Icewind Registers Design to Protect Its Intellectual Property

The Icelandic start-up Icelandic Icewind has developed and launched a new type of wind turbine designed specifically to generate electricity in extremely demanding weather conditions. These turbines are particularly suited for powering telecommunications masts located on mountaintops. To secure a competitive edge and protect its market position, the company places great emphasis on safeguarding its intellectual property by registering its industrial designs both domestically and internationally.

According to Sæþór Ásgeirsson, founder and CEO of Icewind, the company originally started as a student project that has evolved significantly over the years. While initially focused on constructing an anemometer in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Iceland, the project expanded into developing wind turbines for summer houses, then turbines for extreme Arctic weather, and ultimately turbines for telecommunications and emergency systems.

Icewind plans to launch its first turbine on the market this year following extensive testing. By registering its design, Icewind ensures the protection of its turbines' appearance. Sæþór explains that while a registered design technically protects only the product's appearance, the functionality of their turbines is closely tied to their design, thereby indirectly safeguarding their performance. The company has also come to recognize the importance of aesthetics, independent of functionality, and has therefore prioritized designing visually appealing turbines.

“In the beginning, we were perhaps not fully aware of the importance of industrial design registration,” Sæþór admits. “It was something in the back of our minds—something we knew we needed to address eventually, but I didn’t realize how early it had to be done.”

This oversight led to instances where external parties used Icewind’s designs without permission. “It wasn’t until then that we realized just how crucial it was to take care of these matters early in the process,” he adds. “So later, when we made further modifications to the turbine, we ensured that everything was registered first, before sharing images online.”

Generally speaking, registering industrial designs and other intellectual property rights enhances credibility and attracts investors who are only willing to finance companies that have secured their intellectual property. Industrial design registration also strengthens a company's position in the market and improves its competitiveness on a global scale.

Learn more about industrial design registration