The Duchess of Sussex's highly-publicised business venture, American Riviera Orchard, has encountered a significant setback after the United States Patent and Trademark Office officially refused her trademark application.
According to legal documents obtained from the USPTO, Meghan's application to trademark the brand name was rejected on June 26th, citing potential confusion with an existing trademark held by another business. The application, filed under the name MM Enterprises LLC, sought protection for various food and household products.
Legal Hurdles for Royal Business Venture
The trademark office identified a conflict with the existing "American Riviera" trademark owned by a Florida-based company. Legal experts suggest this could represent a major obstacle for Meghan's business plans, requiring either successful legal challenge or complete rebranding of the venture.
This development comes after the Duchess generated significant buzz around American Riviera Orchard earlier this year, sending carefully curated jars of strawberry jam to various influencers and celebrities. The brand's Instagram account quickly amassed over 600,000 followers despite limited content.
What This Means for Meghan's Business Empire
The rejection doesn't necessarily spell the end for American Riviera Orchard, but it does complicate the brand's commercial launch. Legal professionals note that Meghan's team has several options:
- Filing an appeal against the decision
- Negotiating with the existing trademark holder
- Modifying the brand name to avoid confusion
- Abandoning the trademark application altogether
This trademark challenge represents the latest in a series of business ventures for the Sussexes since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Their Archewell Foundation and various media projects have faced both successes and challenges in the competitive American market.
The timing is particularly sensitive given the couple's recent rebranding efforts and Meghan's upcoming Netflix cooking show, which many speculated would tie into the American Riviera Orchard brand.
