Contents
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber)16 July 2025note(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark ICELAND — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))In Case T‑105/23,Iceland Foods Ltd, established in Deeside (United Kingdom), represented by G. Vos, lawyer,supported byInternational Trademark Association (INTA), established in New York (United States), represented by N. Parrotta, M. Perraki and A. Lubberger, lawyers,vEuropean Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), represented by V. Ruzek, acting as Agent,the other parties to the proceedings before the Board of Appeal of EUIPO, interveners before the General Court, beingÍslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), established in Reykjavik (Iceland),Iceland,SA – Business Iceland, established in Reykjavik,represented by A. von Mühlendahl and H. Hartwig, lawyers,THE GENERAL COURT (Seventh Chamber),composed of K. Kowalik-Bańczyk, President, E. Buttigieg and I. Dimitrakopoulos (Rapporteur), Judges,Registrar: G. Mitrev, Administrator,having regard to the written part of the procedure,further to the hearing on 16 October 2024,gives the following
Judgment
1By its action under Article 263 TFEU, the applicant, Iceland Foods Ltd, seeks the annulment of the decision of the Grand Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 15 December 2022 (Case R 1238/2019-G) (‘the contested decision’).
Background to the dispute
2On 14 November 2016, Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland filed with EUIPO an application for a declaration of invalidity of the EU trade mark which had been registered following an application filed by the applicant, on 19 April 2002, for the word sign ICELAND.
3The goods and services covered by the mark at issue in respect of which a declaration of invalidity was sought were in Classes 7, 11, 16, 29 to 32 and 35 of the Nice Agreement concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks of 15 June 1957, as revised and amended, and corresponded, for each of those classes, to the following description:– Class 7: ‘Dishwashers; washing machines; domestic machines; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods; all included in class 7’;– Class 11: ‘Apparatus for heating, cooking, refrigerating, drying or ventilating; freezers, refrigerators, combined freezers and refrigerators, microwave ovens; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods; all included in class 11’;– Class 16: ‘Paper, cardboard, paper articles, cardboard articles, wrapping and packaging materials; bags of paper or plastics, all for packaging; toilet paper, paper tissues, carrier bags, plastic bags, paper and plastic sacks; closures for bags; labels; pens and pencils; transfers; price tags and tickets and holders in the nature of envelopes; printed matter, periodical publications and stationery; all included in class 16’;– Class 29: ‘Meat, poultry and game, meat extracts; preserved, dried and boiled fruit and vegetables; jellies, jams; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats; meat and vegetable preserves; all included in class 29’;– Class 30: ‘Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, coffee substitutes; flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry goods, and confectionery, edible ices; honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt, mustard; vinegar, sauces, salad sauces; spices; refreshing ice; all included in class 30’;– Class 31: ‘Agricultural, horticultural and forestry and grain products, not included in other classes; fresh fruits and vegetables; seeds; natural plants and flowers; animal feeds, malt; all included in class 31’;– Class 32: ‘Beers, mineral and carbonated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages; fruit drinks and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for making beverages; all included in class 32’;– Class 35: ‘The bringing together for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods in a supermarket; the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods in a convenience store; the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods in a food, drink and household supplies retail stores; the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods in a food, drink, household supplies and household electrical appliance retail stores; the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods in a food, drink, and household supplies retail stores; the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods in a food, drink, household supplies and household electrical appliance retail stores, the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods from an Internet web site specialising in the marketing of food products, drink products, household supplies and household electrical appliances; the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods from an Internet web site (including an Internet web site being accessible via a computer, computer networks, Internet enabled mobile phones, televisions, pagers, and electronic organisers) specialising in the marketing of food products, drink products, household supplies and household electrical appliances; the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods from food products, drink products, household supplies and household electrical appliances catalogue by mail order or by means of telecommunications’.
4The grounds for invalidity relied on in support of the application for a declaration of invalidity were, in essence, those set out in Article 51(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 40/94 of 20 December 1993 on the Community trade mark (OJ 1994 L 11, p. 1), as amended, read in conjunction with Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) of that regulation (subsequently, respectively, Article 52(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) of Council Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 of 26 February 2009 on the Community trade mark (OJ 2009 L 78, p. 1), as amended, now Article 59(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the European Union trade mark (OJ 2017 L 154, p. 1)).
5On 5 April 2019 the Cancellation Division upheld the application for a declaration of invalidity in respect of all the goods and services referred to in paragraph 3 above.
6On 5 June 2019, the applicant filed a notice of appeal with EUIPO against the Cancellation Division’s decision.
7In the proceedings before the Grand Board of Appeal, Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland raised an additional ground for invalidity to those submitted before the Cancellation Division, based, in essence, on the application of Article 51(1)(a) in conjunction with Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation No 40/94 (subsequently, Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation No 207/2009, now Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation 2017/1001).
