Meghan Markle Royally Screws up Trademark Application

Meghan Markle’s recent efforts to launch a new lifestyle brand under the name “American Riviera Orchard” have hit a procedural snag. Earlier this year, her company, Mama Knows Best, LLC, filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect the brand name for a variety of products, including kitchenware, drinkware, and jams. However, the USPTO issued a non-final action on the application, citing several issues that need to be resolved before the trademark can be approved, including:

• a finding that the mark is geographically descriptive;
• a requirement to disclaim descriptive wording;
• a requirement to amend the identification of goods;
• a multiple-class application requirement; and
• a requirement to properly verify the application.

While these procedural hurdles may seem concerning at first glance, they are actually a routine part of the trademark process. It’s important to understand that this non-final action is not an outright rejection but rather a request for clarification and correction. 

Once the necessary corrections are made, the application can continue moving through the standard channels toward approval. For now, the process is still on track, and this step is just one of many in establishing a successful brand.