Man says he had no designs on ‘Last Best Place’
HELENA – A Las Vegas businessman told Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Tuesday he does not want to trademark the phrase “Last Best Place” for the exclusive use of his commercial operations.
David Lipson, who owns a resort ranch in the Blackfoot Valley, said he “never even thought about” trying to obtain the sole right to the phrase as a way of promoting his enterprises.
He said news reports to the contrary during the past week were “100 percent incorrect.”
His meeting with Schweitzer, which came a few days after the governor vowed to fight Lipson’s alleged efforts to claim the popular reference to Montana for his own, started early and by the time reporters arrived Lipson already had explained his position to Schweitzer.
Afterward, Lipson repeatedly refused to comment when asked to explain his applications to trademark the phrase.
Schweitzer said later he was still unsure whether the initial reports of Lipson’s intentions missed the mark or whether Lipson changed his mind after all the public attention turned his way.
“It belongs to all of Montana and to its people,” Schweitzer said of the term that originated with Missoula author William Kittredge as the title of a 1988 collection of works by Montana writers. It has since become a common means of referring to the state and is used by government to promote Montana and by many businesses in advertising products and services.
At one point during the Capitol meeting, Schweitzer characterized Lipson’s position by asking, “You have no intention of trademarking Last Best Place for your sole use?”
Lipson said that was correct.
His Resort at Paws Up, about 28 miles east of Missoula, has been using the “Last Best Place” phrase. News reports last week said records from the trademark office showed he had applied to use the phrase exclusively to promote his guest ranch and a number of retail items, including cookware, furniture, clothing and lingerie.
Schweitzer had said the state would formally oppose Lipson’s applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Cal Christianson, a lawyer for Lipson, said people can obtain about 150 different types of trademarks, but he would not elaborate on the variations or what kind Lipson was seeking.