Sweden, recognised as one of Europe’s most beautiful countries, has done something no other country in the entire world has done.
In order to protect its precious identity, the country has put forward a trademark application to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The decision for the trademark came because the country wanted to prevent travellers who wanted to experience Sweden from getting confused by international duplicates. And now, the country is asking people across the globe to support the application by signing an online petition.
Sweden’s trademark application would make sure that enthusiastic travellers preparing for a trip to the country’s stunning landscapes full of lakes and forests don’t end up in some other random place.
Although it might seem silly, it also is somewhat valid.
According to research by Visit Sweden, nearly 45% of British travellers shared that they find planning travels to destinations that have the same name as somewhere else confusing.
Not only that, but 7% actually ended up travelling to the wrong place and so Sweden wants to prevent the 7.4 million Brits who have the country on their bucket list from travelling to the wrong place.
Susanne Andersson, Visit Sweden CEO, said: “It’s flattering that others want to be called Sweden, but we’d prefer if there were only one. Our Sweden. The one with the lakes, islands, forests, and the world’s best flat-pack furniture.”
Currently, there is only one other place in the world besides the European country named Sweden, and that’s a town on the other side of the world in New York.
Swedes and travellers in the UK agree with the idea of the country trademarking itself. With 45% of young Brits think it is a great way to prevent location mix-ups.
The Visit Sweden CEO added: “We want everyone to join us, sign the petition, and help travellers discover the one and only, and original, Sweden.”
