand in 2008. Throughout this time, as the record demonstrates, respondent continued to invest and build its brand. Respondent's evidence of purported economic prejudice covers the alleged delay period 2000-2006/7 which is concurrent with the pending Harjo litigation. Thus, it is impossible to distinguish the possible monetary or investment loss that might have accompanied ultimately losing the Harjo case from losses that might be incurred as a result of ultimately losing the subsequent Blackhorse case filed during the pendency of the Harjo litigation. Clearly respondent was not deterred by Harjo from investing in its brand, and an adverse decision in the present litigation would not have prevented respondent's loss of monetary investments had the current plaintiffs brought their suit earlier, inasmuch as it still would, of necessity, have been after Harjo began in order for them to reach the age of majority. While specific evidence of reliance is not required to show prejudice, there must be some nexus between a delay in filing the suit and the expenditures. A.C. Aukerman Co. v. R. L. Chaides Construction Co., 22 USPQ2d at 1329. There is nothing in the record to indicate that respondent's business decisions regarding investment in its brand and marks has been influenced in any way by the pendency of this cancellation proceeding.

In view of the above, respondent's invocation of the laches defense fails.

Decision: The petition for cancellation is granted.

Bergsman, Administrative Trademark Judge, dissenting:

I respectfully dissent from the majority's decision to grant the petition on the claim of disparagement because the dictionary evidence relied upon by the majority is inconclusive and there is no reliable evidence to corroborate the membership of National Council of American Indians.

To be clear, this case is not about the controversy, currently playing out in the media, over whether the term "redskins," as the name of Washington's professional football team, is disparaging to Native Americans today. The provisions of the statute under which the Board must decide this case -- §§ 2(a) and 14(3) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1052(a) and 1064(3) -- require us to answer a much narrower, legal question: whether the evidence made of record in this case establishes that the term "redskins" was disparaging to a substantial composite of Native Americans at the time each of the challenged registrations issued.^[228] See generally Consorzio del Proscuitto di Parma v. Parma Sausage Prods., Inc., 23 USPQ2d 1894, 1898-99 (TTAB 1992) (discussing the language of Lanham Act § 14(3) and explaining that the ""registration was obtained" language Congress used to specify when a registration for a mark may be cancelled under the enumerated statutory provisions, such as § 2(a), "shows an intent that only if it should not have issued in the first place should a registration more than five years old be cancelled").

The new petitioners here have filed a petition to cancel the same registrations on one of the same grounds asserted in the Harjocancellation proceeding originally filed with the Board. Not only is this claim the same as one in the Harjo cancellation proceeding, but the evidence relating to whether the term "redskins" was disparaging to Native Americans during the relevant time period predominantly is the same as well. As noted by the majority, in this case the new petitioners re-submitted most of the same evidence that the Harjopetitioners submitted--evidence which the district court previously ruled was insufficient to support an order to cancel the challenged registrations as disparaging. The evidence from Harjo was augmented by depositions of the individual petitioners here, each of whom testified that they found the term "redskins" in the challenged marks offensive.^[229]

Thus, beyond the statutory constraint that the Board can decide only whether the marks can remain registered, the Board's decision also is constrained by the evidence placed before it. The new petitioners in this proceeding made the decision to simply re-use the trial record from the previous Harjo litigation, without substantial augmentation. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals did not overturn the district court's ruling in Harjo II that the evidence introduced at the Board in the Harjo cancellation proceeding was insufficient to support the Board's decision in that case. Nor has the passage of time aided what could be described as a stale record. The consequence of petitioners' decision to rely on the same evidence previously found insufficient to support cancellation without substantial augmentation is that the evidence before the Board in this case remains insufficient as well.

By this dissent, I am not suggesting that the term "redskins" was not disparaging in 1967, 1974, 1978, and 1990 (the registration dates at issue). Rather, my conclusion is that the evidence petitioners put forth fails to show that it was.

THE RECORD

The evidence submitted by petitioners can most charitably be characterized as a database dump. Despite the fact that the Board conducted a case management conference and issued an order "to clarify the applicable law prior to trial to allow the parties to focus their testimony and evidence on facts relevant to the legal issues,"^[230] petitioners submitted the entire Harjo file and even lodged objections to the evidence that they submitted. There was no order or structure to petitioners' evidence that told a compelling story or presented a coherent case. One need look no further than gyrations the majority employed to establish the membership of the National Council of American Indians. It is astounding that the petitioners did not submit any evidence regarding the Native American population during the relevant time frame, nor did they introduce any evidence or argument as to what comprises a substantial composite of that population thereby leaving it to the majority to make petitioners' case have some semblance of meaning.

DISPARAGEMENT CLAIM

Expert Reports

As noted above, Dr. Geoffrey Nunberg, Dr. Ronald Butters, and David K. Barnhart were qualified as expert witnesses in linguistics, none of whom specifically researched the Native American viewpoint of the word "redskin(s)" in connection with football-related services during any time period.^[231] Despite the fact that the issue before us is how Native Americans perceive the term "Redskins," we are presented with the expert testimony of three non-Native American men opining on how other presumptively non-Native American men and women (i.e., the editorial staff of dictionary publishers) perceive the term ""Redskins."

The majority notes that when Mr. Barnhart was asked whether the term "darky" is derogatory, he said that "[d]epending on the context, yes."^[232] Likewise, we must determine how Native Americans perceive the term "Redskins" when used in connection with the name of a football team. In this regard, the record includes evidence, albeit one example after the relevant time period, regarding Native Americans using the term "Redskins" to identify the name of their sports teams. The record includes the following material:

a. A sign at a Navajo Indian Reservation school: Red Mesa High School Home of the Redskins, with the photograph taken in 1989 and sent by Robert D. Kahn to Jack Kent Cooke on November 4, 1991;^[233] and

b. A sports article in the April 30, 2010 issue of the Seminole Tribune (Fla.), referencing the "Lady Redskins" as one of the teams involved in a tribal basketball tournament.^[234] To the extent that post-1990 evidence has any relevance, it shows Native Americans using the term "Redskins" in a prideful way to identify their teams.^[235]

We can imply from the use of "Redskins" by Native Americans in connection with the name of sports teams that the context in which "Redskins" is used changes the perception of the term. Thus, for example, when a dictionary usage label says "often offensive," the usage label would not encompass use of the term "Redskins" in connection with a team name because that would not be offensive to Native Americans who identify their teams with the name ""Redskins." See the discussion about dictionary usage labels infra.

Petitioners also introduced testimony and evidence regarding Native Americans using other references to Native Americans and Native American imagery in connection with sports teams. This testimony and evidence introduced into this record by petitioners is relevant to show that the commercial impression or perception of a term or image changes in connection with its use. For example, the record includes the following:

a. A sign at a Navaho Indian Reservation school: Round Rock Public School Fighting Braves with an Indian logo, with comments on the back of the photograph indicating that the image was captured on June 10, 1994;^[236]

b. A sign at a Navajo Indian Reservation school: Tuba City High Warriors with an Indian head logo, with comments on the back of the photograph indicating that the image was captured on June 10, 1994;^[237]

c. An article in the November 1, 1991 issue of the Star Tribune^[238] reported the following:

[A]ttempts by the Department of Education to order all schools to discard Indian nicknames failed because leading tribal officials objected. They said schools with large Indian enrollments often took pride in the names. The tribal leaders cited Mahnomen High School, where the enrollment is 39 percent Indian. It's located within White Earth reservation boundaries. Mahnomen's nickname is Indians;

d. The website of the Omaha Nation public school system^[239] displaying the legend "Home of the Chiefs & Lady Chiefs," featuring teepees and an Indian head logo, and providing issues of its online publication, Chief Times;^[240]

e. A webpage from the Haskell Indian Nations University displaying an Indian head logo;^[241]

f. Various Native American images are shown as logos for Flandreau Indian School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school located in Flandreau, South Dakota.^[242]

[IMAGE OMITTED]

The Flandreau Indian School's nickname is the "Indians" and, as shown by the image above, the school has an Indian head logo.^[243] The Flandreau Indian School's girls' basketball team is nicknamed the "Lady Indians" and another team in its league is nicknamed the "Mighty Braves;"^[244] and

g. The Sherman Indian High School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs school located in Riverside, California,^[245] has an Indian head logo, shown by the image below:^[246]

[IMAGE OMITTED]

The school's nickname is the "Braves."^[247]

Petitioner Jillian Pappan, a Native American of the Omaha Tribe of Macy, Nebraska,^[248] provided the following testimony regarding the use of Native American imagery in connection with sports teams:

The Sherman Indian School logo is an attempt by a Native American school to show their pride, to show their honor, and I say 'attempt' because there are people that will misuse it.

* * *

The Sherman Indian School, I understand that they want to preserve heritage and preserve culture and it's a good idea but at the end of the day that's not the way to do it.^[249]

The record does not show any evidence or testimony of any actual effort, past or present, at any of the named Native American schools to have the Indian namesakes or imagery changed as school nicknames and logos. Based on this record, there is a difference between what petitioners' linguistic expert concludes regarding the meaning of the term "Redskins" and the empirical evidence regarding how Native Americans use that term in connection with name of sports teams.

Dictionary Usage Labels for "Redskins" Entries

Keeping in mind that Registration No. 0836122 for the mark THE REDSKINS (stylized), shown below, issued September 26, 1967,

[IMAGE OMITTED]

Registration No. 0978824 for the mark WASHINGTON REDSKINS, in typed drawing form, issued February 12, 1974, Registration No. 0986668 for the mark WASHINGTON REDSKINS and design, shown below, issued June 18, 1974,

[IMAGE OMITTED]

Registration No. 0987127 for the mark THE REDSKINS and design, shown below, issued June 25, 1974, and

​[IMAGE OMITTED]

Registration No. 1085092 for the mark REDSKINS, in typed drawing form, issued February 7, 1978, let us examine the survey of dictionary usage labels.

The majority references the dictionary research conducted by Mr. Barnhart. He found no restrictive usage labels for the term "redskin" in any dictionaries prior to 1965. Beginning in 1966 Mr. Barnhart's dictionary entries start to include usage labels indicating the term is offensive. See Random House Unabridged (1st ed. 1966). However, the record includes a copy of the 1967 Random House Unabridged Dictionary. There is no copy of the 1966 edition. Thus, at the time Registration No. 0836122 registered, there was purportedly only one dictionary with a usage label that stated the term "Redskin" is "often offensive," meaning that it is not always offensive and leaving open the possibility that "Redskins" is not considered offensive when used in connection with the name of a football team.

According to Mr. Barnhart's survey, between 1966 and 1979, only one additional dictionary published a negative usage label regarding the term ""Redskin"; that is, the Thorndike-Barnhart Intermediate Dictionary (1974), noting that "the word redskin is often considered offensive."^[250] Thus, at the time Registration Nos. 0978824, 0986668, 0986668, and 1085092 registered, there were two dictionaries with usage labels stating that the term "Redskin" is "often offensive," again meaning that it is not always offensive and leaving open the possibility that "Redskins" is not considered offensive when used in connection with the name of a football team.

