WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced that language he secured during the Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations process to protect the unofficial Montana slogan, “Last Best Place” will be permanently protected.

“For years, I’ve fought to ensure the exclusive rights to this uniquely Montana slogan wouldn’t be given to just one person,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee that wrote the bill.  “While I was willing to keep slugging it out as long as it took, I’m very pleased to report that this battle is won, once and for all.”

In 2002, a Las Vegas businessman attempted to trademark ‘The Last Best Place’ for use at his Resort at Paws Up located in the Blackfoot Valley.  In response, Rehberg and Senator Baucus have annually inserted language in Congressional funding measures to “prohibit funds from being used to register, issue, transfer, or enforce any trademark” of the phrase.

Lynne Beresford, the Commissioner for Trademarks has indicated that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s interpretation of Rehberg’s 2009 language was that the prohibition is permanent, and would result in refusals in all current and future Last Best Place applications.

“This is another example of how my seat on the Appropriations Committee helps Montana,” said Rehberg.