EU rules Rovaniemi is Santa’s hometown
The bloc’s patent office says the city in Finnish Lapland can keep its status as the “official hometown of Santa Claus.”
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has decided to uphold the trademark “official hometown of Santa Claus“, owned by the city of Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland.
The EUIPO made its decision after a request was filed to have the trademark cancelled. The agency, however, found that there were no grounds for revoking it.
The “official hometown of Santa Claus” trademark is registered in the EU as well as in the United States, Britain, Japan and Norway, among other countries.
The cancellation request was filed by Dutch freelance journalist Lex Boon.
Boon told Yle in 2025 that he was not trying to take on Santa Claus or the city of Rovaniemi. His argument was simply that, as a fictional character, Santa Claus could have his hometown anywhere.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: How do reindeer fly? How does Santa deliver gifts? NORAD answers kids’ Christmas questions, CBC News
Finland: Reindeer stroll through downtown Rovaniemi, delighting tourists, Yle News
Norway: Champion crowned in 2026 Norwegian reindeer championships, Eye on the Arctic