Based on the above-noted evidence, the majority found that there is a "clear trend beginning in 1966 to label this term as offensive." However, at the relevant times (1967, 1974 and 1978), that "clear trend" comprised only two dictionaries. Two does not make a trend. In fact the next dictionary to set forth a negative usage label was the 1980 Oxford American Dictionary,^[251] six years after the 1974Thorndike-Barnhart Intermediate Dictionary. The evidence does not support the majority's finding of fact No. 7 that "[b]eginning in 1966 and continuing to 1990, usage labels in dictionaries indicating the term REDSKINS to be offensive, disparaging, contemptuous or not preferred appear and grow in number," as applied to Registration Nos. 0836122, 0978824, 0986668, 0986668, and 1085092.^[252] The dictionary evidence is not sufficiently probative to justify cancelling respondent's registrations when, as noted by the majority, any cancellation of a registration should be granted only with "due caution" and "after a most careful study of all the facts." Rockwood Chocolate Co., Inc. v. Hoffman Candy Co., 152 USPQ at 601.

Use of the term Redskins in Various Media

The majority references Dr. Nunberg's survey of electronic databases from major newspapers and magazines published between approximately 1975 through 1989 to glean information about the use of the word "redskins" in the context of Native Americans." Because Dr. Nunberg's survey begins in 1975, the conclusions he draws are not relevant to Registration No. 0836122 registered in 1967 and Registration Nos. 0978824, 0986668, and 0986668 registered in 1974.

Mr. Barnhart conducted a similar search using a Nexis electronic database group file featuring major newspapers, magazines and journals published between 1969 and 1996.^[253] He found that the term "redskin" or "redskins" appeared at least once in 143,920 articles.^[254] Similar to Dr. Nunberg's initial search results, Mr. Barnhart reported that the results of his "redskin" database search were "overwhelming to be in the context of sports," with less than two percent of the results referring to Native Americans.^[255] Mr. Barnhart would not draw any inferences about the infrequency in which the term ""redskin" or "redskins" was used to refer to Native Americans. He testified that it was not what he was asked to do and it would be a significantly greater project to determine whether there is any significance to the lack of occurrences.^[256] Nevertheless, he did conclude that since the term REDSKIN appeared in 143,920 articles, it "is acceptable in both formal and informal speech or writing of educated people"^[257] at least as it applies to sports teams.

In view of the foregoing, the majority's conclusion that the "near complete drop-off in usage of 'redskins' as a reference to Native Americans beginning in the 1960's'D' is somehow probative that the term is disparaging is not supported by the record.

NCAI Resolution

The majority finds that the resolution passed by the National Congress of American Indians ("NCAI") in 1993 is "clearly probative of the view of Native Americans held at the relevant time period because the NCAI "represented approximately thirty percent of Native Americans" and the resolution set forth ""the past and ongoing viewpoint of the Native Americans it represents." Despite the assertions in the resolution that the organization represents "the American Indian and Alaska Tribal governments and people gathered in Crystal City, Virginia, of the Washington D.C. area, for the 1993 Executive Council Meeting"^[258] of the organization, there is no reliable evidence supporting the number of Native Americans or tribes that attended the meeting or that were members of the organization during the relevant time frame between 1967 and 1990.

The majority relies on the deposition testimony of JoAnn Chase who became the Executive Director of the NCAI on April 1, 1994 and provided testimony about the resolution. JoAnn Chase testified that she "was not in attendance at this meeting" when the resolution was passed, that she did not know if any minutes of the meeting were taken, that she could not locate any record of the minutes or any indicator of whether a quorum was present for the voting of this resolution, that she had no record of the people in attendance at the meeting, and that she did "not know what the membership of the organization was at that time."^[259] Ms. Chase also testified that she had no record of the number of tribes who had delegates to the organization in 1967, 1974, 1985, or 1990, no record of any similar resolutions concerning the use of the name "Washington Redskins" by the organization between 1967 and 1992, and had no letters or correspondence concerning the use of the word "redskins" or "Washington Redskins" with respect to the football team between 1967 and 1992.^[260]

Nevertheless, based on the following testimony, the majority found that "there were between 100 -- 400 members at the time the resolution was taken":

I do not know what the membership of the organization was at that time. I can tell you currently, if, for example, our membership is 206 tribes, it would be one-third. At that time the membership would have been 100 tribes. It could have been 400 tribes. I don't know.^[261]

The majority also relies on the deposition of Harold Gross, the Director of Indian Legal Information Development Services, a legislative oversight program. The relevance of the Gross deposition testimony is that Mr. Gross testified that Leon Cook, President of the NCAI, participated in a 1972 meeting with Edward Bennett Williams, the President and part-owner of the Washington Redskins football team, to protest the Redskins name. Petitioners did not depose Mr. Cook and have him testify regarding the membership of the NCAI in 1972. Rather, the majority relies on an article published in the Washington Daily News on March 30, 1972 discussing that meeting which reported that the NCAI "claims a membership of 300,000."^[262] The article provides no source as to 300,000 membership figure. The author of the article did not state that Leon Cook said that the NCAI had 300,000 members.

The majority references an article published in The Washington Post on March 30, 1972 discussing that meeting reported that the NCAI claims a membership of 350,000 "according to the protesting group's informal leader, Harold Gross, an attorney for another Indian organization."^[263] According to the majority, "Harold Gross testified that he worked for the NCAI in 1969 and would have firsthand knowledge as to the membership in that time period." In fact, Mr. Gross testified that he was staff counsel for a year.^[264] But he was not employed by the NCAI in 1972, the year that the meeting took place, and the article does not provide any information to conclude that Mr. Gross had accurate knowledge about the membership of the NCAI in 1972.

The majority references the participation of Dennis Banks, District Representative of the American Indian Movement, at the 1972 meeting. There is no testimony or evidence verifying the size or membership of that organization during the relevant time period.

The majority references the Michigan Civil Rights Commission Report on the Use of Nicknames, Logos and Mascots Depicting Native American People in Michigan Education Institutions (October 1998) which stated that the NCAI is "the oldest and largest national Indian group in the U.S." This statement is probative that the Michigan Civil Rights Commission believes that the NCAI is the biggest Native American Group. However, there is no evidence, let alone reliable evidence, as to the basis of that belief on the part of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.

In footnote 137, the majority references a statement by Dr. Britton Harwood set forth in the minutes of the Miami University Senate that "[t]he National Congress of American Indians, representing approximately 150 tribal governments, calls it [redskin] a racial slur." The problem with Dr. Harwood's statement is that (i) the minutes do not identify Dr. Harwood, (ii) the minutes do not identify how Dr. Harwood is knowledgeable about the membership of the NCAI, and (iii) the minutes do not identify the source that Dr. Harwood used to quantify the membership of the NCAI. The minutes are probative of Dr. Harwood's belief as to the membership of the NCAI, made in support of a resolution urging Miami University to change its' team names.

In footnote 140, the majority references a 1992 survey by WTOP, a Washington, D.C. radio station, showing 28% of Native American tribal leaders found the name Redskins offensive corroborates the fact that a substantial composite of Native Americans perceive the term "Redskin" to be disparaging.^[265] The purpose of the survey was to see how tribal leaders and listeners felt about WTOP not using the name Washington Redskins to refer to the football team. There are numerous problems with this survey for purposes of this proceeding. First, the survey took place in 1992, after the relevant time period about an act that took place after the relevant time period. Second, the "tribal leaders" were asked a leading question: "Do you think the name of the football team, The Washington Redskins, is offensive?" The survey respondents were only given the option to answer "yes" or "no." They were not given the option of "do not know" or "no opinion." There was no probe question as a follow-up to the answer to determine why a respondent gave a particular answer. Finally, it is not clear that the universe of "tribal leaders" was correct. Petitioners did not provide any information regarding how the survey company identified tribal leaders or verified that the respondent was, in fact, a tribal leader. Furthermore, there was no verification to determine whether the interviews actually took place.

Finally, the majority relies on a June 3, 1991 letter from Dale Pullen, publisher of The U.S. Congress Handbook to Charlie Drayton, the Vice President of Communications for the Washington Redskins.^[266] In his letter, Mr. Pullen wrote the following:

The National American Indian Council, representing 70 per cent of the American Indian population, would like 400 U.S. CONGRESS HANDBOOKS for their D.C. meeting beginning June 7.

Ms. Lee Ann Tallbear, Executive Director, for the NAIC, called to see how she might get books . . . .

Ms. Tallbear said that her group represents about 1.2 million American Indians who do not live on reservations. The National Congress of American Indians represent [sic] Indians living on reservations (the remaining 30 percent).

This is the most persuasive evidence that supports the majority's contention. Nevertheless, the letter is double hearsay (i.e., hearsay within hearsay). While the hearsay objection has been waived, it does not remove the problem with this type of evidence (i.e., someone said to someone that the NCAI represents "the remaining 30 percent").

The evidence supporting the majority's finding of fact No. 27 that "[a]pproximately 150 tribes were members [of the NCAI] in 1993" and its conclusion that "[t]he NCAI members throughout the time period represent approximately 30 percent of Native Americans" is a house of cards that collapses upon examination.

In view of the above, "after a careful study of all the facts" and ""due caution," I find that petitioners failed to show by a preponderance of the evidence that a substantial composite of Native Americans found the term REDSKINS to be disparaging in connection with respondent's services during the relevant time frame of 1967-1990. Accordingly, the six registrations should not be cancelled under Sections 2(a) and 14(3) of the Trademark Act.

[1] The Board struck the other affirmative defenses, which primarily concern Constitutional challenges and they are preserved for appeal.

[2] Registered September 26, 1967; second renewal.

[3] Registered February 12, 1974; third renewal.

[4] Registered June 18, 1974; second renewal.

[5] Registered June 25, 1974; second renewal.

[6] Registered February 7, 1978; second renewal.

[7] Registered July 17, 1990; renewed in 2000. Section 8 affidavits of continuing use and applications for renewal under Section 9 must be filed at the end of each successive 10-year period following the date of registration. 15 U.S.C. § 1059.See also Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP) § 1606.03 ("The Director has no authority to waive the deadline for filing a proper § 9 renewal application."). We note the last Section 8 affidavit and Section 9 application for renewal was filed in 2000 and accepted by the USPTO on March 9, 2004. The filing deadline for the next renewal would have been July 17, 2010 but USPTO records do not show any such filing. Thus, it appears regardless of the outcome of this proceeding, this registration has expired. Nonetheless, when a registration which is the subject of a cancellation proceeding is abandoned or left to expire during the proceeding, such action is treated as an abandonment of the registration without the consent of the petitioner. 37 C.F.R. § 2.134(b). See also Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (TBMP) § 602.02(b) (3d ed. rev. June 2013). Typically, the Board would issue a show cause order to the respondent to indicate whether the expiration of the registration was purposeful or inadvertent. If such action was purposeful, judgment is entered against the respondent as to that registration. If the expiration was inadvertent, the petitioner would be allowed time to pursue its claim to final judgment. Neither party alerted the Board to this issue. Because the proceeding was tried and briefed on all the registrations including this one, we proceed to final judgment on this registration.

[8] During this proceeding, petitioner Shquanebin Lone-Bentley withdrew her petition for cancellation. TTABVue 24. The citations to "TTABVue" throughout the decision are to the Board's public online database that contains the proceeding file, available on the USPTO website, www.USPTO.gov. The number represents the prosecution history number listed in the electronic case file.

