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Motorbike fans in the US have won a court case over the right to use and trademark their signature name - "Dykes on Bikes".

The group of lesbian motorcycle riders took their case to court in a bid to establish their ownership of the phrase and to ensure that they could use the phrase without qualification.

The enthusiasts held the landmark case in San Francisco and say they have made an important reclamation of what was once seen as a derogatory term.

The US Patent and Trademark Office had refused the application by the San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent (WMC), but after a hearing the group won the right to use the term as they see fit.

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Instead of the term being seen as disparaging the WMC says it is a term that they have reclaimed.

Speaking on behalf of the group, lawyer Shannon Minter, who work on behalf of the National Centre for Lesbian Rights, said that they were delighted.

"Within the lesbian community that term has been reclaimed as a very positive term that denotes strength and pride and empowerment," she explained to Reuters.

Both the Brooke Oliver Law Group and the National Centre for Lesbian Rights say the term is not considered offensive in the modern day.

The case was originally brought after a Wisconsin woman not affiliated with the group began using the term as part of a product launch for a new clothing line.