Meghan Markle’s new home goods brand, American Riviera Orchard, has hit a snag, and it’s all about the logo.
Just recently, it was revealed that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has denied a crucial application for the brand’s name.
The reason? They say businesses can’t trademark geographic locations.
This includes the ‘American Riviera’ moniker for the coastline near Meghan and Harry’s home in Montecito, California.
Logo Issues and Trademark Troubles
The USPTO isn’t stopping there. They’re now raising questions about the way the letter ‘O’ is represented in the brand’s logo.
The office has labeled this as a ‘non-final action,’ meaning Meghan’s application needs revisions.
The description of the mark on the application doesn’t match the actual logo, which is causing confusion.
The office notes that the letter ‘O’ in the logo is so stylized it’s almost unrecognizable, and the current description fails to capture all the design elements accurately.
The USPTO has suggested a revised description for the mark, which includes a double-lined octagon featuring overlapping letters ‘AR’ with decorative, looping lines and a stylized flower on the letter ‘A’.
They also pointed out that some of the goods listed in the application are described too broadly, such as ‘bath soap’ and ‘cooking utensils’.
They recommended more precise classifications, like ‘gift wrap of fabric or textile’ for some items.
A Bumpy Road for American Riviera Orchard
Meghan’s attempt to launch American Riviera Orchard faced an early setback when she sent out 50 jars of ‘homemade’ strawberry jam to celebrities in March.
Each jar had a number from the batch, but this latest issue with the trademark adds to her growing list of challenges.
The brand was supposed to launch by the end of the year, but this delay could push that timeline back.
Earlier trademark troubles included a refusal from the USPTO due to Meghan’s failure to pay the required fees and other filing errors.
The office also flagged issues with another business using the term ‘American Riviera,’ highlighting a Santa Barbara candle company’s use of the name.
Ongoing Challenges and High Staff Turnover
This isn’t the first time Meghan’s trademarks have been in trouble.
Last August, she abandoned her attempt to trademark the name of her podcast ‘Archewell’ after discovering a blog with the same name had already secured the trademark.
The Sussexes have also had difficulties finding a CEO for Meghan’s lifestyle brand and dealing with high staff turnover.
Reports suggest that Meghan and Harry’s demanding nature is a factor in the frequent departures.
Notable staff exits include Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Toubati, her female bodyguard, and several other key figures.
Despite these challenges, a source close to the Sussexes insists that such issues are routine when filing for trademarks and that Meghan’s team is working to resolve them.
It seems the road ahead for American Riviera Orchard will be filled with more hurdles, but Meghan and Harry are determined to push through.
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