[9] Board's notice of suspension (TTABVue 6); notice of proceedings resumed (TTABVue 23).

[10] Joint Stipulation Regarding Admissibility of Certain Evidence & Regarding Certain Discovery Issues, dated March 11, 2011, and filed March 14, 2011 (TTABVue No. 31). In Board proceedings there is no live testimony. Testimony is taken by deposition and the resulting transcripts are filed with the Board. Other appropriate evidence is submitted under a Notice of Reliance. Information regarding Board procedure may be found in the Trademark Rules 37 C.F.R. §§ 2.101-2.136 and the TBMP both available on the USPTO website www.uspto.gov.

[11] Id.

[12] Board's March 15, 2011 Order (TTABVue 32).

[13] Id. at 2 (TTABVue 32, p. 2).

[14] Board's May 31, 2011 Order (TTABVue 40).

[15] See id. at 8-11 (TTABVue 40, pp. 8-11). In our earlier order outlining the applicable law, the statement that the perceptions of the general public are irrelevant refers to the ultimate legal determination. It does not foreclose evidence of general perception. If, for example, numerous dictionary definitions unanimously included a usage characterization indicating a term is offensive, contemptuous, etc. that could be evidence of the general perception of a term and could serve to support a finding that the referenced group finds the term to be disparaging.

[16] See id. at 8-9 (TTABVue 40, pp. 8-9).

[17] The record includes copies of newspaper articles, publications, resolutions, letters, and other printed materials originally submitted and considered in the Harjo proceeding which are dated, published or otherwise were disseminated prior to 1993. In Harjo, all of these materials were submitted under Notices of Reliance by both parties. Despite the fact that some of these materials (e.g., letters) are not properly introduced under Notice of Reliance, because no party to that proceeding objected to the means of submission, the Board considered the material as admitted into the record. Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1723.

[18] We do note generally that the survey would have very limited probative value. As the Board noted in Harjo, 50 USPQ2d at 1734, the Ross survey is "a survey of current attitudes towards the word 'redskin(s)' as a reference to Native Americans." Therefore, the survey does not directly measure the perceptions of Native Americans during the relevant time frame.

[19] Pet'rs' Reply Br. 9-10 (citing Fed. R. Evid. 803(16)) (TTABVue No. 184).

[20] Under Rule of Evidence 803(16), "[s]tatements in a document in existence twenty years or more the authenticity of which is established" are not considered hearsay, and therefore, are not excluded by the hearsay rule. Id. Further, "[t]he ancient document exception contained in Rule 803(16) . . . clearly applies to any document including letters, records, contracts, maps, newspapers and certificates." 4 Michael H. Graham, Handbook of Federal Evidence § 803:16, at 405-06 (6th ed. 2006); see, e.g., Martha Graham Sch. & Dance Found. Inc. v. Martha Graham Ctr. of Contemporary Dance Inc., 380 F.3d 624, 72 USPQ2d 1143, 1156 (2d Cir. 2004) (affirming lower court reliance on two letters for the truth of the statements therein as admissible under Rule 803(16), the ancient-documents exception to the hearsay rule, to determine copyright ownership of dances). See also Bell v. Combined Registry Co., 397 F. Supp. 1241, 188 USPQ 707 (N.D. Ill. 1975), aff'd,536 F.2d 164 (7th Cir. 1976) (allowing letters and newspaper articles from the 1930s and 1940s to determine a copyright suit); Murray v. Sevier, 50 F.Supp.2d 1257, 1264 n.6 (M.D.Ala. 1999) (interviewee's statements reported in a newspaper article admissible under Rule 803(16)), vacated on other grounds, Murray v. Scott, 253 F.3d 1308 (11th Cir. 2001). "The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims." Fed. R. Evid. 901(a). Rule of Evidence 901(b)(8) states that an ancient document may be authenticated by evidence that the document "(A) is in such condition as to create no suspicion concerning its authenticity, (B) was in a place where it, if authentic, would likely be, and (C) has been in existence 20 years or more at the time it is offered." Fed. R. Evid. 901(b)(8). Rule of Evidence 902 provides that newspapers and periodicals are self-authenticating. Fed. R. Evid. 902(6).

[21] While the content of newspaper articles is hearsay and in some cases, for example, where an individual is quoted, presents a double hearsay problem, the waiver is applicable to all levels of hearsay objections. In view thereof, we have considered the statements in the newspaper articles. See Hope for Families & Community Service, Inc. v. Warren, 721 F.Supp.2d 1079, 1178 n. 114 (M.D.Ala. 2010) (consideration of content of newspaper article). Finally, respondent itself relies on the statements made in various documents, including letters and newspapers. See Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center v. Sullivan, 183 F.R.D. 119 (D.N.J. 1998) (consideration of the content of newspaper articles proper; where party itself relied upon the content of newspaper articles it waives the objection).

[22] Amanda Leeh Blackhorse Dep. 127:8-9, 196:13-197:3, June 22, 2011 (TTABVue 122, pp. 135, 204-05).

[23] Blackhorse Dep. 58:15, 120:11-121:4 (TTABVue 122, pp. 66, 128-29).

[24] Phillip Martin Gover Dep. 10:9-13, June 16, 2011 (TTABVue 120, p. 16).

[25] Gover Dep. 91:6-92:10, 94:15, 187:1-13 (TTABVue 120, pp. 97-98, 100, 193).

[26] Courtney Tsotigh Dep. 8:2-17, 146:12-21, Oct. 25, 2011 (TTABVue 115, pp. 14, 152).

[27] Tsotigh Dep. 113:12-15, 115:5-117:24, 146:22-147:7 (TTABVue 115, pp. 119, 121-23, 152-53).

[28] Marcus Anthony Briggs-Cloud Dep. 135:11-20 (TTABVue 110, p. 141). See also 69:16-70:22, 136:8-139:7, June 23, 2011 (TTABVue 110, pp. 75-76, 109-11, 115, 120, 142-43).

[29] Briggs-Cloud Dep. 63:16-29, 75:1-13, 103:3-105:11 (TTABVue 110, pp. 69, 81, 109-10).

[30] Jillian Pappan Dep., pp. 49:4-5, 174:16-19, Aug. 11, 2011 (TTABVue 112, pp. 53, 61, 178).

[31] Pappan Dep., pp. 48:24-50:6, 57:15-24, 173:9-174:4 (TTABVue 112, pp. 52-54, 61, 178).

[32] As a result, the litigation generated an expansive record encompassing broader issues. Like the dissent we acknowledge the criticisms of the District Court; however, in our review of the record we believe that the weight and relevance of certain evidence became obfuscated by the several issues raised in the Harjo case. Moreover, the hearsay objection has been waived in this proceeding, which has resulted in a qualitatively different evidentiary record for us to consider.

[33] Section 2(a) prohibits registration of a mark "which may disparage ... persons ... or bring them into contempt, or disrepute." As held in the prior order of May 31, 2011, "for purposes of this proceeding the guidelines for determining whether the mark is disparaging are equally applicable to determining whether such matter brings persons or institutions into contempt or disrepute." TTABVue 40, p. 4. We, therefore, use the word disparage in this case as an umbrella term for "may disparage ... or bring them into contempt or disrepute."

[34] As to the Native American imagery in two of the registrations, in the Harjo case the Board found that "petitioners have not established, under Section 2(a), that this matter may disparage Native Americans." Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d at 1743.

[35] Respondent's position that the term REDSKINS has a separate meaning as the name of a football team does not affect the first prong of the test because even as the name of the football team it retains the meaning Native American. See infradiscussion of Squaw Valley, 80 USPQ2d 1264.

[36] Super Bowl XVII: Hog Day Afternoon (NFL Films 1983), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 103 (TTABVue 95, p. 70).

[37] Ambush at Super Bowl XXII (NFL Films 1988), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 104 (TTABVue 95, p. 72).

[38] Hail to the Redskins 1937-1988 (NFL Films 1988), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 95 (TTABVue 95, p. 54).

[39] "Dancing Indians," Redskins (magazine), Oct. 7, 1962, at 15, Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 29 (TTABVue 52, p. 17).

[40] 1967 Redskins Press Guide, Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 29 (TTABVue 54, p. 28).

[41] 1979 Redskins Press Guide, Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 29 (TTABVue 74, p. 21).

[42] In the Harjo case, on appeal, the District Court noted its concern about the breadth of the issues presented noting: "Under the broad sweep of the TTAB's logic, no professional sports team that uses Native American imagery would be permitted to keep their trademarks if the team's fans or the media took any action or made any remark that could be construed as insulting to Native Americans. The Court cannot accept such an expansive doctrine; particularly when premised on a finding that is not supported by any substantial evidence. ... This is undoubtedly a 'test case' that seeks to use federal trademark litigation to obtain social goals." Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1254, 1262. In contrast, this case presents a much narrower issue and pertains only to the word REDSKINS. With regard to the District Court's observation about "social goals," the underlying purpose of this portion of the Trademark Act is, in effect, a social goal as legislated by Congress, to keep matter that would disparage others off of the register. The statutory requirement to remove disparaging matter from the register is not obfuscated in the present case by peripheral issues.

[43] There is no case in our review where a term found to be a racial slur in general was found not to be disparaging when used in the context of specific services. The District Court in Harjo noted that "[t]he ultimate legal inquiry is whether the six trademarks at issue may disparage Native Americans when used in connection with Pro-Football's services and during the relevant time frame . . . [t]he ultimate legal inquiry is not whether the term "redskins' is a pejorative term for Native Americans." Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1252. This does not mean that if the record shows that the term is pejorative, or a racial slur, that such a showing could not add to the evidence supporting a finding that a substantial composite of the referenced group find it disparaging, even when used solely with the recited services. Moreover, if a term is found to be a racial slur, then it may be possible to find the term disparaging in the context of the specific services without evidence as to the specific services. In Squaw Valley, in making a determination regarding the second prong of the disparagement test, the Board relied on evidence that showed the "opinions of Native Americans regarding the term are not limited to particular contexts." Squaw Valley, 80 USPQ2d at 1276.

Thus, if it is shown that a term is generally disparaging, e.g., a racial slur, in any context, that includes the specific context of the subject goods or services, and to that extent the comment by the District Court as to the ultimate legal determination does not limit the avenues by which a deciding court or tribunal arrives there. See Heeb, 89 USPQ2d at 1077 ("[A] term is considered to be disparaging by a substantial composite of the referenced group, regardless of context, including in connection with applicant's identified goods and services.")

As noted by the Board in Squaw Valley, in the context of an ex parte proceeding we are by necessity limited to inferential evidence. In the context of an inter partes proceeding, the parties are not so limited and may present direct evidence, but that does not render indirect evidence non probative. In particular, with a claim of disparagement of a referenced group brought by individuals, the individual plaintiffs may testify as to their perceptions regarding a term and the context of the specific services, but to prove it is disparaging to a substantial composite of the group, more general evidence can be probative. The hypothetical evidentiary dilemma posed by the Board in Squaw Valley, the difficulty of finding statements about use in connection with paperclips, is also applicable to the inter partes context. Squaw Valley, 80 USPQ2d at 1277 n. 9. Thus, just as in an ex parte context where a term may be found to be generally disparaging in any context and prohibited from registration for a specific context, even absent evidence of the referenced group making a statement as to that specific context, such an evidentiary record may also be sufficient in an inter partes case.

