Meghan Markle’s suffers huge economic impact as she and Prince Harry ‘change track’ in latest business venture
n a year marked by ambitious plans, Meghan Markle’s latest business venture, the American Riviera Orchard brand, seems to be grappling with unforeseen obstacles. While the lifestyle brand initially stirred excitement with a splashy launch and social media buzz, it hasn’t yet put a single product on the market. Now, a trademark dispute has surfaced, adding to the brand’s struggles.
Initially launched with a new website and a dedicated Instagram page, American Riviera Orchard was touted as a premium lifestyle line. Select products, including an American Riviera Orchard jam, were gifted to celebrity friends who showcased them on social media earlier in the year. However, items haven’t become available to the general public, and Meghan’s journey to secure a firm footing in the competitive lifestyle market appears to be fraught with challenges.
The Duchess encountered her first roadblock when the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected her application to trademark “American Riviera Orchard” due to potential overlap with an existing trademark. This nonfinal ruling gave her a three-month deadline to respond or risk abandoning the application entirely. But her challenges have intensified, as a protest from Harry & David, a U.S.-based luxury gift company, has thrown her trademark process into further uncertainty.
Harry & David, the owners of the “Royal Riviera” trademark for their signature Oregon-grown pears, claim that the American Riviera Orchard name risks consumer confusion. They’ve filed a letter of protest with the USPTO, which has since escalated the case to a senior trademark attorney for further review.
Despite these legal obstacles, insiders suggest that Meghan remains dedicated to her brand’s success. A source recently noted that “the process for acquiring a trademark is extremely rigorous,” but assured that Meghan is committed to seeing it through. They added that, given the circumstances, Meghan is expected to address the USPTO’s issues before the deadline to keep her brand’s vision alive
