Source: Government of Iceland
The General Court of the European Union has confirmed the decision of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to invalidate Iceland Foods Ltd. exclusive right to the word mark and figurative mark ICELAND. The General Court dismissed claims of annulment brought by the supermarket chain and agreed that the term “Iceland” is descriptive of the geographical origin of goods and services and cannot function as an exclusive trademark.
The ruling confirms that Iceland Foods Ltd. can no longer prevent Icelandic companies from identifying themselves by their country of origin when marketing their goods and services within the European Union. The case is therefore of fundamental importance to Icelandic companies engaged in international trade.
„We welcome this clear outcome in our favor in a case that is of fundamental importance to Iceland,“ says Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir. „For our companies it is of considerable value to be able to clearly refer to their Icelandic origin, with all the underlying thoughts of clean air and pristine nature that it carries internationally when you identify yourself as Icelandic. It carries great value for all of us, and we tend to say it with pride. We therefore put much effort into protecting our interests in this respect.“
Iceland Foods Ltd. may still appeal the ruling on points of law within two months.