Common Practices adjusted to Icelandic legislation

The Icelandic Intellectual Property Office (ISIPO) has since 2013 participated in and implemented several EUIPOs harmonization projects (Common Practices – CP) in relation to the handling of trademark and design applications. ISIPOs participation is based on a co-operation agreement between the offices from 2013 and the fact that Icelandic legislation in this field has been aligned with the relevant EU Directives, based on the EEA-Agreement.

In the last months the Office has worked on the adjustment of the main projects with Icelandic legislation and interpretation to increase clarity, transparency, legal certainty and predictability for the benefit of both users and examiners of the Office. The Practice Papers, along with all implemented CP projects in Iceland are now available in English on both Icelandic and English versions of the ISIPO website. Notification of the Icelandic Practice Papers has also been published on the EUIPN website of the EUIPO.

The Practice Papers concern CP3: Distinctiveness – Figurative Marks containing descriptive/non-distinctive words; CP4: Scope of protection of Black and White marks; CP11: New Types of Marks: examination of Formal Requirements and Grounds for Refusal and CP6: Convergence on graphic representations of Designs. Each practice document is divided into two parts. The first part summarises the key messages and statements of the practice principles. The second part provides a clear and comprehensive explanation of those principles.