Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand Runs Into Legal Issues

Fans are ready to receive all the promised offerings from Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, which she officially launched in April, but there might be a snag in the way. What’s the snag?
The brand’s name: American Riviera Orchard.

Meghan Markle Hit With Million-dollar Trademark Case

Is it bad luck that Meghan Markle seems to be running into legal issues nearly everytime she wants to trademark a brand? The Duchess, 43, has been hit with a legal claim lodged with the United States Patent and Trademark Office by a trademarked firm called Royal Riviera.

Harry and David are the owners of the American institution originally founded in 1934, which has since grown to become a £1.7 billion business with 3,300 staff members.

The business deemed the protest “relevant” due to “likelihood of confusion,” addressing it to Marco Wright, the Trademark Office’s Examining Attorney.

This seems to be another obstacle in the former actress’s path as she seeks to build a lifestyle brand worthy to compete with those of her counterparts, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Martha Stewart.

Even though the products are yet to become accessible to the public, she tried to draw interest and increase exposure for it by offering the brand’s jams to influencers and friends, including Chrissy Teigen, Mindy Kaling, and Kris Jenner. Later on, she teased the brand’s dog treats via Prince Harry’s Polo friend, Nachos Figueras.

According to the application, American Riviera Orchard will sell a wide range of lifestyle and household items, from home goods, cosmetics and fragrances, stationary and wallpaper and even yoga equipment and gardening gear.

Some of its flogged products include Jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit preserves, edible oils, nut butters, vegetable-based spreads, cookbooks, tableware, decanters, napkin rings, cutlery, table linens, placemats, napkins, and more.

Meghan will likely draw from her rich experiences as a lifestyle blogger and influencer to make the brand one that’ll stand the test of time.

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