Respondent's expert, Dr. Ronald Butters (discussed infra), sheds some light on this issue. On the one hand he testifies that disparagement is tied to intent when considering the term redskins, which includes the context of use, but that the word nigger is inherently disparaging regardless of context and presumably intent. Butters Dep. pp. 279:19-25 --280:2-22 (TTABVue 163, p. 92) (Q. Sir, let's talk for a moment about your views as to the meaning of the word disparaging. Is it your testimony that disparaging means -- excuse me, includes an intent to belittle or to demean? A. That is correct. Q. So there's some intentionality involved in the word disparaging: A. Yes. Q. And that refers to the intention of the speaker? A. Yes. Q. You also testify, sir, that the word nigger is a disparaging word; is that correct? A. Yes. Q. The word nigger itself has no intentions, correct? A. Correct. Q. The word itself has no ability to form any intentions; is that correct? A. Of course. Q. Yet you say that the word itself is disparaging; is that correct? A. The word nigger is a disparaging word in the English language, yes."). Thus, if the evidence regarding the inherent nature of the term is strong (or as Mr. Barnhart, respondent's other expert discussed infra, explains that while no word is intrinsically offensive, overwhelming offensive usage would merit a usage label, Barnhart Dep. p. 44, (TTABVue 159, p. 47)), that would be probative of disparagement in any context to the perception of the referenced group within the context of the specific services without direct evidence.

[44] As noted above, the Board's jurisdiction is limited to the question of registrability. The Board does not have the power to enjoin use.

[45] Geoffrey Nunberg earned a Ph.D. in linguistics from City University of New York, served as a Consulting Professor of Linguistics at Stanford University and a principal scientist at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, and served as an editor and chair of the usage panel for the American Heritage Dictionary. Geoffrey D. Nunberg Dep. 229:15-25, 230:8-12, Feb. 18, 1997 ("Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep.") (TTABVue 81, pp. 122-23); Nunberg Dep. Ex. 32 (TTABVue 108, pp. 95, 99). Dr. Butters, respondent's expert witness, opined that Dr. Nunberg has a good reputation and is an expert in the field of linguistics. Butters Dep. 73:-74:, Dec. 20, 1996 (TTABVue 163, p. 23).

[46] Ronald R. Butters earned a Ph.D. in English with a concentration in linguistics, served as Professor of English at Duke University and co-chaired its linguistics program, and served as chief editor of American Dialect Society publications. Ronald R. Butters Dep. 8:22-25, 9:22-23, 10:13-25, Dec. 20, 1996 ("Butters 1996 Dep.") (TTABVue 163, pp. 6, 7); Butters Dep. Ex. 1 (TTABVue 164, p. 4).

[47] Butters 1996 Dep. 23:10-14 (TTABVue 163, p. 10).

[48] David K. Barnhart Dep. 5:11-12, 24:5-9 (TTABVue 159, pp. 8, 27); Barnhart Dep. Ex. 2 (TTABVue 162, p. 14). Mr. Barnhart was a general editor at Clarence L. Barnhart, Inc., a "small dictionary house" between 1966 and 1980, and at the time of his deposition, was the founder and owner of Lexik House Publishing, a publisher of the Barnhart Dictionary Companion, "a quarterly journal that updates dictionaries." Barnhart Dep. 13:1-14:14, 20:25-21:20) (TTABVue 159, pp. 16, 23-24); Barnhart Dep. Ex. 2 (TTABVue 162, p. 14). Mr. Barnhart did not survey or evaluate Native Americans' reaction to the use of the term "redskins." His research "involved more general English usage than targeting a particular ethnic group." Barnhart Dep. 62:10-25 (TTABVue 159, p. 65).

[49] None of the experts specifically researched Native American viewpoint of the word "redskin(s)" in connection with football-related services during any time period.

[50] Mr. Barnhart and Dr. Butters offered conclusions that the term ""redskin(s)" has taken on a secondary meaning as the name of respondent's team. See Barnhart Dep. Exh. 3 (TTABVue 162 pp. 18-19) ("There is ample evidence to support the position that Redskins has acquired secondary meaning in the context of sports. . . . The collected evidence indicates that the use of the term redskin in the context of sports is overwhelmingly more significant that [sic] the use of the term in its core meaning. . . . It is my conclusion based on the examination of evidence of usage consistent with the practice of lexicography and linguistics that the term Redskins as used by the Washington Redskins has acquired secondary meaning separate from the usage associated with the North American Indians.") See also Butters 1996 Dep., pp. 23-24 (TTABVue 163, 10) ("I think the major change began with the inception of the Washington Redskins football team in the 1930s. As that team evolved and as professional football grew more and more popular and influential in American popular culture, the term Washington Redskins, in general the larger term Washington Redskins, and then more particularly the shortening of Washington Redskins to Redskins began to take on a meaning of its own identified with the football team. So that this secondary meaning became a very important meaning for the term itself.") However, this evidence goes to the first prong of the test where it is found and conceded that the asserted "secondary meaning" retains the ""core meaning" Native American. Because REDSKINS used in connection with respondent's services while meaning a football team, retains its "core meaning" identifying a "race of people," the meanings are not legally separate for the purposes of determining disparagement under Section 2(a).

[51] Barnhart Expert Report (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, p. 18).

[52] Barnhart Expert Report (TTABVue 162, p. 21).

[53] Barnhart Dep. pp. 71-72 (TTABVue 159, pp. 74-75).

[54] Butters 1996 Dep. 72:15-23, Dec. 20, 1996 (TTABVue 163, p. 22).

[55] Irving Lewis Allen, Unkind Words: Ethnic Labeling From Redskin To Wasp (Bergin & Garvey 1990), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 57 (TTABVue 87 p. 20). See also Allen, Irving Lewis, The Language of Ethnic Conflict Social Organization and Lexical Culture (Columbia University Press 1983) p. 51 (Redskin listed as an ethnic epithet for Native American) Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 1 (TTABVue 63, p. 41).

[56] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 1 (TTABVue 62, p. 171).

[57] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 1 (TTABVue 63, p. 11).

[58] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 1 (TTABVue 63, p. 48).

[59] Nunberg Dep. Ex. 9 (TTABVue 83, p. 103).

[60] Nunberg Dep. Ex. 14 (emphasis in original) (TTABVue 83, p. 118).

[61] Nunberg Dep. Ex. 13 (emphasis in original) (TTABVue 83, p. 116).

[62] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 1 (TTABVue 63, p. 18).

[63] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 1 (emphasis in original) (TTABVue 63, p. 57).

[64] Barnhart Expert Report (June 8, 1996), Barnhart Dep. Exh. 3 (TTABVue 162, p. 27).

[65] See Barnhart Expert Report pp. 9, 18-19 (unnumbered) (quoting Sydney Landau, Dictionaries: The Art & Craft of Lexicography (1984)), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 26, 35-36); Butters Expert Report 5-6, 16 (June 7, 1996) (citing Sydney Landau, Dictionaries: The Art & Craft of Lexicography (1984)), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 9 (TTABVue 129, pp. 41-42, 52); Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 331:13-332:25 (TTABVue 81, pp. 224-25).

[66] Barnhart Dep. p. 22, (TTABVue 159 p. 25).

[67] Barnhart Dep. p. 45 (TTABVue 159 p. 48.

[68] Barnhart Expert Report 8 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, p. 25). Barnhart stated that "Standard English" is basically English that "is acceptable in business, normal communications between people, that is, everyday conversation, letter writing, telephone conversation where no particular special connotation is associated . . . in the context under consideration." Barnhart Dep. 36:17-23 (TTABVue 159, p. 39).

[69] Barnhart Expert Report 8 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, p. 25).

[70] Id.

[71] Barnhart Expert Report 9 (unnumbered) (quoting Sydney I. Landau, Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography(1984)), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 26).

[72] Butters 1996 Dep. 61:7-11, 63:22-64:2 (TTABVue 163, p. 20); Butters Expert Report p. 5 citing Sydney I. Landau,Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography (1984) (TTABVue 162 p. 69) ("In addition, what constitutes a significant-enough semantic change to warrant the revision of a dictionary entry is often a judgment call, one which is furthermore highly subject to overt and covert sociopolitical pressures, especially where possible changes in connotation and usage are concerned.")

[73] Butters Dep. pp. 61-64 (TTABVue 163, p. 20).

[74] Barnhart Expert Report 9-11 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 26-28). Mr. Barnhart reviewed twenty dictionaries published between 1946 and 1964. Id.

[75] The report includes a listing for Thorndike-Barnhart Dictionaries that indicates that their World Book Dictionary "1969-1992" had no label but their Intermediate Dictionary included a label starting in 1974. It is unclear which specific years theWorld Book Dictionary was actually published or if the range of years simply indicates the time period before a next edition issued and we do not include that reference in our calculation. The 1989 Oxford English Dictionary has the usage label "not the preferred term"; however, the 1980 Oxford American Dictionary includes the more direct usage label "contemptuous." We include "not the preferred term" in the category of restricted usage, but also find this dictionary less probative than the one directed specifically to American usage.

[76] Id. at 30.

[77] "When labeling a word as disparaging, lexicographers are trying to determine the speaker's intent, and when labeling a word as offensive, they are assessing a hearer's response to it." Barnhart Expert Report (quoting John McCluskey,Dictionaries and Labeling of Words Offensive to Groups With Particular Attention to the Second Edition of the OED, 11 Dictionaries: J. of the Dictionary Soc'y of N. Am. 119 (1989), Barnhart Dep Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, p. 26). See also Barnhart Dep. pp. 51-52 (TTABVue 159, pp. 54-55) ("Offense is something -- disparaging and derogatory tend to refer to the speaker and to the mental baggage that person is carrying along with him. Offensive tends to refer to the hearer and the mental baggage that person is carrying along with him. By 'mental baggage', I mean their experience with the language and how they use it and how they feel about it.")

[78] Barnhart Dep. 63:5-5 (TTABVue 159, p. 66).

[79] Barnhart Expert Report 14 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep., Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, p. 31).

[80] Barnhart Expert Report 8 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, p. 25) (emphasis in the original).

[81] Butters Expert Report 4, Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 9 (TTABVue 129, p.40).

[82] Butters 1996 Dep. 24:11-18 (TTABVue 163, p. 10).

[83] Nunberg Expert Disclosure p. 8 (TTABVue 83, p. 67).

[84] Id.

[85] Nunberg Expert Disclosure p. 9 (TTABVue 83, p. 68).

[86] Id.

[87] Barnhart Expert Report (TTABVue 162, p. 24) (quoting a 1979 edition of James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. This book was first published in 1846). See Butters Expert Report p. 7 (TTABVue 129, p. 43).

[88] Butters Expert Report (TTABVue 129, p. 45). These are titles of various books referenced by Dr. Butters. We note the publisher of the last title in 1982, Random House, since 1966 has included the usage label "often offensive" in its dictionaries. See Barnhart Report (TTABVue 162, p. 27).

[89] Nunberg 1996 Dep. 6:2-21, 149:11-12, 151:18-20 (TTABVue 98, p. 133, TTABVue 99, pp. 101, 103); Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 305:10-306:8 (TTABVue 81, pp. 198-99).

[90] Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 275:1-4 (alteration added) (TTABVue 81, p. 168).

