The Last Best Place

Lipson Squeaks “Last Best Place” Trademark Past Burns’ Provision

By Courtney Lowery, 12-29-05

Robert Struckman reports today that two trademarks of "The Last Best Place" have been officially registered to Las Vegas businessman David E. Lipson. The trademarks apparently give Lipson the use of the the phrase for "travel information and hotel, lodging and restaurant services," but whether or not they'll stand up under a provision pushed by Sen. Conrad Burns and signed into law by President Bush remains to be seen.

Burns hit a homerun (which he was badly in need of) when he successfully championed a clause in an appropriations bill that would make it illegal for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from spending any money on any trademark of "The Last Best Place." At the time, Burns' staff said the issue was at least temporarily settled.

Struckman points out, however, that Lipson's two trademarks went through the very same day the president signed the bill.

Burns' spokesman, James Pendleton says the bill still makes the trademarks "moot" but trademark attorney Shane Vanatta tells Struckman they are in "strange limbo."

It's clear no one is quite clear on what all of it exactly means.

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