Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Trademark topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mason County fiscal court backs Old Pogue in ‘birthplace of bourbon’ trademark dispute
Summary
Mason County Fiscal Court adopted a resolution opposing a Woodford County trademark for the phrase “birthplace of bourbon” and signaled willingness to join legal petitions to cancel or oppose the registration.
Mason County Fiscal Court voted on March 11 to support Old Pogue Distillery and other local stakeholders opposing a Woodford County trademark for the phrase “birthplace of bourbon.”
Caitlin Bailey, Mason County tourism staff, told the court the tourism office and local distillers have tracked Woodford County’s trademark filing and that Old Pogue and other stakeholders have moved to file a petition to cancel the registration. Bailey said state trademark counsel recommended a coordinated petition and that Mason County, distilleries and other tourism commissions could join that petition or file separately.
Judge Oliver McNeil read a resolution drafted to recognize Old Pogue’s historic role in the county and to “call upon the citizens of Woodford County and her leadership to rescind and cancel their erroneous trademark petition.” The resolution also expressed support for a statewide approach so no single county controls use of the phrase.
The court moved and approved the resolution by roll call. Caitlin Bailey said she would meet with tourism commissioners and the trademark attorney to decide whether Mason County would join Old Pogue’s petition or file a separate petition alongside other counties and businesses.
Why it matters: Several Kentucky counties and distillers dispute exclusive claims about bourbon’s origins. County leaders argued a sole trademark could limit other counties’ ability to market local history and distillers said a statewide or cooperative solution is preferable.
What happens next: Bailey scheduled follow-up calls with the trademark attorney and with local tourism partners and said she would report back to the court on recommended next steps and any legal coordination with Old Pogue and other parties.
