Meghan Markle’s trademark for ‘American Riviera’ denied over geographic restrictions

Meghan Markle recently faced a setback with her American Riviera Orchard home goods brand, as her trademark application was denied by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Duchess of Sussex’s attempt to trademark small-batch jams and other household items hit a snag due to issues with using geographic locations, specifically the nickname for the Santa Barbara area where she resides with Prince Harry.

On August 31, the USPTO rejected the application, citing that trademarks cannot be granted for geographic names, including “American Riviera,” a popular term for the Santa Barbara coastline. The denial also highlighted several issues with her filing, including vague product descriptions that spanned multiple trademark categories and missing signatures on key documents.

For example, Markle’s descriptions of items like ‘cocktail napkins’ and ‘cooking utensils’ were too broad, potentially fitting into different trademark classifications. Additionally, the USPTO included a screenshot showing another local business, sbcoastalcandles.com, already using the ‘American Riviera’ name for a candle product.

This decision complicates the planned launch of Markle’s brand, which was reportedly set to roll out by the end of the year. Her trademark filings had outlined plans to sell various home goods, including tableware, drinkware, kitchen linens, and pantry items like jams and spreads.

This latest development adds to a series of challenges Markle has faced, including previous difficulties with securing rights for her Archewell podcast brand last year. The Sussexes have also seen a significant turnover in staff, with several high-profile employees leaving their team since 2018, including personal assistants, bodyguards, and PR experts. Most recently, their chief of staff, Josh Kettler, departed after just three months, with the separation described as a mutual decision at the end of his trial period.