Permission To Use Flag To Sell Products Could Be Expanded

A bill from the Prime Minister would, if passed, expand how the Icelandic flag may be used for commercial purposes.

According to an announcement on the webpage of the Prime Minister’s office, the bill would, if passed into law, allow people to use the Icelandic flag on products or services for sale without having to first apply for permission to do so, so long as the products in question are Icelandic.

Furthermore, “Icelandic products” will be defined as those products which have been produced in Iceland from Icelandic raw materials, or those which, despite using imported raw materials, have been produced in Iceland for at least the past 30 years. In addition, “Icelandic design” will be defined as that which has been designed in Iceland by an Icelander, even if the raw materials for making the designed product are imported.

However, the announcement emphasises, use of the Icelandic flag in a logo will be “totally prohibited”.

Expanding the commericialisation of the Icelandic flag was first proposed almost five years ago, but failed to pass. Currently, those wishing to use the flag for commercial purposes must apply for permission from the Prime Minister’s office. If the current bill passes, the Consumer Agency would be in charge of the matter.