Meghan Markle has allegedly run into a “multi-billion dollar problem” regarding her lifestyle brand, Amerian Riviera Orchard (ARO), it has been claimed.
The Duchess of Sussex soft-launched her new business venture all the way back in March, however, after a short promotion period, there have not been any significant updates.
American Riviera Orchard is expected to sell a wide variety of products, including jams, dog biscuits and homeware items.
But it is not known when the official launch will take place, with hopes that the products could potentially hit the shelves before the end of this year.
As in many new businesses, the duchess’s launch has suffered many setbacks, with the latest one in September reportedly involving “irregularities” with its trademark and its registration to the US Patents and Trademarks Office – the agency responsible for granting US patents and registering trademarks.
At the time, it was understood that the Notices of Irregularity were entirely normal and expected and that any fees associated with them had been paid.
But now, a new report by the Daily Mail has claimed that the latest setback regarding ARO’s trademark came in the form of a “protest” to USPTO by a firm owning the trademark “Royal Riviera”.
The report said: “The owner, Harry & David, is an American institution, founded in 1934, with annual sales of £1.7billion and 3,300 staff.”
It added that the protest was “deemed relevant” due to “likelihood of confusion” and has already been referred to USPTO’s examining attorney, Marco Wright.
Speaking about the issue, Mr Eden said: “Her bid to trademark the American Riviera Orchard name has run into what might be described as a multi-billion dollar problem.”
The Daily Mail Diary Editor, Richard Eden, noted: “The scope of her ambitions appears to know no bounds, as was memorably observed by her friend, Kim Kardashian, who said that Meghan Markle was intent on ‘changing the world’.
“But are those dreams destined to be forever foiled?”
The Duchess of Sussex has been contacted for comment.