[91] Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 305:17-24 (TTABVue 81, p. 198); see Nunberg 1996 Dep. 150:21-151:1 (TTABVue 99, pp. 102-03).

[92] Nunberg 1996 Dep. 151:17-152:8 (TTABVue 99, pp. 103-04); Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 305:25-306:25 (TTABVue 81, pp. 198-99).

[93] Nunberg 1996 Dep. 152:9-14 (TTABVue 99, 104); Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 305:25-306:8, 307:1-2 (TTABVue 81, 198-200).

[94] Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 307:3-8 (TTABVue 81, p. 200); see Nunberg 1996 Dep. 153:23-154:16 (TTABVue 99, pp. 105-06).

[95] Nunberg 1996 Dep. 156:3 (TTABVue 99, p. 108).

[96] Nunberg Report p. 2 (TTABVue 83, p. 84). See also Nunberg Dep. p. 305-310, 314:16-21 (TTABVue 81, p. 198-203, 207).

[97] Id. at 3 (TTABVue 83, p. 85).

[98] Id. at 5 (TTABVue 83, p. 86).

[99] Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. 307:18-308:2 (TTABVue 81, pp. 200-01).

[100] Pet'rs' Br. p. 18.

[101] Barnhart Expert Report 3, 18 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 20, 35).

[102] Barnhart Dep. 64:13 (TTABVue 159, p. 67); Barnhart Expert Report 3, 12 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 20, 29).

[103] Barnhart Expert Report 12 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 161, p. 29); see Barnhart Dep. 69:5-8; 117 (TTABVue 159, p. 72, 120).

[104] Barnhart Dep. 67:15-70:6 (TTABVue 159, pp. 70-73).

[105] Barnhart Expert Report (TTABVue 162, p. 31).

[106] Barnhart 1997 Dep. p. 162 (TTABVue 161, p. 10).

[107] Barnhart 1997 Dep. p. 181:2-25; 182:2-12, (TTABVue 161 p. 15).

[108] National Congress of American Indians Est. 1944, Resolution No. EX DC-93-11, Resolution in Support of the Petition for Cancellation of the Registered Services Marks of the Washington Redskins AKA Pro-Football Inc. (Jan. 18-19, 1993) ("NCAI Resolution"), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 3 (TTABVue 63, pp. 71-77).

[109] Id. (emphasis added).

[110] Resp. Br. Appendix A p. 1 (TTABVue 181, p. 58).

[111] Resp. Br. p. 20 (TTABVue 181, p. 26) quoting Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1255.

[112] Parties' Stipulation (TTABVue 31).

[113] There is nothing in the record to even suggest that NCAI's procedures were not followed. While Ms. Chase was not present when the resolution was voted on, she did attend the January 18-19 gathering, during which the resolution was adopted. Chase Dep. p. 52 (TTABVue 98, p. 58).

[114] To put these numbers in better context, according to the Census Bureau, there were 523,591 Native Americans in the United States in 1960, 792,730 in 1970, 1,364,033 in 1980, and 1,878,285 in 1990. Campbell Gibson & Kay Jung, Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For The United States, Regions, Divisions, and States App. B, tbls. B-1 to B-3 (U.S. Census Bureau, Working Paper Ser. No. 56, 2002). The U.S. census is a standard reference; therefore, we may take judicial notice of its data. Fed. R. Evid. 201; In re Broyhill Furniture Indus. Inc., 60 USPQ2d 1511, 1514 n.4 (TTAB 2001).

[115] We further note respondent elicited and relied upon testimony provided in 1997 regarding views held in 1967. Barnhart 1997 Dep. pp. 170-171 (TTABVue 161, pp. 12-13) (Mr. Barnhart stating his opinion that the word "redskins" is not disparaging with regard to "the Redskins team" in 1967 through 1997). As discussed infra, Mr. Barnhart's definition of disparaging requires intent from the speaker.

[116] We note in the Harjo decision that while Resolution 93-11 was part of the record, the Board quoted from a different NCAI resolution that could be appropriately characterized as "indicating a present objection" to the word Redskins in respondent's marks. Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 U.S.P.Q.2d at 1725, 1747. See "Resolution to Justice Department Investigation of Human Rights Violations ... NCAI Resolution 93-143, calling for the abolition of Indian nicknames, Mascots and Images and commercial use of these by sporting industries, colleges, universities and automobile manufacturers ... NCAI does hereby request Senator Ben Campbell-Democrat, Colorado, and Senator Don Nickles-Republican, Oklahoma, to direct the Justice Department to investigate any human and civil rights violations by colleges, universities, and public institutions and exploit Indian imagry [sic] and lifestyles." Petitioner's Notice of Reliance Ex. 3 (TTABVue 83, pp. 47-48). By contrast, Resolution 93-11 clearly speaks to the viewpoint during the relevant time period. With regard to Resolution 93-11 the Board noted that "[e]vidence concerning the significance of the word 'redskin(s)' before and after the relevant time periods may shed light on its significance during those time periods." Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 U.S.P.Q.2d at 1715. To clarify, while the evidence is from a time directly after the relevant time period, it addresses the viewpoint during the relevant time period and, therefore, goes beyond "indicating a present objection." Rather, it is evidence of the viewpoint during the relevant time period.

[117] We further note an editorial from the Albuquerque Journal dated September 12, 1992 includes the following statement: "One could argue that when the team was originally named, most people -- make that most White people -- didn't consider the word 'redskins' derogatory. But Indians have long objected to the term." Emphasis added. Petitioner's Notice of Reliance Ex. 20 (TTABVue 71, p. 87). New Mexico was home to 133,816 Native Americans in 1990 according to the Census data and a good portion of the Navajo Nation --Ms. Blackhorse, one of the petitioners, is a registered member of the Navajo Nation. Census Bureau, U.S. Dep't of Commerce, Pub. No. 1900 CP-3-7, 1990 Census of Population Characteristics of Am. Indians by Tribe & Language tbl. 1 (1994).

While we do not know if the newspaper editorial was written by a Native American, as a newspaper in a state with an appreciable number of Native Americans it is reasonable to infer that the editorial board has some knowledge regarding the sentiments of the Native American community. This is simply another example of a statement describing views held in the past. Such statements serve to cover the relevant time periods. Respondent's relevancy objection to this editorial as being from a different time period and as not written by a Native American is overruled.

[118] Chase Dep. 7:11-13, Apr. 26, 1996 (TTABVue 98, p. 13).

[119] Id. 5:19-22 (TTABVue 98, p. 11).

[120] Gross Dep. 7:23-8:1, June 11, 1997 (TTABVue 79, pp. 169-70).

[121] Gross Dep. 8:4-8:11 (TTABVue 79, p. 170).

[122] Gross Dep. 16:11-16:19 (TTABVue 79, p. 178). Respondent's objection to this testimony as "irrelevant in lacking foundation and scientific basis" is overruled. The testimony simply pertains to an event he participated in and the motivation for that event.

[123] Gross Dep. Ex. 32.007: Letter from Harold Gross, Dir., Indian Legal Information Dev. Servs., to Edward Bennett Williams (Jan. 18, 1972) (TTABVue 77, pp. 11-13; TTABVue 105, p. 71-73 (duplicate)).

[124] Gross Dep. 9:2-9:5, 18:7-18:11 (TTABVue 79, pp. 171, 180).

[125] Gross Dep. 18:19-18:23 (TTABVue 79, p. 180), Gross Dep. Ex. 32.006 (TTABVue 77, p. 10; TTABVue 105, p. 69 (duplicate)).

[126] Gross Dep. 19:23-20:1 (TTABVue 79, pp. 181-82).

[127] Resp's Br. Appendix A p. 12. We further note, Mr. Gross' deposition is another example of contemporary testimony regarding past events and opinions that are not objected to as irrelevant on that basis. We further note respondent did not object to the NCAI resolution as not representing Native American tribes.

[128] Gross Dep. Ex. 32.005 (TTABVue 77, p. 9).

[129] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 18 (TTABVue 48, p. 33) (emphasis added)

[130] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 18 (TTABVue 48, pp. 85-86) (emphasis added). We do not find the discrepancy between the reports in the Daily News and Post as to the membership of the NCAI as significant. The two reports agree that NCAI claimed to represent at least 300,000 American Indians.

[131] Gross Dep. p. 37 (TTABVue 79, p. 199).

[132] National Congress of American Indians Est. 1944 Resolution No. Ex DC-93-11, (TTABVue 63, p. 71) (emphasis added).

[133] Lakota Times (September 16, 1992), Pet'rs' Notice of Reliance Ex. 20 (TTABVue 71 pp. 88-89). Respondent's objection that this article was published after the relevant time period is overruled. We only rely on the article for the information provided regarding NCAI's activities during the relevant time period. See also NCAI Sentinel (Winter-Spring 1969) (TTABVue 48 pp. 80-82) "NCAI Wages War on Indian Image" (campaign to combat negative images and references to Native Americans); and letter from William B. Welles and Charles B. Kusen to Mr. Pete Rozelle (April 25, 1972) (commenting on "movement to change the familiar titles of many teams in the sports world," including the "Redskins") Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 32 (TTABVue 77 p. 20).

[134] See Michigan Civil Rights Commission Report on Use of Nicknames, Logos and Mascots Depicting Native American People in Michigan Education Institutions (October 1988) ("Michigan Comm'n Report"), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 77 (TTABVue 91, p. 94).

[135] Michigan Comm'n Report, at 13 (TTABVue 91, p. 108).

[136] Michigan Comm'n Report, at 21-22 (TTABVue 91, pp. 116-17).

[137] Michigan Comm'n Report, at 6 (TTABVue 91, p. 101).

[138] Statement to the [Miami] University Senate, Dr. Britton Harwood 1993 Minutes from University Senate April 5, 1993, Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 87 (TTABVue 95, p. 19). These minutes were made admissible in the Harjo proceeding in view of both parties not objecting to the other parties' documents submitted under notice of reliance. They have been stipulated into this record and there is no objection based on authentication or foundation and any hearsay objection is waived (respondent objects to the relevancy of these minutes for other reasons that do not impair the statement regarding how many tribes are members of NCAI in 1993). In addition, an article from the newspaper The Voice (April 27, 1993) titled "Harwood Addresses U. Senate on 'Redskin' Issue" includes the statement "The National Congress of American Indians, representing approximately 150 tribal governments, calls it a racial slur." Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 88 (TTABVue 95, p. 29).

[139] Chase Dep. pp. 104-105 (TTABVue 98, pp. 110-11), Respondent's Notice of Reliance Ex. 29.1 (TTABVue 142, p. 43) (shown as the Deloria Exhibit 35 also presented as exhibit 41 in the Chase deposition).

[140] 1995 Federal Register, Respondent's Notice of Reliance Ex. 64 (TTABVue 151, pp. 57-63).

[141] Chase Dep. p. 54 (TTABVue 98, p. 60). It is interesting to note that the 1992 WTOP survey shows 28 percent of tribal leaders (again approximately 30 percent) found the name offensive and wanted it changed. John Kent Cooke Dep., Ex. 6 (TTABVue 149, pp. 43-68; TTABVue 156, pp. 11-38).

[142] Jack Kent Cooke was respondent's former "chairman of the Board, . . . president and a director." John Kent Cooke Dep. 15:16-21, Mar. 26, 1996 (TTABVue 65, p. 86).