8By the contested decision, the Grand Board of Appeal dismissed the appeal. In essence, in the first place, it found that the application for a declaration of invalidity of the mark at issue, based on Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation No 40/94, was inadmissible on account of its late submission at the appeal stage.
9In the second place, first, the Grand Board of Appeal found that the mark at issue was perceived by the relevant public, namely the English-speaking general public of the European Union, as an indication that the goods and services covered by it came from Iceland. Accordingly, it took the view that the mark at issue had been registered contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94.
10Secondly, the Grand Board of Appeal recalled, in essence, that it was sufficient that one of the absolute grounds for refusal applied in order for the sign at issue not to be registrable as an EU trade mark. In any event, if the mark at issue were to be examined in the light of Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94, it would have to be found to be devoid of distinctive character.
Forms of order sought
11The applicant claims that the Court should:– annul the contested decision;– remit the case to the Cancellation Division for further prosecution;– order EUIPO to pay the costs of the present action and order Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland to pay the costs of the proceedings before the Cancellation Division and the Grand Board of Appeal.
12EUIPO contends that the Court should:– dismiss the action;– order the applicant to pay the costs in the event that a hearing is convened.
13Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland contend that the Court should:– dismiss the action;– order the applicant to pay the costs.
14The International Trademark Association (INTA) claims that the Court should:– annul the contested decision;– order it to pay its own costs.
Law
15The applicant relies, in essence, on two pleas in law alleging, first, infringement of Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94 and, secondly, infringement of Article 7(1)(b) of that regulation.
The first plea in law, alleging infringement of Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94
16The Grand Board of Appeal found, in essence, that the mark at issue was, for the relevant public, descriptive of the geographical origin of the goods and services which it covered or their characteristics given, in particular, the high level of recognition of the geographical name ‘Iceland’ and of the characteristics of that country as regards nature, ecology, renewable energy, economic prosperity, skilled workforce and in connection with its actual industry and exports. In view of those factors, it could be concluded that, in respect of the relevant public, Iceland was a country capable of producing many different types of goods and providing a wide range of services. Therefore, according to the Grand Board of Appeal, the relevant public will establish a link between the goods and services in question and the mark at issue as indicating their geographical origin or certain characteristics of theirs specifically linked to that geographical origin.
17The applicant and INTA claim that the Grand Board of Appeal infringed Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94. They dispute the assessments of the Grand Board of Appeal and, consequently, the finding as to the descriptive character of the mark at issue in respect of all the goods and services in question.
18More specifically, according to the applicant, despite there being no EU legislation which prohibits the registration of names of countries as trade marks, the Grand Board of Appeal has, nevertheless, effectively imposed such a prohibition in the contested decision. In that regard, the applicant argues, the Grand Board of Appeal relied on non-decisive factors, such as the recognition of the geographical name ‘Iceland’ by the relevant public or on imprecise and unsubstantiated characteristics of that place which are, in any event, irrelevant. In addition, the Grand Board of Appeal did not take into account certain surveys submitted by the applicant.
19EUIPO, Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland dispute the arguments of the applicant and INTA.
20In that regard, it is apparent from the case-law that, under Article 51(1)(a) of Regulation No 40/94, an EU trade mark is to be declared invalid on application to EUIPO or on the basis of a counterclaim in infringement proceedings where that trade mark has been registered in breach of the provisions of Article 7 of that regulation.
21Under Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94, trade marks which consist exclusively of signs or indications which may serve, in trade, to designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin or the time of production of the goods or of rendering of the service, or other characteristics of the goods or service are not to be registered. Under Article 7(2) of that regulation (subsequently Article 7(2) of Regulation No 207/2009, now Article 7(2) of Regulation 2017/1001), Article 7(1) of Regulation No 40/94 is to apply notwithstanding that the grounds of non-registrability obtain in only part of the European Union.
22Those signs and indications are deemed incapable of performing the essential function of a trade mark, namely that of identifying the commercial nature of the goods or services (judgments of 23 October 2003, OHIM v Wrigley, C‑191/01 P, EU:C:2003:579, paragraph 30, and of 27 February 2002, Eurocool Logistik v OHIM (EUROCOOL), T‑34/00, EU:T:2002:41, paragraph 37).
23For a sign to be caught by the prohibition set out in Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94, there must be a relationship between the sign and the goods or services in question that is sufficiently direct and specific to enable the relevant public immediately to perceive, without further thought, a description of the goods and services in question or of one of their characteristics (see judgments of 12 January 2005, Deutsche Post EURO EXPRESS v OHIM (EUROPREMIUM), T‑334/03, EU:T:2005:4, paragraph 25 and the case-law cited, and of 22 June 2005, Metso Paper Automation v OHIM (PAPERLAB), T‑19/04, EU:T:2005:247, paragraph 25 and the case-law cited).
