Duchess of Sussex faces challenges as her brand name is rejected by U.S. Patent Office
Meghan Markle has reportedly been left in tears after her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, faced a significant setback. The Duchess of Sussex's application to trademark the brand name was denied by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, leaving her and her team scrambling for alternatives.
According to insiders, the rejection has caused a "last-minute spin" for Meghan's business venture. The team is already considering backup names, with sources noting that similar situations, like Kim Kardashian’s rebranding, have still led to success.
The name change is expected to be costly, especially given the late stage of branding preparations, but the source assured, "It won’t be the end of the world." The rejection stems from the term "American Riviera" being a well-known nickname for Santa Barbara, which makes it difficult to trademark due to its geographic significance.
Meghan first announced her new business venture in March 2024, marking her return to social media. The rejection from the USPTO cited the brand name as being "primarily geographically descriptive," which led to the refusal.
