The Slants- Performance and Book Talk

Simon Tam of the band The Slants will present an innovative program about his fight to register his band’s name with the Patent and Trademark Office. Tam and his all-Asian band from Oregon sought to register “The Slants” to culturally reappropriate a term that had long been deemed derogatory to Asians. The PTO denied the application, but Mr. Tam fought back and won his case in an 8-0 ruling. (See, Matal v. Tam, 137 S.Ct. 1744). Here is a link to an article about Mr. Tam and the case. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/inside-asian-american-group-the-slants-supreme-court-free-speech-win-194267/

Starting at 5:00pm on October 2, Mr. Tam will perform songs, discuss the case, and talk about his new book, Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court. He’ll then answer questions and will sign books. We will have a small reception afterwards. (We’ll have a link available for people to pre-purchase his book soon, or they will be able to purchase it through the UF Bookstore at the event.) The College of Journalism, the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Foundation, the UF Levin College of Law, and various UF Law student groups will work together to make sure Mr. Tam is enthusiastically welcomed to Gainesville.