24Furthermore, although it is irrelevant whether such a characteristic is commercially essential or ancillary, a characteristic, within the meaning of Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94, must nevertheless be objective and inherent to the nature of that product or service and intrinsic and permanent with regard to that product or service (see judgment of 7 May 2019, Fissler v EUIPO (vita), T‑423/18, EU:T:2019:291, paragraph 44 and the case-law cited).
25As regards, more particularly, signs or indications which may serve to designate the geographical origin or intended purpose of categories of goods or the place of performance of the categories of services in respect of which an EU trade mark is applied for, especially geographical names, it is in the public interest that they remain available, not least because they may be an indication of the quality and other characteristics of the categories of goods concerned, and may also, in various ways, influence consumer tastes by, for instance, associating the goods with a place that may give rise to a favourable response (judgment of 6 September 2018, Bundesverband Souvenir – Geschenke – Ehrenpreise v EUIPO, C‑488/16 P, EU:C:2018:673, paragraph 37; see also, by analogy, judgment of 4 May 1999, Windsurfing Chiemsee, C‑108/97 and C‑109/97, EU:C:1999:230, paragraph 26).
26In that regard, it should be borne in mind that it is not permissible, first, to register geographical names as trade marks where they designate specific geographical locations which are already famous or known for the category of goods or services concerned and which are therefore associated with that category of goods or services by the relevant class of persons and, secondly, to register geographical names which are liable to be used by undertakings and must remain available to such undertakings as indications of geographical origin of the category of goods or services concerned (see, by analogy, judgment of 4 May 1999, Windsurfing Chiemsee, C‑108/97 and C‑109/97, EU:C:1999:230, paragraph 29, 30 and 37).
27Accordingly, a sign may not be refused registration on the basis of Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94 unless the geographical name in respect of which registration as a trade mark is sought designates a place which is associated in the mind of the relevant class of persons, at the time the application for registration is made, with the category of goods and services concerned, or it is reasonable to assume that such an association may be established in the future (judgment of 6 September 2018, Bundesverband Souvenir – Geschenke – Ehrenpreise v EUIPO, C‑488/16 P, EU:C:2018:673, paragraph 38; see also, by analogy, judgment of 4 May 1999, Windsurfing Chiemsee, C‑108/97 and C‑109/97, EU:C:1999:230, paragraph 31).
28Even if the relevant public does know of a geographical location, it does not automatically follow that the sign may serve, in trade, to designate geographical origin. In order to examine whether the conditions for application of the ground for refusal to register at issue have been satisfied, account must be taken of all the relevant circumstances, such as the nature of the goods or services designated, the greater or lesser reputation, especially within the economic sector involved, of the geographical location in question and the relevant public’s greater or lesser familiarity with it, the customs obtaining in the area of activity concerned and the question to what extent the geographical origin of the goods or services at issue may be relevant, in the view of the persons concerned, to the assessment of the quality or other characteristics of the goods or services concerned (see, to that effect, judgment of 25 October 2005, Peek & Cloppenburg v OHIM (Cloppenburg), T‑379/03, EU:T:2005:373, paragraph 49).
29Furthermore, in invalidity proceedings based on an absolute ground for refusal, as the registered EU trade mark is presumed to be valid, it is for the person who has filed the application for a declaration of invalidity to invoke before EUIPO the specific facts which call the validity of that trade mark into question (judgment of 13 September 2013, Fürstlich Castell'sches Domänenamt v OHIM – Castel Frères (CASTEL), T‑320/10, EU:T:2013:424, paragraph 28).
30In the present case, in the first place, it should be recalled that the applicant does not dispute the definition of the relevant public, adopted by the Grand Board of Appeal in paragraphs 89 to 93 of the contested decision, according to which that public was made up of the English-speaking general public of the European Union on the date of the application for registration of the mark at issue on 19 April 2002, located in the territories of Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, including Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
31In the second place, in the contested decision, the Grand Board of Appeal found, in essence, that the word ‘Iceland’ was recognised by a significant part of the relevant public as the name of a country which is a member, inter alia, of the European Economic Area (EEA).
32In that regard, first, it should be noted that the mark at issue refers to the name of a country which is, from a geographical perspective, located in Europe, is composed of a relatively sparsely populated territory and has a surface area larger than that of some Member States of the European Union and of the EEA.
33Secondly, it must be found that, contrary to what the applicant claims, the Grand Board of Appeal did not treat the recognition of Iceland as a decisive factor when assessing the descriptive character of the mark at issue. It clearly stated, in paragraph 121 of the contested decision, that the assessment of the descriptive character of that mark also required taking into account other relevant factors such as the knowledge of the characteristics of the location designated by that geographical name and the link between the categories of goods and services and the mark at issue.
34In the third place, in the contested decision, the Grand Board of Appeal noted various characteristics of Iceland on the basis of which it could be concluded, in its view, that Iceland was a country capable of producing many different types of goods and providing a wide range of services.
