It will likely take the European Union years to resolve the trademark dispute between Iceland, the sovereign nation, and Iceland, the UK supermarket of the same name. The Icelandic Foreign Ministry has challenged the Supermarket's European wide registration of the trademark Iceland. The supermarket has used this registration to harass Icelandic companies and even the Icelandic tourism board.
Read more: Iceland Foods insists they should retain a Europe-wide trademark for Iceland
Last fall the Icelandic foreign ministry launched legal action to challenge the trademark, arguing the registration is excessively broad, and that the UK supermarket chain has abused its trademark rights to harass and challenge Icelandic companies which have used the term Iceland in their marketing.
The Icelandic government has requested that the European Union Intellectual Property Office restrict the trademark rights of the supermarket chain. The Icelandic Foreign Ministry told RÚV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, that the process has started, but that resolving the dispute will likely take several years.
Should Icelandic companies be allowed to use the word Iceland?
Icelandic authorities are not demanding that the UK supermarket abandon its name or logo, only that Icelandic companies be allowed to use Iceland in their marketing or advertising campaigns without challenges from the supermarket. The Foreign Ministry is especially concerned about Icelandic companies, including food exporters, being allowed to associate their products with their country of origin.
The supermarket has engaged in what the Foreign Ministry describes as abusive behavior, for example by blocking the registration of an advertising campaign by the Icelandic Tourist Board, Inspired by Iceland. The supermarket maintains it has full right to the trademark and claims it wants to reach an agreement with Iceland on its use.
1131 year difference
Iceland Foods was founded in 1970, but only acquired the Europe wide trademark registration of Iceland in 2005. According to the Sagas Iceland, the nation, was established in 874. It is an insult to common sense to maintain that the supermarket chain has a stronger claim to the trademark than the country.
It will likely take the European Union years to resolve the trademark dispute between Iceland, the sovereign nation, and Iceland, the UK supermarket of the same name. The Icelandic Foreign Ministry has challenged the Supermarket's European wide registration of the trademark Iceland. The supermarket has used this registration to harass Icelandic companies and even the Icelandic tourism board.
Read more: Iceland Foods insists they should retain a Europe-wide trademark for Iceland
Last fall the Icelandic foreign ministry launched legal action to challenge the trademark, arguing the registration is excessively broad, and that the UK supermarket chain has abused its trademark rights to harass and challenge Icelandic companies which have used the term Iceland in their marketing.
The Icelandic government has requested that the European Union Intellectual Property Office restrict the trademark rights of the supermarket chain. The Icelandic Foreign Ministry told RÚV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, that the process has started, but that resolving the dispute will likely take several years.
Should Icelandic companies be allowed to use the word Iceland?
Icelandic authorities are not demanding that the UK supermarket abandon its name or logo, only that Icelandic companies be allowed to use Iceland in their marketing or advertising campaigns without challenges from the supermarket. The Foreign Ministry is especially concerned about Icelandic companies, including food exporters, being allowed to associate their products with their country of origin.
The supermarket has engaged in what the Foreign Ministry describes as abusive behavior, for example by blocking the registration of an advertising campaign by the Icelandic Tourist Board, Inspired by Iceland. The supermarket maintains it has full right to the trademark and claims it wants to reach an agreement with Iceland on its use.
1131 year difference
Iceland Foods was founded in 1970, but only acquired the Europe wide trademark registration of Iceland in 2005. According to the Sagas Iceland, the nation, was established in 874. It is an insult to common sense to maintain that the supermarket chain has a stronger claim to the trademark than the country.
