U.S. Patent Office cancels trademark for Washington Redskins + MORE Jun 18th

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Patent Office ruled Wednesday that the Washington Redskins nickname is “disparaging of Native Americans” and that the team’s federal trademarks for the name must be cancelled.
The 2-1 ruling comes after a campaign to change the name gained momentum over the past year. The team doesn’t immediately lose trademark protection and is allowed to retain it during an appeal, which is likely.
Redskins owner Dan Snyder has refused to change the team’s name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups.
The decision means that the team can continue to use the Redskins name, but it would lose a significant portion of its ability to protect the financial interests connected to its use. If others printed the name on sweatshirts, apparel, or other team material, it becomes more difficult to go after groups who use it without permission…

(Photogaph by Jesse Milns)
The Problem
Sudbury, Ont., residents Kristy and Corey are a high-income couple in their early 30s. They’ve been self-directed investors until now, but the problem is their investments are heavily weighted towards Canadian equity mutual funds, with only 9% of their portfolio in global equities and 18% in fixed income. Their investments are spread across several financial institutions; they include a stab at index investing via a Tangerine balanced fund and stocks from Corey’s employer in a TFSA. They’re interested in opening an online brokerage account to consolidate their investments. We turned to two financial experts for help.

Nest Wealth founder Randy Cass says Kristy and Corey need to cut their fees and diversify their portfolio. Right now, the couple has almost 75% invested in Canadian equity and they are paying close to 2% a year in fees. Those high fees are already costing them over $4,000 a year. “That’s more than they pay for their cable bill, student loan payments and car fuel expenses every month in fees,” says Cass…

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Patent Office ruled Wednesday that the Washington Redskins nickname is “disparaging of Native Americans” and that the team’s federal trademarks for the name must be cancelled.
The 2-1 ruling comes after a campaign to change the name has gained momentum over the past year. The team doesn’t immediately lose trademark protection and is allowed to retain it during an appeal.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to change the team’s name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups.
The decision means that the team can continue to use the Redskins name, but it would lose a significant portion of its ability to protect the financial interests connected to its use. If others printed the name on sweatshirts, apparel, or other team material, it becomes more difficult to go after groups who use it without permission…