35In that regard, first, it should be recalled that the applicant disputes that it is a well-known fact that Iceland is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world, the Grand Board of Appeal’s assessment of the extensive trade relations between Iceland and the EU Member States and the description of Iceland’s tourism industry as ‘booming’. The Grand Board of Appeal, it argues, incorrectly found that the most common destination for goods exported from Iceland was Denmark and not the Netherlands and made an error of fact by finding that Iceland offered a reasonably wide range of goods and services.
36However, it is clear that the applicant does not put forward any specific argument or evidence to call into question the validity of the Grand Board of Appeal’s assessments. Accordingly, it must be held that the assessment of those characteristics relating to Iceland cannot be called into question by the applicant’s general and unsupported arguments. In addition, the analysis of the evidence on which the Grand Board of Appeal relied in the contested decision makes it possible to confirm that they establish to the requisite legal standard, first, that Iceland was an environmentally friendly country (see paragraphs 108, 109, 125, 126 and 146 of the contested decision, concerning in particular the multiple geothermal and hydroelectric power stations managed by the national operator in Iceland, the long-standing, eco-friendly nature of energy production in Iceland and the supporting information from the Collins Dictionary and the Encyclopedia Britannica), secondly, that Iceland was a popular tourist destination (see paragraphs 108 and 109 of the contested decision and paragraph 126 of that decision, referring in particular to the survey by Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland) conducted in 2015 in Denmark, France, Germany and the United Kingdom), thirdly, that Iceland offered a wide range of goods and services, while maintaining, in respect of those goods and services, significant commercial relationships with the EEA countries (see paragraphs 143 and 144 of the contested decision, referring to the Statistical Yearbook of Iceland of 2015 and to the statement from the president of the foreign trade division of Statistics Iceland, of 27 January 2016, on exports from Iceland to the European Union during the period from 1999 to 2014).
37Secondly, as regards the contentions of the applicant and INTA as to the relevance of the characteristics of Iceland which were taken into account in the contested decision in order to assess the link between that country and the goods and services covered by the mark at issue, it is apparent from the case-law referred to in paragraphs 26 and 27 above that trade marks have a descriptive character where they designate specific geographical locations which are already famous or known for the category of goods or services concerned, but also those geographical locations in respect of which it is reasonable to assume that, in the future, they will be used by undertakings as indications of geographical origin of the category of goods or services concerned.
38It follows from the foregoing that the applicant is incorrect to claim that it was necessary, in the present case, to assess the ‘reputation’ which Iceland enjoyed among the relevant public, or which it was liable to enjoy in the future, in relation to the goods and services covered by the mark at issue. As is apparent from the case-law referred to in paragraph 28 above, it is appropriate to take into account a set of circumstances, as they existed on 19 April 2002, and to do so with a prospective outlook; those circumstances are not limited to only the question of reputation. In addition, the various characteristics of Iceland, which were taken into consideration by the Grand Board of Appeal, are significant for the purpose of ascertaining the extent to which the geographical origin of the goods or services in question is likely to be relevant, in the mind of the relevant class of persons, for the assessment of the quality or other characteristics of the goods or services concerned.
39For those reasons, the applicant is not justified in criticising the Grand Board of Appeal for taking into account the economic prosperity, including the assessment of gross domestic product (GDP), skilled workforce or even the presence of various industries, since those factors could make it possible to ascertain whether Iceland was likely to become famous or known as a place of geographical origin in relation to the goods and services in question. It is apparent from an overall reading of the contested decision, in particular of paragraphs 146, 147, 164, 167 and the end of paragraph 185 thereof, that the Grand Board of Appeal acknowledged the relevance of the Icelandic economy (both in respect of quantitative aspects, like GDP, and qualitative aspects) in order to support its finding as to the capability of that country to produce and offer a wide range of goods and services and as to the descriptive character of the mark at issue in the relevant public’s perception. In that regard, it is also necessary to note that it is apparent from the case-law that GDP is relevant when ascertaining the characteristics of a geographical location referred to by the sign for which registration is sought and, consequently, when assessing the link that exists between the goods and services covered by that sign and the geographical name referred to (see, to that effect, judgment of 23 February 2022, Govern d'Andorra v EUIPO (Andorra), T‑806/19, not published, EU:T:2022:87, paragraph 65).
40In the light of the foregoing, it is necessary to examine specifically the question whether the mark at issue designated, in the mind of the relevant class of persons, a place which was associated, at the time the application for registration was made, with the categories of goods and services concerned, or whether it was reasonable to assume that such an association might be established in the future.
The goods in Classes 29 to 32 covered by the mark at issue
41First, the Grand Board of Appeal found that the indication of geographical origin of foodstuffs, beverages and agricultural products was not only current practice in trade, but also obligatory in respect of certain goods for the purpose of achieving a high level of health protection for consumers and guaranteeing their right to information. Accordingly, consumers seeing the name of a country on those products would be more likely to perceive it as a place of origin and in a descriptive sense, even if the country in question does not enjoy any particular reputation or is not known for a particular product.
