Meghan Markle Must Be Fuming: Fourth Rejection from the US Patent and Trademark Office
Meghan Markle is likely feeling the heat after receiving yet another setback from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in her quest to trademark the "American Riviera Orchard" brand. This marks her fourth attempt to push through, and once again, it’s a no-go. To make matters worse, she faces opposition not only from the bureaucratic hurdles but also from the well-known food company Harry and David. They have stepped in, waving their "Royal Riviera" trademark like a flag of defiance.
The USPTO's response seems almost designed to provoke serious frustration. They reiterated that businesses cannot trademark geographical names, which means Meghan’s nostalgic reference to Santa Barbara, where she and Prince Harry reside, doesn't bolster her case. According to the USPTO, simply adding "Orchard" to "American Riviera" does not magically make it less Californian.
As if that weren't enough to sour the entire endeavor, Harry and David's protest further complicates matters. They argue that Meghan's chosen name bears a striking resemblance to their own "Royal Riviera" line, raising concerns that the ARO brand could mislead pear enthusiasts across the nation. Harry and David clearly do not appreciate the potential competition from this royal newcomer, prompting them to escalate the situation. Now, the matter has been passed up the USPTO hierarchy.
Here sits Meghan, watching her glamorous lifestyle brand plans slip further out of reach as the examining attorney, Marco R., takes a closer look. At this point, the situation is becoming almost comical with the endless rejections and rivalries piling up; it feels like every possible hurdle has been thrown in her path. Can you imagine her reaction, sitting at home in Montecito, reading through the USPTO's public memo that suggests Harry and David's protest might be entirely valid?
There’s a bit of irony in all this: the name Harry and David just has to sting. And let's not forget the cherry on top—the extra fees. As if everything else weren’t frustrating enough, the USPTO has kindly informed Meghan that she needs to fork over an additional $700 if she wishes to keep moving forward with her application. Just a little financial nudge to accompany the branding adjustments they require. At this point, she’s probably wondering how much she has already spent on this effort.
It’s known that Meghan could hire nearly any high-priced legal expert to handle this matter, yet she reportedly opted for an entertainment law firm rather than a trademark specialist. Here she is, grappling with trademark rules 101, like someone trying to claim a street name as their exclusive brand identity and looking bewildered when told that’s not how it works. You’d think that with all her resources, she would have someone on hand to conduct a thorough copyright search.
It’s fitting that she has unintentionally proven Tina Brown’s point about Marco being flawless at getting it all wrong. Despite having resources, connections, and opportunities galore, here she is making headlines for not securing a name on a basket of pears. What’s next? Will she pull a Kim Kardashian and rebrand like Kim did from “kimono” to “Skims”? Perhaps we’ll see "Sussex Riviera" next. At this point, she’s probably kicking herself for not holding onto those Sussex Royal trademarks she was blocked from using ages ago.
