Lee Discusses Implications of Washington Redskins Name Change
July 16, 2020
Corporate Counsel
Of Counsel Andrew Lee was quoted in the Corporate Counsel article, “With Name Change, Redskins’ In-House Counsel Must Consider Trademark Uses, Sponsorship Agreements,” about the far-reaching impact of the Washington Redskins changing its name.
The team announced this week that it would retire its name and rebrand amid growing external pressures.
The rebranding process will be much like any other corporate name change, Lee said. “In the sports world, particularly in the NFL, there is value and activation around a team’s name and logo.”
Legally, there is a good reason for not having retired the Redskins name and logo. The name and logo have been a trusted source to the consuming public. “But there’s a historical meaning that predates that use and offends a growing segment of that consuming public, so the entity is also perceived as being a source or origin of that offense—a good reason to make a change regardless of whether the courts say you can keep the name as a registered trademark,” Lee said.
Related News
June 25, 2025
In the News
Jocelyn Lavallo Explores Nuclear's Emerging Role in Project Finance
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Jocelyn Lavallo examined the increasing relevance of advanced nuclear technologies in the evolving clean energy landscape in her Environment+Energy Leader article, "Nuclear’s Emerging Role in Project Finance: A Cross-Technology Perspective."
June 25, 2025
In the News
Kyle Faget Comments on AI, User Fees Ahead of MDUFA Negotiations
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Kyle Faget weighed in on the role of user fees and artificial intelligence as stakeholders prepare for the next Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA) reauthorization in the Medtech Insight article, "Will Kennedy And Makary Come To Terms On User Fees During Next Round Of MDUFA Negotiations?"
June 25, 2025
In the News
Foley Chairman Daljit Doogal Talks Strategic Growth, Expansion into Three New Markets on Podcast
Foley & Lardner LLP Chairman and CEO Daljit Doogal joined an episode of the On the Merits podcast with Bloomberg Law to tell the story of Foley’s successful strategic expansion into three emerging legal markets within the last four years.