Iceland supermarket ends decade-long trademark battle with Iceland and offers ‘rapprochement discount’

The UK supermarket chain Iceland has formally ended its decade-long legal battle with the Nordic nation of the same name, drawing a line under one of Europe’s most unusual trademark disputes and promising a goodwill gesture to Icelandic consumers.

The frozen food retailer confirmed it would abandon further legal action after suffering its third defeat in European courts last year. Instead of continuing the costly dispute, the company plans to use funds earmarked for further litigation to offer what it has described as a “rapprochement discount” to shoppers in Iceland.

Richard Walker, the executive chair of the supermarket group, said the decision marked a pragmatic end to a legal fight that had stretched for nearly a decade and consumed significant time and resources.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Walker said the company would redirect the money that would have been spent on another legal appeal toward offering shopping vouchers to Icelandic consumers, which they could use in the retailer’s stores.

“We lost for a third time. We’re going to throw in the towel,” Walker said. “It’s actually fine, we don’t have to change our name.”

He added that the legal costs for another round in the European courts would have amounted to a couple of hundred thousand pounds, money the company now intends to spend on the goodwill initiative instead.

The legal conflict began in 2016, when the government of Iceland launched proceedings against the British supermarket chain over its EU-wide trademark registration for the word “Iceland.”

The country argued that the supermarket’s ownership of the trademark prevented Icelandic companies from properly promoting products abroad under the country’s name, potentially limiting exports and international branding opportunities.

Officials in Reykjavík contended that geographical names should remain available for public use and not be monopolised by private companies for commercial purposes.

The dispute quickly became a high-profile case in European intellectual property law, raising broader questions about the use of place names as trademarks and the rights of countries to promote their own national identity in international markets.

In July 2025, the EU General Court ruled against the supermarket chain and upheld an earlier decision to cancel its EU trademark for the word “Iceland”.

The court concluded that geographical names should remain accessible to businesses and organisations linked to that location and cannot normally be reserved exclusively by a single company.

The judgment effectively stripped the British retailer of its exclusive EU trademark rights, although the ruling did not require the supermarket to change its name.

Walker acknowledged that the legal defeat raised a new concern for the company — the possibility that competitors could attempt to use the name in the future.

“Other people now have the ability to open shops and call it Iceland and stock Iceland products,” he said.

Despite that risk, the retailer has decided not to pursue further appeals, bringing the long-running dispute to a close.

As part of its effort to move beyond the dispute, Iceland’s management plans to introduce a special discount scheme aimed at Icelandic consumers.

The proposed initiative is expected to involve shopping vouchers that residents of Iceland can use at the retailer’s stores, symbolising a more cooperative relationship between the brand and the country.

The company has not yet confirmed when the vouchers will be available or how they will be distributed, but executives say the gesture is intended to mark the end of hostilities and encourage goodwill.

The move also reflects the retailer’s desire to avoid further reputational damage from a legal fight that has attracted widespread international attention.

The decision to end the dispute comes during a period of leadership transition at the supermarket group.

Richard Walker took over as executive chair in 2023, succeeding his father Malcolm Walker, who co-founded Iceland in 1970 and led the company for more than five decades.

The younger Walker has increasingly positioned himself as a public advocate on economic and social issues in Britain. Earlier this year he was appointed the UK government’s cost of living champion and was also made a Labour peer by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Before that appointment he had previously been known as a supporter of the Conservative Party.

The Iceland supermarket chain began as a single frozen-food store in Oswestry, Shropshire, specialising in loose frozen products.

Over the decades it expanded rapidly to become one of Britain’s best-known budget grocery brands.

Today the business operates more than 900 company-owned stores across the UK, trading under the Iceland and The Food Warehouse brands.

The company also operates franchised stores internationally, including locations in the Channel Islands, Spain and Portugal.

Beyond its supermarket operations, the group owns the restaurant business Individual Restaurants, which operates brands including Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill.