[143] Letter from Clyde H. Bellecourt, Nat'l Dir., Am. Indian Movement, and William A. Means, President, Int'l Indian Treaty Council, to Jack Kent Cooke (Dec. 20, 1991), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 5 (TTABVue 63, pp. 172-76).

[144] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 5 (TTABVue 63, pp. 84-177; 67 pp. 14, 65, 86-87, 93, 130); petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 2 (TTABVue 77, p. 6).

[145] Letter from Clyde H. Bellecourt, Nat'l Dir., Am. Indian Movement, and William A. Means, President, Int'l Indian Treaty Council, to Jack Kent Cooke (Dec. 20, 1991), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 5 (TTABVue 63, pp. 172-76); Letter from Loren Stiffarm, President, Nat'l Indian Educ. Ass'n, to Manuel Lujan, Dept. of Interior (Mar. 16, 1992), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 5 (TTABVue 67, pp. 37-38); Letter from Sharon Metz, Dir., H.O.N.O.R. to Jack Kent Cooke (Oct. 1992), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 5 (TTABVue 67, pp. 68, 136).

[146] Letter from Otoe-Missouria Tribe to Jack Kent Cooke (Oct. 8, 1993), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 5 (TTABVue 67, p. 150). According to the Census Bureau, there were a total of 1,762 Otoe-Missourias in the United States in 1990. Census Bureau, U.S. Dep't of Commerce, Pub. No. 1900 CP-3-7, 1990 Census of Population Characteristics of Am. Indians by Tribe & Language tbl. 1 (1994).

[147] Respondent's objections to these letters as irrelevant because there is no evidence that the authors are Native Americans or represent any Native American tribe or organization are overruled. The writers self-identified as Native Americans and respondent waived the hearsay objection. Moreover respondent relies on the same type of evidence for the truth of the matter asserted, see infra.

[148] Letter from Billy Kevin Gover to Edward Bennett Williams (July 18, 1972), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 32 (TTABVue 77, p. 6).

[149] Letter from Joan W. Drake to Jack Kent Cooke (January 21, 1988), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 5 (TTABVue 63, p. 86).

[150] Letter from Roxanna Pucher to Jack Kent Cooke (February 22, 1988), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 5 (TTABVue 63, pp. 108-109).

[151] Letter from Norma Lussier to Jack Kent Cooke (member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians) (March 18, 1988), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 5 (TTABVue 63, p. 127).

[152] Letter from Adora Martin (May 2, 1988) to Jack Kent Cooke, Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 5 (TTABVue 63, 134).

[153] Letter from Jeffrey Valentino to Jack Kent Cooke (September 14, 1992), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 5 (TTABVue 67, p. 65).

[154] Letter from Kimberly Whitehead to Jack Kent Cooke (October 8, 1993), Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 5 (TTABVue 67, p. 130).

[155] See App. A (detailed listing of submissions by petitioners' notice of reliance).

[156] Resolution of Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. (1992), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 27 (TTABVue 142, pp. 28-29), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.2 (TTABVue 142, pp. 32-33 (duplicate). See also letter from Floyd E. Leonard, Chief of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, to C. A. Buser (June 21, 1991) (explaining that the Miami Tribe voted to support and acknowledge its pride in the use of the name "Redskins" by Miami University in Oxford, Ohio), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Exhibit 28.7 (TTABVue 142, pp. 39-40).

[157] Letter from Stan Jones Sr., Chairman, the Tulalip Tribes, to Sen. John McCain (Oct. 30, 1991), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.1 (TTABVue 142, pp. 30-31). See letter from Stanley G. Jones Sr., Chairman, the Tulalip Tribes, to Redskin Support Comm. (Aug. 31, 1992) (expressing no objection by the Tulalip Tribe to the use of the "Redskins" name), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.6 (TTABVue 142, p. 38).

[158] Letter from Robert J. Salgado, Chairman, Soboba Band of Mission Indians, to Jack Kent Cooke (Jan. 17, 1992), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.3 (TTABVue 142, p. 34).

[159] Letter from Hollis E. Roberts, Chief, Choctaw Nation of Okla., to Charlie Dayton, V.P., Wash. Redskins Communications Dep't (Jan. 23, 1992), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.4 (TTABVue 142, pp. 35-36).

[160] Id. (TTABVue 142, p. 36).

[161] Id.

[162] Letter from Jerry G. Haney, Principal Chief, Seminole Nation of Okla., to Jack Kent Cooke (Jan. 23, 1992), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.5 (TTABVue 142, p. 37).

[163] Merna L. Lewis, V.P., Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (Ariz.), to Jo Walter (July 14, 1992), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.8 (TTABVue 142, p. 41).

[164] Jonathan L. Taylor, Principal Chief, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to Jo Walter (July 16, 1992), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 28.9 (TTABVue 142, p. 42).

[165] Id.

[166] Associated Press, "NAACP Objects to 'Redskins'; Chief Doesn't,'D' N. Va. Daily, Aug. 5, 1992, Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 19 (TTABVue 48, p. 59).

[167] Letter from Robert D. Kahn to Jack Kent Cooke (Nov. 4, 1991), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 33 (TTABVue 143, pp. 6-8).

[168] Marcus Anthony Briggs-Cloud Dep. 67:20-68:14, 72:14-73:18, June 23, 2011 (TTABVue 121, pp. 73-74, 78-79); Briggs-Cloud Dep. Ex. 3 (Chris C. Jenkins, "Son, Daughter Celebrated in Memorial Tourneys," Seminole Tribune (Fla.), Apr. 30, 2010, at 1C) (TTABVue 121, p. 24). We note this article is not from nor does it reference the relevant period.

[169] "Redskins Sign Indian," Washington Daily News, Mar. 10, 1959, at 37, Respondent's Ex. 31.1 (TTABVue 143, p. 4).

[170] Tom Yorke, "An Indian Joins the Redskins," Washington Daily News, July 27, 1959, Respondent's Ex. 31.2 (TTABVue 143, p. 5).

[171] Despite the waiver of hearsay objections, we only rely on the content of these documents to corroborate testimony and NCAI Resolution 93-11, and when various documents point to the same result to establish sufficient indicia of reliability.West Florida Seafood, Inc. v. Jet Restaurants, 31 F.3d 1122, 31 USPQ2d 1660, 1663 (Fed. Cir. 1994).

[172] Although titled "General Analysis" this category includes evidence and findings of fact based on Native American viewpoints, i.e., the viewpoint of paramount concern under the applicable analysis.

[173] This is not in dispute and is evident from the answer to the first part of the test, i.e., that REDSKINS retains the meaning Native American. However, it is also amply supported by the multitude of dictionary definitions in the record, including those set forth in the majority opinion. See also Barnhart Rept. p. 1 (TTABVue 129, p. 5).

[174] This has been conceded and established by the record as part of the first prong of the test.

[175] Barnhart Dep. p. 70-71 (TTABVue 159, p. 74); Barnhart Rept. (TTABVue 162, p. 21); Nunberg Dep. Ex. 14 (TTABVue 83, p. 118) Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged (2d ed. 1977) "so called from the reddish or coppery color of the skin." This is not in dispute. Resp. Br. pp. 38-40.

[176] Allen, Irving Lewis, Unkind Words: Ethnic Labeling from Redskin to WASP (Bergin & Garvey 1990) p. 18 ("Nearly half of all interracial slurs ... refer to real or imagined physical differences. ... Most references to physical differences are to skin color, which affirms what we have always known about the significance of color in human relations. Asian groups were called yellow this and that and Native Americans were called redskins, red men, and red devils.") petitioners' notice of reliance Ex. 57 (TTABVue 87, p. 20). See also Allen, Irving Lewis, The Language of Ethnic Conflict Social Organization and Lexical Culture (Columbia University Press 1983) p. 51 (Redskin listed as a disparaging slur for Native Americans), petitioner's notice of reliance Ex. 1 (TTABVue 63, p. 41). In a deposition submitted by respondent, Richard Leslie Vaughn, director of communications for the Washington football team, presents an example that reference to skin color is disparaging. "Q. What is it about the word 'darkie' that causes you to believe that it refers to African-Americans? A. The color of their skin. Q. Do you consider the word 'darkie' derogatory? A. Yes. Q. Do you consider it disparaging? Yes." Vaughn Dep. pp. 148-149 (TTABVue 158, pp. 151-152).

[177] Barnhart Rept. (TTABVue 162, p. 25). This is not in dispute.

[178] Barnhart Rept. (TTABVue 162, p. 21).

[179] Barnhart Rept. (TTABVue 162, p. 21). Regarding respondent's attempt to weaken the usage labels by pointing to the qualifier "often," as in "often offensive" indicating that it allows for contexts in which it would not be offensive, the usage labels for HEBE, KIKE GOOK, CHINK and NIGGER are all qualified by "usually," yet it would be hard to imagine anyone feeling emboldened to adopt as a team name any one of these words based on the qualifier "usually." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (10th ed. 1998). The Board may take judicial notice of dictionary definitions. In re Red Bull GmbH, 78 USPQ2d 1375, 1378 (TTAB 2006). See also Nunberg Dep. p. 343-344 (TTABVue 81 pp. 236-237) "As for the 'often' that is sometimes added as a hedge and is even added to words whose status has disparaging epithets is beyond a question like 'nigger.' That's usually used merely to make an exception of the ironic uses of the word often by members of the group to whom it's applied."

[180] Barnhart Rept. (TTABVue 162, p. 26). Apart from respondent's expert report, respondent points to a 1987 entry from theOxford English Dictionary that does not have a usage label. However, the 1980 Oxford American Dictionary entry of record contains the usage label "contemptuous" and is obviously more probative on this point inasmuch as we are concerned about the meaning of language in the United States -- not the English speaking world at large. (TTABVue 86, p. 76). Moreover, by 1989 even the Oxford English Dictionary added the usage label "not the preferred term." (TTABVue 63, pp. 55-57).

[181] Chase Dep. p. 34 (TTABVue 98, p. 40).

[182] Lakota Times (September 16, 1992) ("The National Congress of American Indians has been battling against the racist use of Indians as mascots for decades. The battle has been uphill all the way because mainstream America does not see the term [Redskins] as offensive -- because they are not American Indians. ... Mr. Deloria who directed NCAI in the 1960's and spoke out on the mascot issue then ... The grounds for cancellation of the federal registration include: The term 'Redskin' ... is ... disparaging.") TTABVue 71, p. 89. See also NCAI Sentinel "NCAI Wages War on Indian Image" (Winter-Spring 1969) (campaign to combat negative images and references to Native Americans). TTABVue 48, pp. 80-82. See also letter from William B. Welles and Charles B. Kusen to Mr. Pete Rozelle (April 25, 1972) (commenting on "movement to change the familiar titles of many teams in the sports world," including the "Redskins") (TTABVue 77, p. 20).

[183] Letter from Clyde H. Bellecourt, National Director of AIM and William A. Means President of International Indian Treaty Council to Jack Kent Cooke (December 20, 1992) (TTABVue 63, p. 172). See also The Evening Star (Washington D.C. Wednesday January 19, 1972) "the New American Indian Movement is considering a suit against the Washington Redskins ... [a]s for the Washington Redskins, the movement suggests that 'insult is added to injury' when the Redskins are sometimes referred to as 'the Skins."') TTABVue 77, p. 14; Star Tribune (November 1, 1991) ("The American Indian Movement and others have for decades urged professional teams to drop Indian names .... Indian activist Russell Means even sued the Cleveland Indians in 1972.") (TTABVue 71, p. 21, 33-35).

