A federal appeals court has postponed arguments in the Washington Redskins trademark dispute.
Both the team and the federal government agreed the case should be put on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court decides another trademark case that raises the same basic issues, according to NBC News’ Pete Williams.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, had set Dec. 9 for argument in the Redskins case. The team is challenging a decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to take away a trademark for the name "Redskins" on the grounds that it is offensive.
While that case was pending, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a dispute involving Asian American musicians from Portland, who wanted a trademark for their band's name, The Slants.
The federal government said no, citing the federal law that bars granting trademarks for names considered offensive, which is the same law at issue in the Redskins case. A lower court found that provision to be unconstitutional.
No date has been set for oral argument in the band’s case. A decision would be expected by late June.
