RWF wrote to the Maryland Department of Transportation (DOT) asking it to ban the R-skins name and logo on license plates. The DOT would have been on solid ground. Federal authorities have declared that the name is offensive. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has ruled that the name is not subject to trademark protection "based on the evidence property before us...these (trademark) registrations must be canceled because they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered."
The recent Supreme Court decision would appear to provide additional support to banning the use of R-skins name and logo on state license plates. In Walker v. Texas Div. Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., the Court ruled that messages on license plates are "official" messages of the states, and as such, the states are not required to issue plates that are offensive.
Despite the legal support for banning the name and logo, the MD DOT blandly says that the R-skins charitable foundation is a nonprofit eligible for special registration plates. RWF is dissapointed that the MD DOT passed up an opportunity to exhibit some leadership. The letter from the DOT says that Ms. Christine Nizer, MVA Administrator, can answer further questions. She is at 410-768-7274 or on cnizer@mva.maryland.gov. We encourage you to ask further questions!
The recent Supreme Court decision would appear to provide additional support to banning the use of R-skins name and logo on state license plates. In Walker v. Texas Div. Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., the Court ruled that messages on license plates are "official" messages of the states, and as such, the states are not required to issue plates that are offensive.
Despite the legal support for banning the name and logo, the MD DOT blandly says that the R-skins charitable foundation is a nonprofit eligible for special registration plates. RWF is dissapointed that the MD DOT passed up an opportunity to exhibit some leadership. The letter from the DOT says that Ms. Christine Nizer, MVA Administrator, can answer further questions. She is at 410-768-7274 or on cnizer@mva.maryland.gov. We encourage you to ask further questions!
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