Montana can officially keep its title as the “Last Best Place.”
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced Friday they will honor Sen. Max Baucus’ provision to permanently deny any trademark application for the slogan “Last Best Place.”
The battle over the trademark has been ongoing since 2002 when Nevada businessman David Lipson tried to gain exclusive rights to the term for his Paws Up Lodge in the Blackfoot Valley.
For years, Baucus included provisions in annual omnibus appropriation bills to prohibit the use of federal funds for trademarking the phrase. Baucus included a provision in the 2009 Omnibus appropriation bill designed to permanently prevent the trademarking, which the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is now officially confirming.
“To try to auction off one of our most beloved sayings is just plain wrong,” Baucus said in a statement from Lakeside. “‘The Last Best Place’ belongs to all Montanans and is not for sale. I’m pleased we’ve won this battle and can put the issue to rest once and for all.”