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Washington Redskins Hopeful in Name Battle

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As the NFL playoffs kick off this weekend, it looks like one of the teams may be a step closer to winning a big battle off the field.

The Washington Redskins have been appealing a court order canceling the team's trademark of their nickname.

In July, a judge ruled the name was disparaging to Native Americans.

More recently, a federal appeals court ruled in a different case the government cannot refuse to register trademarks that may be considered offensive.

The Washington team sees that as possible precedent which could allow them to continue their trademark.

But others are pushing the team to change the name, citing the historical meaning of the word "Redskin."

"It's actually used as a way to count bounties, and a way to pay people for each of these skins that they received, they would get a bounty for them. And that's where it comes from," Laura Harris from Americans for Indian Opportunity explained. "It comes from the genocide of Native Americans here in the United States."

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