[184] Butters Report p. 5, (TTABVue 129, p. 41; 165 p. 8) ("Usage labels are subject to sociopolitical pressure. ... [W]hat constitutes a significant-enough semantic change to warrant the revision of a dictionary entry is often a judgment call, one which is furthermore highly subject to overt and covert sociopolitical pressures, especially where possible changes in connotation and usage are concerned. ... 'Quite simply, it is a concerted attempt by various pressure groups to force dictionary editors to ... abandon the traditions of setting down the language as it is actually used, however, disagreeable, regrettable, or uncongenial the use."') p. 5-6, quoting Landau, Sydney, Dictionaries The Art and Craft of Lexicography(1984)). Barnhart Dep. p. 22 ("But some people that are in lexicography have been known to be less stalwart and have caved in to suggestions from non-editorial sources."). (TTABVue 159, p. 25), see also Barnhart Dep. pp. 80-82 (TTABVue 159, pp. 82-83) and Barnhart 1997 Dep. pp. 200-201; 210-211 (TTABVue 161, pp. 20; 23). See also Nunberg Dep. pp. 331-339 (TTABVue 81, pp. 224-232).

Thus, as the referenced minority asserts itself through pressure groups, the general population "abandon[s] the traditions of setting down the language" as it uses the word. This is amply demonstrated by the record where the use of REDSKIN or REDSKINS is rampantly used in literature, newspapers and movies by the mainstream prior to the 1960's to refer to Native Americans, and severely drops off, except as to the football team, after the 1960's. Nunberg Rept. (TTABVue 108, p. 107), (TTABVue 83, p. 85). See also Butters Dep. Exh. 10 "How to Hate Thy Neighbor A Guide to Racist Maledicta Maledicta II" p. 169 (TTABVue 171, p. 18) ("Redskin Any Native American, after the red warpaint they traditionally wore when attacking white settlers. Formerly insulting, now seldom used except in connection with the Washington Redskins football team.") Mr. Barnhart's search of newspapers and other publications from 1969-1996 revealed only 2 percent of the uses of redskin were references to Native Americans. Barnhart Rept. (TTABVue 129, pp. 7, 17). As noted by Mr. Barnhart "In recent years the sensitivities of these people [Native Americans] have caused some speakers of English to adjust their usage of some of these terms accordingly." (emphasis added) Barnhart Rept. (TTABVue 129, p. 15). He also acknowledges the trend in usage labels from "1965 to the present (1992)." "It is clear that in the last 18 years the opinions of the editors of dictionaries concerning the current usage of redskin is not uniformly agreed upon. For the first time since 1872 (when dictionaries began entering the term redskin), editors have begun to report some change in its use." Id. Barnhart concludes the term redskin "is acceptable in both formal and informal speech or writing of educated people" yet his own research demonstrates that it is not so used, at least in written form from 1969-1996.

Looking at Mr. Barnhart's research in combination with Nunberg's research, Mr. Barnhart's unequivocal conclusion is in conflict with the underlying data. Similarly, Dr. Butter's unequivocal conclusion that the term redskin is a ""minor variant" for American Indian is contradicted by his acknowledgement of dictionaries labeling it as offensive during the relevant time period. Butters Dep. (TTABVue 163, pp. 10, 20); Butters Rept. (TTABVue 129, p. 51). Because the conclusions of Mr. Barnhart and Dr. Butters are in direct conflict with the usage labels and the disappearance of the term from American English, since the 1960's, the time period with which we are concerned, we give their ultimate conclusions little weight.

[185] This is not in dispute see Pro-Football, 68 USPQ2d at 1234. Nunberg 2/18/97 Dep. (TTABVue 81, pp. 200-201); Barnhart Dep. (TTABVue 159, p. 72). The trial record includes evidence on this point up until 1996; the Harjo trial period ended on June 3, 1997. Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 45 USPQ2d 1789 (TTAB 1998). Respondent points to Mr. Butter's statement that the appearance of the term "redskins" in connection with its team in newspaper sport pages indicates that "they" (presumably the editors) find no pejorative connotations what[so]ever to the word." Pet'rs' Br. p. 28 quoting Butters Rebuttal Report (TTABVue 151). However, the fact that people other than the referenced group continue to use the term in one last context is not compelling evidence that the referenced group does not find it to be disparaging.

[186] Id.

[187] Chase Dep. p. 4 (TTABVue 98, p. 10).

[188] NCAI By-Laws (TTABVue 83, p. 42). See also Chase Dep. p. 28, Ex. 108 (TTABVue 98, p. 34).

[189] Chase Dep. p. 30.

[190] Chase Dep. p. 30.

[191] Chase Dep. p. 30.

[192] Chase Dep. p. 42.

[193] Chase Dep. p. 43, 44; By-Laws.

[194] Chase Dep. p. 55.

[195] Chase Dep. p. 62.

[196] Chase Dep. p. 47.

[197] Chase Dep. p. 54.

[198] "The National Congress of American Indians, representing approximately 150 tribal governments, calls it a racial slur." Statement to the [Miami] University Senate, Dr. Britton Harwood 1993 Minutes from University Senate April 5, 1993, (TTABVue 95, p. 19). See also The Voice (April 27, 1993) "Harwood Addresses U. Senate on 'Redskin' Issue" ("The National Congress of American Indians, representing approximately 150 tribal governments, calls it a racial slur.") (TTABVue 95, p. 29); letter from Dale Pullen to Charlie Drayton wherein it is stated that NCAI represented 30 percent of the Native Americans in 1992. (TTABVue 98, at 111, TTABVue 142, p. 43) (shown as the Deloria Exhibit 35 also presented as exhibit 41 in the Chase deposition). In 1995, there were approximately 500 recognized tribes in the United States; 150 would have been about one third in 1993. 1995 Federal Register, respondent's Notice of Reliance (TTABVue 151, pp. 57-63). Ms. Chase also testified that there were between 100 -- 400 members at the time the resolution was taken. Chase Dep. p. 54. See also 1992 WTOP telephone survey of tribal leaders submitted by respondent, shows approximately 30 percent of tribal leaders found the name offensive and wanted it changed. John Kent Cooke Dep., Ex. 6 (TTABVue 149, pp. 43-68; TTABVue 156, pp. 11-38).

By contrast, the 1992 letters from "tribal leaders" submitted by respondent are purportedly from 6 tribes and the Inter-tribal Council resolution represents 5 tribes in Oklahoma. In addition, the letter from Mr. Roberts explicitly only references his personal belief and not the tribe's collective opinion. (TTABVue 142, p. 36) ("If I were opposed to the football team name... The Washington Redskins is a team I admire ... Thank you for this opportunity to express my views...").

[199] National Congress of American Indians Est. 1944 Resolution No. Ex DC-93-11, (TTABVue 63, p. 71).

[200] At oral hearing, in arguing that petitioners have not satisfied their burden by a preponderance of the evidence, respondent's counsel noted the absence of resolutions from 1967 to 1990. Obviously, contemporaneous resolutions, from NCAI or other organizations or tribal bodies, would be significant evidence; however, given the evidence of record that corroborates that the views of past perception expressed in 1993 were also held in 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978 and 1990, we find the evidence of record to be sufficient.

[201] NCAI By-laws (TTABVue 83, p. 43).

[202] Gross Dep. pp. 19-20 (TTABVue 79, pp. 181-182). Letter from Edward Bennett Williams to Commissioner Rozelle (March 30, 1972) ("I met with a delegation of American Indian leaders. ... Among those who met with me yesterday were ... Leon F. Cook, President, National Congress of American Indians.") (TTABVue 105, p. 81); Gross Dep. pp. 19-20 (TTABVue 79, pp. 181-182). See also Washington Daily News (Thursday March 30, 1972) (From an article discussing the meeting with Edward Bennett Williams the following excerpt "After Petite's fist shaking speech, Williams closed this first meeting with the American Indians who claim his team nickname, 'Redskins' is a racial slur. The eleven Indian representatives included ... Leon Cook, president of the National Congress of American Indians which claims a membership of 300,000; Dennis J. Banks, national chairman of the American Indian Movement." (emphasis added) (TTABVue 48, p. 33); The Washington Post (Thursday March 30, 1972) ("A DELEGATION OF 11 people representing a variety of Indian organizations ... Among the group ... requesting that 'the derogatory racial epithet 'Redskins" be banished from the Washington sports scene were ...Leon Cook, president of the National Congress of American Indians which claims a membership of 350,000 Indians, according to the protesting group's informal leader, Harold Gross, an attorney for another Indian organization.") (emphasis added) (TTABVue 48, pp. 85-86). Harold Gross testified that he worked for NCAI in 1969 and would have first-hand knowledge as to the membership in that time period. Gross Dep. p. 37 (TTABVue 79, p. 199).

[203] "Recommendations to the Washington, D.C. Professional Football Team" (TTABVue 77, p. 9). Some of the others included Ron Aquilar, President of the Washington Chapter National Indian Youth Council. Mr. Aquilar, in his capacity as President of the Washington Chapter National Indian Youth Council sent a letter to the "Washington Redskin Football Team" objecting to the team name REDSKINS. ("I don't see why it is so hard for people to understand why the word 'Redskin' is a racial slur, therefore degrading. This fact is established by the everyday racism towards my people ... Regardless of whether the word insults ten of us or ten thousand of us that is not the point.") (TTABVue 77, p. 17).

[204] Washington Daily News, supra, The Washington Post, supra; Gross Dep., supra. See also letter from Billy Kevin Gover, a "Comanche Indian from Oklahoma," dated July 18, 1972, also indicating 300,000 Native Americans object to the name REDSKINS. (TTABVue 77, p. 6). "Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals by Race," supra.

[205] Lakota Times (TTABVue 71, p. 89). See also NCAI Sentinel (1969) (TTABVue 48, pp. 80-82).

[206] Gross Dep. pp. 19-20 (TTABVue 79, pp. 181-182).

[207] Michigan Civil Rights Commission Report (October 1988) ("The National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest national Indian group in the U.S. also supports this organization's [Fan's Against Indian Racism] efforts to have the Washington team's name changed.") (TTABVue 91, p. 101).

[208] Lakota Times (March 4, 1992) ("D.C. council to consider 'Redskins' protest") (TTABVue 71, p. 71); Lakota Times(September 16, 1992) ("Action taken to chop 'Redskins' trademark") (TTABVue 71, p. 89); The Circle (October 1992) ("National Coalition Challenges Federal Trademark Registrations").

[209] Pet'rs' Br. p. 26 n. 94.

[210] We further note that there was no evidence of use of Native American indicia in connection with the term "squaw" when used with ski-related goods. Squaw Valley, 80 USPQ2d at 1279.

[211] This type of evidence is particularly useful here where the claim pertains to the views of a group rather than just an individual opinion.

