Increased Trademark Filing Activity in 2025

In 2025, the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office (ISIPO) received 809 trademark applications from Icelandic applicants, representing a 5% increase compared to 2024. This marks the highest number of domestic trademark filings since 2018.

There was also a slight rise in trademark applications from foreign applicants, with 552 applications filed in 2025 compared to 538 the previous year. At the same time, international trademark applications seeking protection in Iceland through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) decreased slightly, from 2,510 in 2024 to 2,413 in 2025.

Actavis, Ölgerðin, and MS Hold the Most Registered Trademarks

There are currently close to 66,000 registered trademarks in Iceland. The majority are owned by U.S. entities, nearly 13,000, followed by Icelandic entities, with just over 7,000 trademarks.

Among Icelandic entities, the top trademark holders are Actavis Group PTC ehf., Ölgerðin Egill Skallagrímsson, and Mjólkursamsalan ehf. The foreign entities with the most trademarks registered in Iceland are Apple Inc., Pfizer Inc., and Monster Energy Company.

In 2025, the ISIPO received 18 oppositions to trademark registrations. Nineteen opposition decisions were issued during the year. Additionally, the Office received 15 requests for trademark cancellation and one invalidation request. Six decisions were issued in cancellation cases and one in an invalidation case.

Decline in National Patent Applications

The ISIPO received 43 national patent applications in 2025, down from 47 the previous year. Of these, 23 applications were from Icelandic applicants, 14 from foreign applicants, and six were filed through the WIPO-administered Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system.

Despite the decrease in application volume, the number of granted national patents increased slightly. In 2025, the ISIPO granted national patents to five Icelandic applicants and eight foreign applicants.

Most patents in force in Iceland are European patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), which have been validated in Iceland. The number of such validations decreased from 1,073 in 2024 to 927 in 2025.

Only 1% of Patents in Force Held by Icelandic Entities

There are currently just over 9,000 patents in force in Iceland. Nearly 3,300 are owned by U.S. entities, while only a little over 100 patents are held by Icelandic applicants, representing approximately 1% of active patents in the country.

The Icelandic companies with the highest number of patents in force are Hampiðjan, Össur, and Marel. The largest foreign patent holder in Iceland is International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Of the top patent holders in Iceland, only three are not pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.

Over 1,500 Registered Designs in Force

In 2025, the ISIPO received 204 applications for design registration. A significant majority, 163, were international applications filed through WIPO. Icelandic applicants submitted 34 design applications, the highest number recorded in recent years.
There are currently over 1,500 registered designs in force in Iceland, most of which are owned by Swiss entities. Icelandic entities hold 86 of the active design registrations.

More statistics are published here.