42Secondly, the Grand Board of Appeal found that while Iceland may be mainly associated with fish, seafood, meat and dairy products, it produced other food products, such as fruits, vegetables and herbs. Furthermore, greenhouses, heated with geothermal energy might make it possible to expect, reasonably, a capacity for quite varied food production. Given that poultry is reared and eggs, cereals, beers, water, fruit juice and other non-alcoholic beverages are commonly produced, packaged and marketed in Europe, consumers might think that those products are capable of originating from Iceland. This may also be the case as regards edible fats and oils and, in particular, rapeseed oil which can be grown in colder climates.
43Thirdly, the Grand Board of Appeal decided that, even if, as a result of their very nature, certain goods in Class 30 were not grown in Iceland, such as cocoa, coffee, tea, rice, sago and tapioca, they could nevertheless be processed there and adapted to local tastes.
44The applicant claims, in essence, that the Grand Board of Appeal was incorrect to focus, when assessing the link between the goods in Classes 29 to 32 and the geographical name in question, on the fact that Iceland produced, to some extent, foodstuffs, even though those goods represented only a small proportion of the goods exported by that country. In addition, as regards certain ‘exotic’ goods, the assessments of the Grand Board of Appeal are purely theoretical. Moreover, the applicant submits that the legal obligation to indicate the country of origin on a product has no bearing on the use of the name of that country as a trade mark.
45In that regard, in the first place, it should be noted that the goods in Classes 29 to 32 include foodstuffs of plant and animal origin and liquids intended for human consumption, which all belong to the food sector.
46According to the case-law, it is consistent with the usual practice for agricultural products and foodstuffs that they be designated by a geographical term which indicates or is capable of indicating their geographical origin (see, to that effect, judgment of 15 October 2003, Nordmilch v OHIM (OLDENBURGER), T‑295/01, EU:T:2003:267, paragraphs 42 to 45). The geographical origin of such goods may be regarded as capable of being particularly relevant, in the view of the relevant public, in accordance with the case-law referred to in paragraph 28 above, to the assessment of their quality or other characteristics.
47To those considerations must be added those linked to the specific characteristics of the goods concerned originating from Iceland, in the light of the natural factors relating to that country and the method of production or processing of those goods. Those considerations are illustrated by evidence, submitted in the course of the administrative proceedings before EUIPO, in particular the brochure from the Icelandic Lamb Marketing Board on sheep farming in Iceland (paragraph 154 of the contested decision), entitled Buyers Guide – From nature to the table – Flavoured by the wild pastures of Iceland, which, though dating from 2010, is relevant in relation to the situation on the date of the application for registration of the mark at issue, in so far as it described a ‘traditional’ process of farming sheep and processing their meat. In particular, it is relevant from that document that, in order to attain a high quality of meat, lambs were reared in unspoilt nature in accordance with high quality standards. Reference is also made in that document to a cultural heritage in that area of production.
48In the second place, it should be observed that, as is apparent from the documents in the file submitted during the administrative proceedings before EUIPO by Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland, Iceland produces and exports various types of agricultural products and foodstuffs, in particular fish and fish-based products; beef, mutton and pork; dairy products; fruits and vegetables, such as various types of lettuce, cabbage, tomato, broccoli, carrot and pepper; various berries, seaweeds and herbs; confectioneries including chocolate and beverages such as beer and non-alcoholic beverages. In particular, it is apparent from those documents in that file that Iceland produced and exported those goods between 1999 and 2014, that is to say during a period both prior and subsequent to the date of the application for registration of the mark at issue (see paragraph 154 of the contested decision, in particular the statement from the president of the foreign trade division of Statistics Iceland, of 27 January 2016, concerning the period from 1999 to 2014, and the Statistical Yearbook of Iceland 2015 which contains specific data, broken down by area of production, as regards exports from Iceland to the European Union and the EEA.
49In addition, the Grand Board of Appeal was correct to state, in paragraph 155 of the contested decision (see paragraph 42 above), as regards certain other goods in question, such as poultry and eggs, that they could be reared and produced anywhere in Europe and were therefore also capable of originating from Iceland. Similarly, edible fats and oils, in particular rapeseed oil, could be produced or grown even in colder climates, like in Iceland. Accordingly, those goods in Classes 29 to 32 that are covered by the mark at issue may generally be produced, packaged and marketed in Iceland and exported to EEA countries. Those considerations apply, as the Grand Board of Appeal stated in paragraph 155 of the contested decision, to beer and non-alcoholic beverages.
