Bob Franken

I usually hate gloating, but this time I’m doing it. And loving it. That’s because the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office panel has decided that the Washington NFL team no longer has federal trademark protection for its R-word team name. If this stands the test of lawyers, it will mean that the pro football franchise will no longer absolutely control the use of the name or the brand, because it’s “disparaging to Native Americans.”

So ruleth two of three members of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, which is the regulatory, uh, referee in such matters. But the call can be challenged in court a...