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Senator Baucus Permanently Protects ‘The Last Best Place’ From Trademark

Montana Senator Max Baucus has delivered the final knockout blow in the fight to safeguard the phrase "Last Best Place." The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced today they will honor Baucus’ provision to permanently deny any trademark application for the slogan "Last Best Place."

"To try to auction off one of our most beloved sayings is just plain wrong. ‘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," said Baucus.

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 "Last Best Place" phrase.

However, the provision Baucus successfully included in the 2009 Omnibus appropriation bill was designed to permanently prevent the trademarking of the phrase. Today’s ruling from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office seals the deal to effectively kill any chance of the slogan being subject to trademark.

Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Kathy Weber 406-329-7980/Jennifer Donohue 202-224-2651

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