The NFL franchise located in Washington, D.C., has appealed the cancellation of six trademark registrations for the Washington Redskins, “one of the most storied franchises in sports, on the ground that the Team’s name supposedly ‘disparaged’ Native Americans under § 2(a) of the Lanham Act.”
That’s how the appeal starts out.
Go deep in its brief filed Friday in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and you’ll find the team’s lawyer began questioning whether the U.S. government sanctioned other offensive things and groups by granting approval to their trademark registrations. This footnote on page 24 of the brief mentions Reformed Whores, the musical comedy duo:
Other startling examples that would reflect government endorsement under the decision below include: SHANK THE B!T@H board game; CRACKA AZZ SKATEBOARDS; ANAL FANTASY COLLECTION, KLITORIS, and OMAZING SEX TOYS sex toys; HOT OCTOPUSS anti-premature ejaculation creams; OL GEEZER wines; EDIBLE CROTCHLESS GUMMY PANTIES lingerie; WTF WORK? online forum; MILF WEED bags; GRINGO STYLE SALSA; MAKE YOUR OWN DILDO; GRINGO BBQ; CONTEMPORARY NEGRO, F’D UP, WHITE TRASH REBEL, I LOVE VAGINA, WHITE GIRL WITH A BOOTY, PARTY WITH SLUTS, CRIPPLED OLD BIKER BASTARDS, DICK BALLS, and REDNECK ARMY apparel; OH! MY NAPPY HAIR shampoos; REFORMED WHORES and WHORES FROM HELL musical bands; LAUGHING MY VAGINA OFF entertainment; NAPPY ROOTS records; BOOTY CALL sex aids; BOYS ARE STUPID, THROW ROCKS AT THEM wallets; and DUMB BLONDE hair products. Word limits prevent us from listing more.
The filing as reported first by The Washington Post, and then Deadspin, caught the attention of Katy Frame and Marie Cecile Anderson, who perform together as Reformed Whores.
Frame had this to say today on Facebook: “Welp, looks like my hometown team has turned against me… Washington Redskins cited Reformed Whores as one of the trademarks that is as vulgar and offensive as their racist name. Eh hem… I beg to differ…”
Maybe the team’s just mad that the ladies outfits make them appear to be more likely fans of the Cowboys?
UPDATED! (Nov. 4) Katy and Marie made a musical response today on Internet Action Force. Roll the clip!
You can hear tracks from the Reformed Whores’ 2012 debut album, “Ladies Don’t Spit,” here:
They also make daily videos for Internet Action Force now, so take a look and listen up!