50It follows that Iceland produced, on the date of the application for registration of the mark at issue, a wide range of goods in Classes 29 to 32 covered by the mark at issue, that it also exported those goods and that it was capable of producing others. In the light of Iceland’s present or prospective capacity to produce and export those goods, it is appropriate to find that where one of the products in Classes 29 to 32 is marketed under the mark at issue, it may be perceived as originating from that country. In that regard, contrary to what the applicant claims, the Grand Board of Appeal cannot be criticised for not taking into account the circumstance linked to an allegedly ‘small’ proportion of the foodstuffs exported by Iceland. Assuming that the present export of foodstuffs by Iceland is not a relatively significant part of its exports in general, such a claim does not make it possible to call into question the descriptive link between the mark and the goods in Classes 29 to 32 in so far as that claim does not take into account, from a prospective viewpoint, the link which may reasonably be established between the mark at issue and the goods concerned.
51In addition, in so far as the applicant puts forward arguments intended to dispute the existence of a link between the mark at issue and seal meat, it is clear that the applicant does not call into question the fact that other types of meat, such as beef, mutton and pork, are produced in Iceland and, according to the evidence submitted during the administrative proceedings, exported by Iceland. Accordingly, its arguments cannot call into question the descriptive character of the mark at issue as regards the broader category of ‘meat’ in Class 29.
52As regards cocoa, coffee and tea in Class 30, it is admittedly true, as the applicant claims, that those goods, as a result of their very nature, are not grown in Iceland and that it is unlikely that they will be in the future. However, the Grand Board of Appeal correctly stated that they could be processed there and adapted to the local taste, as was shown by the evidence of chocolate production, to which it made reference in paragraph 154 of the contested decision, and which concerned local confectionery undertakings. The examples of tea selections from Ireland, England or Scotland – where that good is not grown – offered for retail in the European Union, relied on by the Grand Board of Appeal, are also relevant illustrations of that point.
53If the applicant’s claims are to be understood as referring to the lack of evidence substantiating the existence, in Iceland, of a practice of processing or adapting to local preferences goods like cocoa, coffee or tea, it must nevertheless be found that the possibility would remain reasonable in the view of the relevant public. That type of goods may be marketed in a particular way, by emphasising a product which has a flavour profile adapted to the local taste or other specific qualities linked to their geographical origin.
54It must be noted that those goods, and certain other goods in Classes 29 to 32, such as spices, yeast or salt, may, as a result of adaptation, be imbued with characteristics specific to Iceland – having regard, for example, to processing methods which enable particular flavours to be emphasised – and be perceived as such by the relevant public.
55In the light of all of the foregoing, it must be found that the Grand Board of Appeal was correct to find that the mark at issue had a descriptive character in respect of the goods in Classes 29 to 32.
The goods in Classes 7 to 11 covered by the mark at issue
56In order to find that the mark at issue had a descriptive character in respect of the goods in Classes 7 and 11, at the outset, the Grand Board of Appeal took into account the factors linked to the existence, in Iceland, of a ‘strong … industry’ as regards fishing and food processing that uses freezers and other electrical apparatuses, the stability and health of the Icelandic economy and the association of that country with green energy and sustainability owing to its reputation in that area. Next, it analysed the purchasing habits of consumers in that sector. Lastly, the Grand Board of Appeal found, in essence, that the mark at issue was capable of describing the essential sustainable and eco-friendly characteristics of the goods in Classes 7 and 11 that are covered by the mark at issue.
57The applicant criticises the Grand Board of Appeal for taking the view that the goods covered by Classes 7 and 11 could be produced in Iceland, even though the economic and geographical characteristics of that country did not establish such a production capacity.
58As a preliminary point, it should be borne in mind that the goods in Classes 7 and 11 include, in particular, various household appliances and the parts and fittings thereof. The applicant does not dispute the Grand Board of Appeal’s statement that those goods may easily benefit from a sustainable image linked, in particular, to being manufactured in an environmentally friendly way and to their low energy consumption.
59Furthermore, first, it is appropriate to add that, as the Grand Board of Appeal noted in paragraph 164 of the contested decision, because of the existence of a ‘solid industrial base’, skilled workforce, healthy and stable economy and encouragement of innovation and creativity by the Icelandic government, Iceland was capable of being perceived by the relevant public, in 2002, as having the capacity to manufacture all of the goods in question, in those classes, or as being capable of doing so in the foreseeable future.
60Secondly, as is apparent from the documents in the file, submitted by Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland during the administrative proceedings (see Observations of 2 November 2017, Annex 3), certain undertakings, established in Iceland manufacture goods in Classes 7 and 11 that are covered by the mark at issue such as refrigerators and freezers. Although the evidence concerns the year 2017, it is illustrative, including as regards the date of the application for registration of the mark at issue, namely 19 April 2002, in particular since it illustrates the technical capacities of Icelandic undertakings in the relevant sector.
61In those circumstances, it may reasonably be found that the mark at issue was capable of being perceived by the relevant public as an indication that the goods in Classes 7 and 11 originated from Iceland and, in the light of that country’s image, as being environmentally friendly (see paragraph 36 above) and that they had characteristics linked to sustainability or eco-friendliness.