Iceland spent several decades listed on the London Stock Exchange after its flotation in 1984.

During that period the company rebranded as The Big Food Group, expanding into multiple food retail formats.

However, in 2012 the company returned to private ownership following a £1.45 billion management buyout led by Malcolm Walker and South African investment firm Brait.

Walker and long-time chief executive Tarsem Dhaliwal subsequently bought out Brait’s stake in 2020, restoring full control of the business to its management team.

Dhaliwal himself has been closely associated with Iceland’s growth, having joined the company in 1985 as a trainee accountant before rising to become chief executive.

By abandoning the trademark dispute, Iceland’s leadership hopes to draw a definitive line under a legal battle that has lasted almost a decade and attracted attention across Europe.

For the supermarket chain, the decision represents a pragmatic recognition that the legal fight had run its course, and that repairing relations with Iceland may ultimately be more valuable than continuing a costly courtroom battle.

The planned “rapprochement discount” for Icelandic shoppers now stands as a symbolic gesture aimed at turning a long-running dispute into a moment of reconciliation between the British retailer and the Nordic country whose name it shares.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

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Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to eHealth, Inc.’s conference call to discuss the company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025 financial results. [Operator Instructions] I will now turn the floor over to Eli Newbrun-Mintz, Senior Investor Relations Manager. Please go ahead.

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Good afternoon, and thank you all for joining us. On the call today, Derrick Duke, eHealth’s Chief Executive Officer; and John Dolan, Chief Financial Officer, will discuss our fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025 financial results. Following these prepared remarks, we will open the line for a Q&A session with industry analysts.

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Apple refreshed its MacBook lineup in early March 2026 with the introduction of M5-powered models, bringing enhanced performance, expanded AI capabilities, doubled base storage in many configurations, and next-generation wireless connectivity. The updates arrived during a busy week of announcements that included the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, MacBook Neo, and new Studio Displays.

The M5 series builds on Apple’s silicon evolution, offering faster CPUs, advanced GPUs with Neural Accelerators in each core, and significant on-device AI improvements. Here’s what you need to know about the new MacBook Air with M5 and MacBook Pro models featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max.

1. **MacBook Air M5 Brings Exceptional Everyday Performance**
The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air now feature the base M5 chip, delivering a faster CPU and next-generation GPU for smoother workflows in creative tasks, multitasking, and AI-driven features. Apple highlights the M5’s ability to handle complex on-device AI, making the world’s most popular laptop even more capable for students, professionals, and everyday users.

2. **Doubled Base Storage and Faster SSDs**
All M5 MacBook Air models start with 512GB of storage — double the previous generation’s 256GB base — and use faster SSD technology for up to 2x quicker read/write speeds. Configurations reach up to 4TB, allowing users to store more files, photos, videos, and projects locally without relying on cloud services.

3. **Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple’s N1 Chip**
Apple’s custom N1 wireless chip powers Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 in the new MacBooks, providing faster, more reliable connections with lower latency. This upgrade supports seamless streaming, file transfers, and accessory pairing in crowded networks or on the go.

4. **Up to 18 Hours of Battery Life on MacBook Air**
The M5 MacBook Air maintains its class-leading efficiency, offering up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. Combined with the thin, light aluminum design, Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, Spatial Audio speakers, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports (supporting up to two external displays), it remains ideal for all-day use.

5. **M5 Pro and M5 Max Power the MacBook Pro Line**
The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models debut with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, featuring the world’s fastest CPU core, advanced GPUs with per-core Neural Accelerators, higher unified memory bandwidth, and up to 4x AI performance gains over prior generations — and 8x over M1 models. These enable demanding pro workflows like video editing, 3D rendering, machine learning, and advanced AI tasks directly on the device.

6. **Increased Base Storage and Faster SSDs in Pros**
M5 Pro MacBook Pros start at 1TB storage, while M5 Max models begin at 2TB. SSD performance doubles in speed compared to previous generations, accelerating file access, app launches, and large project handling for creatives and developers.