The dissent points to Native American use of Indian imagery for sports teams. However, the evidence of various instances where predominantly Native American schools or groups have adopted other designs and/or words referencing Native Americans and/or Native American culture in connection with the schools or sports teams, has no relevance to the use of the word "Redskins." E.g., Haskell Indian Nations University displaying an Indian head logo. The title of the newspaper article relied on by the dissent, in fact, supports the majority position: "'Chop' is spreading, but Indians Disagree on What is Offensive Most Decry 'Redskins' Nickname." Star Tribune (Minn.), Nov. 1, 1991, at 2B, petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 20 (TTABVue 71, pp. 21, 33-35). In any event, the fact that differences of opinion exist within the group does not obviate a claim of disparagement. Heeb, 89 USPQ2d at 1077 ("Although some in the community may not find it disparaging, as noted above, the evidence shows that there is a substantial component of those in the named group who do.").

[212] As discussed supra, the record clearly points to specific numbers throughout the time period. Therefore, the dissent's statement at being "astound[ed] that the petitioners did not submit any evidence regarding the Native American population during the relevant time frame" and characterization of the evidence as "a house of cards," is simply incorrect. Moreover, taking judicial notice of the U.S. Census population statistics did not require any ""gyrations." As noted earlier, while more evidence would provide more support, the existing record shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a substantial composite of the referenced group found the term disparaging during the relevant time period when used in connection with respondent's services and respondent has not rebutted that showing by providing a handful of examples of some members of the referenced group holding a different opinion. Heeb, 89 USPQ2d at 1070. See also West Fla. Seafood, Inc. v. Jet Restaurants, 31 USPQ2d at 1663 (Board should look at evidence as a whole to recognize "clear interrelationships existing between the several pieces of evidence submitted.")

[213] Mr. Williams appropriately refers to them as "a delegation of American Indian leaders...." Letter from Edward Bennett Williams to Commissioner Pete Rozelle (March 30, 1972), (TTABVue 105, p. 81). See also Washington Post (March 30, 1972) (TTABVue 48, pp. 85-86).

[214] See Chicago Tribune (May 21, 1992) ("In pros or preps, 'Redskins' a slur" ... "And let there be no doubt that 'redskin' is a vile word. Contemporary dictionaries acknowledge it as a disparaging and offensive slang term") (TTABVue 71, p. 82).

[215] "Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals by Race," supra. In this regard we note that, in commenting on the results of the WTOP survey where 28 percent of tribal leaders voiced objection to the word REDSKINS for the name of a football team, Mr. Vaughn, as an employee of respondent, voiced the opinion that it was a "favorative [sic] response to the name 'the Redskins' being used by the Washington football team among citizens of this area and also among Native Americans." Vaughn Dep. p. 70 (TTABVue 158, p. 73). This indicates an acceptance by respondent of the possibility of disparaging approximately one third of Native Americans. Respondent's argument, contrary to established precedent, that a substantial composite should be a majority of the referenced group reflects this attitude, i.e., that it is acceptable to disparage up to forty-nine percent of Native Americans. Resp. Br. p. 21. This is clearly in direct contradiction to the legal test enunciated by our primary reviewing court and as set forth in our pretrial order.

[216] The District Court also expressed concern that the Board was silent as to "whether it paid cautious heed to the admonition that in proceedings where a party has waited longer to bring a cancellation petition, that party has a very serious burden of making its case, even though the standard of proof is not technically different and remains 'a preponderance of the evidence."' Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 68 USPQ2d at 1246. As stated in Rockwood Chocolate Co., Inc. v. Hoffman Candy Co., 152 USPQ at 601, the Board exercises due caution in making a determination to cancel a registration, in particular, registrations that have existed for decades. We note, however, that although the first attempt to cancel the registrations did not occur until 1992, the out of court challenge to use of the marks in the six registrations, based on this record, has been ongoing for several decades. Respondent was not blindsided by either Harjo or this proceeding, but merely faces the inevitable use by petitioners of a predictable legal option, employed after requests and protests did not result in discontinuation of the use and registration of the term REDSKINS.

[217] Board's May 31, 2011 Order, p. 12 n.6 (TTABVue 40) (internal quotations omitted).

[218] TTABVue 178.

[219] May 5, 2011 Order, p. 4 (TTABVue 39).

[220] TTABVue 61, p. 38.

[221] As succinctly expressed in Ms. Whitehead's 1993 letter, this is an issue that "will not go away." Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex 5 (TTABVue 67, p. 130).

[222] Blackhorse Dep. 7:16-18 (TTABVue 122, p. 15).

[223] Gover Dep. 11:10-12 (TTABVue 120, p. 17).

[224] Tsotigh Dep. 23:2-18 (TTABVue 115, p. 29).

[225] Briggs-Cloud Dep. 41:5-6 (TTABVue 110, p. 47).

[226] Pappan Dep., p. 80:20-22 (TTABVue 112, p. 84).

[227] As discussed supra, the District Court had earlier found laches as to all the Harjo plaintiffs, but the D.C. Circuit remanded for further consideration as to one plaintiff.

[228] Nor is this case about whether respondent may continue to use the term "redskins" as the name of a professional football team. As observed by the majority, our jurisdiction is limited to deciding only whether the marks that are the subject of this proceeding may continue to be registered. We have no authority to compel parties to cease use of marks.

[229] The petitioners did not resubmit the depositions of the Harjo petitioners in this case.

[230] May 31, 2011 order summarizing pretrial conference (TTABVue 40). Petitioners also resubmitted the Ross Survey which the Board and the district court both held had little, if any, probative value.

[231] See supra note 49.

[232] Barnhart Dep., pp. 71-72 (TTABVue 159, pp. 74-75).

[233] Letter from Robert D. Kahn to Jack Kent Cooke (Nov. 4, 1991), Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 33 (TTABVue 143, pp. 6-8).

[234] Marcus Anthony Briggs-Cloud Dep. 67:20-68:14, 72:14-73:18, June 23, 2011 (TTABVue 121, pp. 73-74, 78-79); Briggs-Cloud Dep. Ex. 3 (Chris C. Jenkins, Son, Daughter Celebrated in Memorial Tourneys, Seminole Tribune (Fla.), Apr. 30, 2010, at 1C) (TTABVue 121, p. 24).

[235] As noted above, this evidence was introduced into the record by petitioners because they believed it was relevant.

[236] Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 37 (TTABVue 143, pp. 15-16).

[237] Respondent's Notice of Reliance, Ex. 38 (TTABVue 143, pp. 17-18).

[238] Pat Doyle, 'Chop' is Spreading, but Indians Disagree on What is Offensive Most Decry 'Redskins' Nickname, Star Tribune (Minn.), Nov. 1, 1991, at 2B, Petitioners' Notice of Reliance, Ex. 20 (TTABVue 71, pp. 21, 33-35).

[239] The Omaha are a Native American tribe and the Omaha Nation public schools are located in Macy, Nebraska. Briggs-Cloud Dep. 174:6-18 (TTABVue 120, p. 180); Gover Dep. Ex. 18 (Welcome to the Home of the Chiefs & Lady Chiefs, Omaha Nation Public Sch. website) (printed June 10, 2011) (TTABVue 118, pp. 49-51).

[240] Gover Dep. Ex. 19 (Chief Times, vol. 1, issue 17, Omaha Nation Public Sch. website) (printed June 10, 2011) (TTABVue 118, pp. 52-55). Petitioner Phillip Gover testified that he was not aware of the school or the school's team name. Gover Dep. 173:4-173:17 (TTABVue 120, pp. 178-79).

[241] Blackhorse Dep. Ex. 2 (Haskell Logos, Haskell Indian Nations Univ. website) (printed June 19, 2011) (TTABVue 123, p. 29); Blackhorse Dep. 39:22-40:8, June 22, 2011 (TTABVue 122, pp. 47-48). Haskell Indian Nations University is located in Lawrence, Kansas. Blackhorse Dep. 26:12-13 (TTABVue 122, p. 34).

[242] Pappan Dep. 16:8-16, 36:13-14, 73:19-76:6, Aug. 11, 2011 (TTABVue 112, pp. 20, 40, 77-80), Pappan Dep. Exhibits 4-6 (TTABVue 113, pp. 27-29). A Bureau of Indian Affairs school "means 100 percent Native Americans attend this school." Pappan Dep. 46:15-18.

[243] Pappan Dep. 60:20-25 (TTABVue 112, p. 64); Pappan Dep. Exhibits 4-6 (TTABVue 113, pp. 27-29).

[244] Pappan Dep. 76:15-21 (TTABVue 112, p. 80).

[245] Pappan Dep. 37:2-10, 46:13-18 (TTABVue 112, pp. 41, 50).

[246] Pappan Dep. Ex. 2 (TTABVue 113, p. 25).

[247] Pappan Dep. 43:24-44:13, 54:24-57:24 (TTABVue 112, pp. 47-48, 58-61).

[248] Pappan Dep. Ex. 1: Resp. to Respondent's First Set of Interrogs., No. 3, at 6 (TTABVue 113, p. 9).

[249] Pappan Dep. 59:24-60:4, 60:11-15 (TTABVue 112, pp. 63-64).

[250] Barnhart Expert Report (June 8, 1996), Barnhart Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 26-27). Mr. Barnhart was an associate editor of the Thorndike-Barnhart school dictionaries (1966-1980) and the general editor of The Barnhart Dictionary of New English Since 1963 (1973), The Second Barnhart Dictionary of New English (1980), and The Third Barnhart Dictionary of New English (1990). Id. (TTABVue 162, p. 14). He is the son of Clarence Barnhart, a noted American lexicographer. Barnhart Dep. 23:14-16 (TTABVue 159, p. 26).

[251] Id.

[252] The majority's finding of fact No. 15 regarding dictionary usage labels is not relevant to 0836122 because that registration issued before the usage labels came into use.

[253] Barnhart Expert Report pp. 3, 18 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 20, 35).

[254] Barnhart Dep. 64:13 (TTABVue 159, p. 67); Barnhart Expert Report pp. 3, 12 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 162, pp. 20, 29).

[255] Barnhart Expert Report p. 12 (unnumbered), Barnhart Dep. Ex. 3 (TTABVue 161, p. 29); see Barnhart Dep. 69:5-8 (TTABVue 159, p. 72).

[256] Barnhart Dep. 67:15-70:6 (TTABVue 159, pp. 70-73).

[257] Barnhart Expert Report (TTABVue 162, p. 31).

[258] NCAI Resolution (TTABVue 63, p. 71).

[259] Chase Dep. 51:21-52:11, 53:7-17, 54:3-4 (TTABVue 98, pp. 57-60).

[260] Id. 83:20-22, 84:1-85:1 (TTABVue 98, pp. 89-91).

[261] Id. 54:3-8 (TTABVue 98, p. 60).

[262] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 18 (TTABVue 48, p. 33).

[263] Petitioners' Notice of Reliance Ex. 18 (TTABVue 48, pp. 85-86) (emphasis added).

[264] Gross Dep., p. 37 (TTABVue 79, p. 199).

[265] John Kent Cooke Dep., Ex. 6 (TTABVue 149, pp. 43-68; TTABVue 156, pp. 11-38).

[266] Chase Dep. pp. 104-105 (TTABVue 98, pp. 110-111), Respondent's Notice of Reliance Ex. 29.1 (TTABVue 142, p. 43) (shown as the Deloria Exhibit 35 also presented as exhibit 41 in the Chase deposition).