62That finding cannot be invalidated by the applicant’s criticisms relating to the alleged irrelevance, in the present case, of the references made by the Grand Board of Appeal to artificial limbs (prosthetics), in paragraphs 80, 147 and 163 of the contested decision, in so far as the mark at issue was not registered in respect of such goods. In that regard, it is sufficient to find that the Grand Board of Appeal referred to those goods only to illustrate, as Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland did, the capacity of Icelandic undertakings to manufacture sophisticated goods on the cutting edge of technological development. Such a factor is relevant for assessing the possibility of Iceland being perceived as a place of geographical origin of goods in Classes 7 and 11.
63It follows from the foregoing that the Grand Board of Appeal was correct to find that the mark at issue had a descriptive character in respect of the goods in Classes 7 and 11.
The goods in Class 16 covered by the mark at issue
64In the contested decision, the Grand Board of Appeal found, in essence, that the paper and cardboard goods and stationery in Class 16 were objects of everyday use and that the relevant public perceived the mark at issue as an indication that those goods originated from Iceland and were environmentally friendly. In addition, as regards the printed matter or periodical publications, the Grand Board of Appeal stated that the relevant public might assume that they concerned Iceland.
65The applicant criticises the Grand Board of Appeal, in essence, for relying on mere assumptions that Iceland might, in the future, produce goods in Class 16.
66In that regard, first, it should be found, as the Grand Board of Appeal did, in essence, that the ‘paper, cardboard, paper articles, cardboard articles, wrapping and packaging materials; bags of paper or plastics, all for packaging; toilet paper, paper tissues, carrier bags, plastic bags, paper and plastic sacks; closures for bags; labels; pens and pencils; transfers; price tags and tickets and holders in the nature of envelopes’ can be produced from biodegradable materials or in accordance with manufacturing processes capable of reducing their impact on the environment.
67The reduced impact of goods and their packaging on the environment may constitute a quality associated with those goods or packaging, even if only for a part of the public which deems the ecological dimension to be important, in particular conscientious consumers who are mindful of easy waste reclamation and recycling.
68Accordingly, the Grand Board of Appeal was correct to find that the relevant public would perceive the mark at issue, which refers to Iceland, a country known for being environmentally friendly (see paragraph 36 above), as an indication of the geographical origin of the goods in Class 16 or of their characteristic as regards the ecological dimension, linked to that geographical origin.
69Secondly, as regards the ‘printed matter, periodical publications and stationery’, the applicant does not dispute the fact that those goods could concern Iceland, irrespective of where they were produced. In those circumstances, it must be found that the mark at issue has a descriptive character in respect of the goods in Class 16.
The services in Class 35 covered by the mark at issue
70The services in Class 35 that are covered by the mark at issue refer, in essence, to retail services in stores and online.
71The Grand Board of Appeal took the view, in essence, that the mark at issue could be used as a reference to the place from which the retail services in Class 35 were generally provided. In addition, the relevant public might perceive that mark as a reference to a specific quality of the goods marketed in connection with those services.
72The applicant submits, in essence, that it is unlikely that the services in Class 35 originate from Iceland, given the low density of its population and the fact that its territory is in large part uninhabitable, which make it impossible to maintain a food retail chain. Furthermore, the applicant highlights the fact that Iceland does not ‘export’ any retail service.
73It is necessary to stress that the retail services, covered by the mark at issue, concern food products, beverages and household goods, all of which are produced in Iceland. Moreover, that may include goods, such as fish, seafood or other ocean products, in respect of which the applicant does not dispute that Iceland is known as the country of origin.
74As regards the applicant’s arguments concerning the lack of exports of the services covered by the mark at issue and Iceland not having a reputation in relation to those services and the arguments alleging that the size of the Icelandic population prevents that country from being able to maintain a food retail chain, they cannot succeed, for the same reasons as set out in paragraphs 37 and 38 above, without, moreover, any distinction according to the demographic significance of the geographical location in question being relevant. It is reasonable to take the view that, where the services in question bear the mark at issue, they will be perceived as being provided in stores located in that country.
75In the light of the foregoing, it must be found that the Grand Board of Appeal was correct to find that the mark at issue had a descriptive character in respect of the services in Class 35.
Certain transversal claims of the applicant and INTA
76None of the other arguments of the applicant or INTA is capable of invalidating the Grand Board of Appeal’s finding relating to the descriptive character of the mark at issue in respect of the goods and services it covers.
77In the first place, the applicant and INTA submit that the Grand Board of Appeal erred in law by finding, in essence, that registering the names of countries necessarily came within the scope of the absolute ground for refusal referred to in Article 7(1)(c) and (f) of Regulation No 40/94, irrespective of the goods or services concerned.