7. **Thunderbolt 5, Liquid Retina XDR, and Pro Features**
The MacBook Pro lineup includes Thunderbolt 5 ports for ultra-fast data transfer, a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with optional nano-texture glass to reduce glare, up to 24 hours of battery life, a 12MP Center Stage camera, studio-quality mics, a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, and support for macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence.

8. **Pricing Reflects Upgrades and Storage Boosts**
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at $1,099 (education $999), and the 15-inch at $1,299 (education $1,199) — a $100 increase from prior models due to doubled storage and other enhancements. MacBook Pro pricing begins at $2,199 for the 14-inch M5 Pro, $2,699 for the 16-inch M5 Pro, $3,599 for the 14-inch M5 Max, and $3,899 for the 16-inch M5 Max, with education discounts available.

9. **Pre-Order and Availability Timeline**
Pre-orders for all M5 MacBooks opened March 4, 2026, at 6:15 a.m. PST via apple.com and the Apple Store app in dozens of countries. Devices began shipping and arriving in Apple Stores and authorized resellers on March 11, 2026. Color options include sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver for Air models, and space black and silver for Pros.

10. **Focus on AI and Future-Proofing**
The M5 series emphasizes on-device Apple Intelligence for privacy-focused AI features, faster processing for creative and professional apps, and ecosystem integration. With no major design changes, the refresh prioritizes internal upgrades to keep MacBooks competitive in a PC market emphasizing AI capabilities and efficiency.

The M5 MacBooks arrive amid strong demand for powerful, portable computing, positioning Apple to maintain leadership in laptops for education, business, and creative work. Early hands-on reports praise the performance gains and storage improvements, though some note the price bumps for base models.

As availability ramps up, these updates reinforce Apple’s commitment to silicon innovation and user-centric enhancements in its flagship portable lineup.

Apple unveiled the MacBook Neo on March 4, 2026, during its week-long product rollout, introducing an all-new, ultra-affordable laptop that brings the core Mac experience to a breakthrough price point of $599. Powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro series, the 13-inch device targets students, first-time buyers, and budget-conscious users while maintaining premium build quality and Apple Intelligence features.

The announcement capped a busy week that included the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air and Pro models, and a refreshed Studio Display lineup. Here’s what you need to know about the MacBook Neo, Apple’s most accessible laptop ever.

1. **Breakthrough Pricing Starts at $599**
The MacBook Neo launches at $599 in the U.S., with education pricing dropping to $499. This makes it Apple’s lowest-priced laptop by a wide margin — $500 less than the MacBook Air — positioning it to compete directly with midrange Windows PCs and Chromebooks. Pre-orders opened immediately on March 4, with availability beginning March 11 in over 70 countries.

2. **A18 Pro Chip Delivers Surprising Performance**
Unlike traditional Macs with M-series silicon, the Neo runs on the A18 Pro chip, featuring a 6-core CPU (2 performance, 4 efficiency cores), 5-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple claims up to 50% faster everyday tasks like web browsing and up to 3x quicker on-device AI workloads compared to the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 PCs. It supports Apple Intelligence features seamlessly, including advanced photo editing and AI tools across apps.

3. **Vibrant Color Options Stand Out**
The MacBook Neo comes in four eye-catching colors: blush (soft pink), indigo (deep blue), silver (classic), and citrus (fresh yellow-green). The durable aluminum enclosure matches the vibrant hues, echoing the fun aesthetics of past colorful Apple products like the iMac G3 or iBook era, but in a modern, premium form.

4. **13-Inch Liquid Retina Display Brings Vivid Visuals**
The 13-inch Liquid Retina screen offers high resolution (2,408 x 1,506), 500 nits brightness, and support for 1 billion colors. It delivers sharp, vibrant visuals for streaming, browsing, creative work, and everyday use, with reduced glare for better viewing in varied lighting.

