Media advisory: KU trademark and Indian law experts available to discuss Redskins ruling


LAWRENCE — University of Kansas School of Law experts in Indian law and trademark law are available to discuss today’s U.S. Patent & Trademark Office ruling that cancels the Washington Redskins trademark registration, calling the football team’s name “disparaging to Native Americans.” Elizabeth Kronk Warner, associate professor of law and director of KU’s Tribal Law & Government Center, can discuss the ruling itself and related efforts to eradicate the name and mascot. Andrew Torrance, professor of law, can discuss all aspects of the ruling.

To schedule an interview, contact Mindie Paget at mpaget@ku.edu or (785) 864-9205.

BIOGRAPHIES: Elizabeth Kronk Warner is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and serves as an appellate judge for the tribe’s appeals court in Michigan. In 2012, she joined the faculty at KU Law, where she teaches courses in federal Indian law, Native American natural resources and property. Before entering academia, Warner practiced environmental, Indian and energy law in Washington, D.C. She previously served as chair of the Federal Bar Association Indian Law Section and was elected to the Association’s national board of directors in 2011. She received her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and her bachelor’s from Cornell University.

Andrew Torrance speaks frequently with the media on topics and cases in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrecy and Internet law. A visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a fellow of the Gruter Institute, Torrance has delivered more than 100 scholarly presentations at universities, research organizations, governments, and intergovernmental agencies in seven countries. Before joining the KU Law faculty in 2005, Torrance practiced biotechnology patent law at Fish & Richardson PC, the world’s largest intellectual property law firm, and served as in-house patent counsel at Inverness Medical Innovations and Stirling Medical Innovations. He received his doctorate from Harvard University, his law degree from Harvard Law School and his bachelor’s from Queen’s University, Canada.

Thu, 06/19/2014

author

Mike Krings

Media Contacts

Mindie Paget

Office of Research

785-864-0013