78However, it is clear that such a claim stems from an incorrect reading of the contested decision. As is evident from a comprehensive reading of that decision, in particular of paragraphs 94 to 209 thereof, the Grand Board of Appeal carried out a detailed analysis of the descriptive character of the mark at issue in respect of all of the goods and services in question.
79In the second place, as regards the applicant’s argument that Article 12(b) of Regulation No 40/94 (subsequently Article 12(b) of Regulation No 207/2009, now Article 14(b) of Regulation 2017/1001) guarantees that Icelandic entities may use the name ‘Iceland’, it should be noted that the wording of that provision, entitled ‘Limitation of the effects of [an EU] trade mark’, is as follows:‘[An EU] trade mark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from using in the course of trade:…(b) indications concerning the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, the time of production of the goods or of rendering of the service, or other characteristics of the goods or service;…provided he uses them in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters.’
80The provision referred to in paragraph 79 above is intended, inter alia, to resolve the problems posed by registration of a mark which consists wholly or partly of a geographical name and does not confer on third parties the right to use the name as a trade mark but merely guarantees their right to use it descriptively, that is to say, as an indication of geographical origin, provided that it is used in accordance with honest practices in industrial and commercial matters (see, by analogy, judgment of 4 May 1999, Windsurfing Chiemsee, C‑108/97 and C‑109/97, EU:C:1999:230, paragraphs 26 to 28).
81Contrary to what the applicant appears to be suggesting, the fact that Article 12(b) of Regulation No 40/94 ensures that every trader may freely use indications concerning the characteristics of goods and services does not guarantee the protection of the public interest underlying Article 7(1)(c) of that regulation. On the contrary, that fact clearly discloses the need for the ground of refusal set out in Article 51(1)(a), read in conjunction with Article 7(1)(c), of Regulation No 40/94 – which, moreover, is an absolute ground for refusal – to be actually applied to any sign which may designate a characteristic of the goods or the services in respect of which the mark is registered (see, to that effect, judgment of 10 March 2011, Agencja Wydawnicza Technopol v OHIM, C‑51/10 P, EU:C:2011:139, paragraph 61 and the case-law cited). Accordingly, the applicant’s argument must be rejected as unfounded.
82In the third place, the applicant appears to criticise the Grand Board of Appeal for dismissing, as inadmissible, the survey compiled on 2 August 2019, which took account of telephone interviews conducted in June 2019.
83However, from a combined reading of, inter alia, paragraphs 137, 138, 158 and 205 of the contested decision, it must be found that the Grand Board of Appeal did not assess whether the survey of 2 August 2019 was admissible, but rather whether it had evidential value.
84Furthermore, even assuming that the applicant intends to dispute the assessment of that survey’s evidential value, it is sufficient to note that it does not infer any specific effect which that survey might have had on the assessment of the descriptive character of the mark at issue. In any event, as the Grand Board of Appeal found, correctly, in paragraph 158 of the contested decision, the mere act of asking the persons surveyed which goods come to mind on seeing the mark at issue is not an infallible or appropriate test for assessing the latter’s descriptive character since that assessment must always be carried out in the light of the goods and services covered by that mark (see the case-law cited in paragraph 23 above).
85In the light of all of the foregoing, the first plea in law must be rejected.
The second plea in law, alleging infringement of Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94
86By the second plea in law, the applicant, supported by INTA, submits, in essence, that the Board of Appeal infringed Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94.
87EUIPO, Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland dispute the arguments of the applicant and INTA.
88Since it is apparent from Article 7(1) of Regulation No 40/94 that it is sufficient that one of the absolute grounds for refusal listed therein applies in order for the sign at issue not to be registrable as an EU trade mark, and in the light of the rejection of the applicant’s first plea in law, concerning the Grand Board of Appeal finding that Article 7(1)(c) of that regulation applied in order to declare the invalidity of the mark at issue in respect of all the goods and services it covers, it is unnecessary to examine the merits of the second plea in law relied on by the applicant, alleging infringement of Article 7(1)(b) of that regulation.
89In the light of all of the foregoing, the second plea in law must be rejected and, accordingly, the action must be dismissed in its entirety.
Costs
90Under Article 134(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the General Court, the unsuccessful party is to be ordered to pay the costs if they have been applied for in the successful party’s pleadings.
91Since a hearing has taken place and the applicant has been unsuccessful, it must be ordered to pay the costs, in accordance with the forms of order sought by EUIPO, Iceland, Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland) and SA – Business Iceland.
92INTA is to bear its own costs in accordance with Article 138(3) of the Rules of Procedure.
Operative part
On those grounds,THE GENERAL COURT (Seventh Chamber)hereby:
1.Dismisses the action;
2.Orders Iceland Foods Ltd to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland), Iceland and SA – Business Iceland;
3.Orders the International Trademark Association (INTA) to bear its own costs.
Delivered in open court in Luxembourg on 16 July 2025.
Source: EUR-Lex, © European Union, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Decision 2011/833/EU.