WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said the word "redskin" is a derogatory and offensive term.
The agency made the announcement after rejecting an application to trademark the name "Redskins Hog Rind," CNN reported Wednesday.
The office cited definitions for the word in five dictionaries labeling the word as offensive, along with news articles about opposition to the word.
Federal law prohibits trademarking any name or word that is considered immoral, scandalous or disparaging to another person. When considering applications, the Patent and Trademark Office looks at the term's likely meaning in the product's context, so "redskin" has previously been deemed appropriate for use in describing potatoes or the football team.