5. **All-Day Battery Life and Efficient Design**
Apple touts up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, enabled by the power-efficient A18 Pro and optimized macOS Tahoe. The slim, lightweight build prioritizes portability without sacrificing endurance, making it ideal for students or mobile users.

6. **Premium Build with Familiar Mac Features**
The MacBook Neo features Apple’s renowned Magic Keyboard for comfortable typing, a large Multi-Touch trackpad supporting intuitive gestures, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual microphones, and dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support. It includes two USB-C ports (one USB 3, one USB 2), a headphone jack, and MagSafe charging in color-matched variants.

7. **macOS Tahoe and Seamless Ecosystem Integration**
Running macOS Tahoe, the Neo offers built-in apps like Safari, Messages, Pages, and Calendar, plus deep iPhone continuity features. It fully supports Apple Intelligence for on-device AI tasks, ensuring a future-proof experience despite the mobile-derived chip.

8. **Strategic Positioning Below MacBook Air**
The Neo slots below the MacBook Air in Apple’s lineup, serving as an entry point for new users while preserving premium quality. It avoids compromises like a backlit keyboard in base models or haptic trackpad in some configs, but delivers strong value through efficient hardware and build.

9. **Accidental Leak Built Hype**
Apple briefly posted a regulatory document for the “MacBook Neo” (Model A3404) on its compliance site March 3, sparking widespread speculation before removal. The leak confirmed the name and fueled excitement ahead of the March 4 “special Apple Experience” events in New York, London, and Shanghai, where hands-on demos showcased the device.

10. **Aims to Expand Mac Accessibility**
Apple positions the Neo as making “the magic of Mac” accessible to millions, targeting education markets, emerging users, and those seeking an affordable premium alternative. Early reviews praise its surprising build quality, performance for the price, and vibrant design, with analysts viewing it as a smart move to grow market share amid economic pressures.

The MacBook Neo represents Apple’s boldest step yet into the budget laptop segment, blending iPhone-derived efficiency with Mac polish. As pre-orders surge and devices ship March 11, it could redefine expectations for entry-level computing in the Apple ecosystem.

Seth MacFarlane has delivered a hopeful yet cautious update on the future of his sci-fi comedy series “The Orville,” revealing that all 10 scripts for a potential fourth season are finished but production remains stalled due to his packed professional commitments.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter promoting the second season of his Peacock series “Ted,” MacFarlane addressed fan speculation about the show’s status nearly four years after “The Orville: New Horizons” concluded its third run on Hulu in 2022.

“I will be honest with you: Season four is written,” MacFarlane said. “It’s just a question of when we have the time to produce it. The 10 scripts are done. I’m the problem. It’s [a matter of] when I can make that my year, with all the other stuff we have in the works. But we can hit the ground running when it happens.”

The confirmation marks the most concrete progress reported on Season 4 since the series shifted from Fox to Hulu for its third season. MacFarlane emphasized that Hulu remains supportive and ready to move forward, underscoring the project’s ongoing viability despite the long hiatus.

“The Orville” blends Star Trek-inspired space exploration with irreverent humor, following Captain Ed Mercer (MacFarlane) and the crew of the USS Orville as they navigate interstellar adventures, personal relationships, and moral dilemmas. The show has built a dedicated fanbase for its character-driven storytelling, practical effects, and balance of comedy and drama.

Season 3, titled “New Horizons,” aired in 2022 and received praise for its ambitious scope, including high-stakes storylines involving the Kaylon war, Krill alliances, and character growth for figures like Commander Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki) and Dr. Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald). The season ended on an optimistic note with the crew united, leaving room for future explorations but no cliffhanger demanding immediate resolution.

Despite the lack of new episodes, the series has maintained cultural relevance through streaming availability on Hulu and international platforms. Fans have kept hope alive through online communities, petitions, and convention appearances by cast members, who have consistently expressed enthusiasm for returning.

MacFarlane’s schedule has indeed been demanding. In addition to starring in and executive producing “Ted” — whose second season premiered in early 2026 — he has juggled multiple projects, including voice work, music, and development deals. He has described “The Orville” as a passion project that requires his full attention as creator, writer, director, and lead actor, making it challenging to carve out the extended production window needed for the show’s elaborate sets, visual effects, and ensemble filming.

Earlier reports, including comments from co-star Scott Grimes in 2024, suggested potential filming in early 2025, but no production has materialized. Some outlets speculated about renewal in late 2024, but MacFarlane’s latest comments clarify that while scripts exist and the network is amenable, timing remains the primary obstacle.

The delay has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Many celebrated the script completion as a sign the show is far from dead, with social media buzzing over the prospect of new adventures for the Planetary Union crew. Others expressed frustration over the wait, noting that four years without new content risks losing momentum in a competitive streaming landscape.

MacFarlane has repeatedly insisted the series is not canceled. “Nobody has told me that it’s dead from the network,” he said in prior interviews, and the current update reinforces that sentiment. Hulu executives have previously praised the show, with ABC Entertainment and Hulu president Craig Erwich calling it a “great show” loved by fans, though no formal renewal announcement has followed.

The series’ future could hinge on MacFarlane prioritizing it amid his expanding portfolio. If production begins, the elaborate practical sets and VFX-heavy episodes typically require 12-18 months from start to premiere, potentially pushing a Season 4 debut to late 2027 or beyond.

For now, the 10 completed scripts represent a tangible step forward, keeping the door open for the USS Orville to resume its journey. MacFarlane’s candid acknowledgment of his role in the delay highlights the personal investment required for a project he has steered from inception.

As “Ted” Season 2 unfolds and other commitments continue, fans await word on when — or if — MacFarlane can clear his calendar for the stars. Until then, the Planetary Union remains in a holding pattern, with scripts ready and hope enduring.

The longtime Manhattan residence of the late Ivana Trump has finally traded hands, but at a price that reflects a sobering reality for New York City’s luxury real estate market.

Property records show the opulent Upper East Side townhouse sold on Feb. 27 for $14 million, the Wall Street Journal reported. It’s a $12.5 million price cut from the original $26.5 million asking price set shortly after the businesswoman’s death in 2022.

The $14 million sale comes after three price cuts over the past three years.

Even with the massive discount, the estate saw a $2.5 million return from what Ivana originally paid in 1992. Proceeds from the sale are set to be split among her three children, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump.

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A piece of the Trump family legacy, Ivana bought the home shortly after her divorce from President Donald Trump, and the nearly 9,000-square-foot limestone mansion served as the home base for their children during their teenage years.

Ivana Trump’s New York City townhouse sold for $14 million in February. (Getty Images)

“My mom absolutely loved that house,” Eric Trump told the Journal in 2022. He also said the opulence “embodied Ivana Trump.”

The home was a real estate personification of Ivana’s bold, unapologetic style. She oversaw extensive renovations shortly after buying the property to transform the former dental office into a six-story monument to luxury.

Located on the Upper East Side between Fifth and Madison avenues, the Versailles-inspired home features gold accents and shades of red. It has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two small galley-style kitchens and multiple entertaining areas.

Some of the more grand interior design features include Chinese murals, silk-covered walls, a leopard-print library and crystal chandeliers in almost every room.

Ivana Trump lived in the home for three decades until her death in July 2022. She was found unconscious at the bottom of a staircase in the home after what authorities ruled was an accidental fall that caused blunt impact injuries, Fox News previously reported.

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While transaction volume for New York City townhouses rose in 2025, the actual average sale prices fell, according to Leslie Garfield & Co.’s 2025 townhouse report. By the third quarter of 2025, the average sale price for Manhattan townhouses dropped 14% to $6.9 million.

Adam Modlin of the Modlin Group represented the buyer and seller in the transaction. He did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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