MEDIA-savvy Meghan Markle could launch her own newspaper or magazine, after she and Prince Harry trademarked 100 items.
The Sussex royal brand is diversifying to include clothing, footwear, printed material and even newspapers as Meghan and Harry expand their empire.
The couple has applied to have their royal trademark stamped on scores of items and services, according to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
Its website shows that “Sussex Royal” has applied to have its trade mark on printed matter, including teaching material, books, magazines, brochures, calendars, posters, postcards and artists’ material.
In another category, it’ll be applied to clothing and footwear, such as “jackets, anoraks, trousers, hooded tops, bandanas, socks, gloves and sportswear.”
Campaigning, promotional and “public awareness campaigns” are also covered in their expansion bid, for example “developing and coordinating volunteer projects for charitable purposes.”
CONSERVATION
Sussex Royal has also put its trade mark on “health and wellness training, education and training relating to nature, conservation and the environment, organising youth training schemes and training sports coaches”.
And in another section, their brand will cover “social care services, namely organising and conducting emotional support groups, counselling, mentoring and personal care services”.
By protecting their trade mark, the royals will be able to take action if anyone tries to use their names on unapproved products or services, or tries to use them on counterfeit items.
The Intellectual Property Office says that the “Sussex Royal The Foundation Of The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex” is being represented by lawyers Harbottle & Lewis.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
According to the London-based firm’s website: “The creation, exploitation and protection of intellectual property rights are fundamental to the success of most of our clients.”
Harbottle & Lewis “represented the estate of bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett in enforcement of trade mark rights against unauthorised merchandise.
“Clients come to us for essential intellectual property advice because we are known specialists who understand their industries.
“We can advise you on a full range of IP issues, both contentious and non-contentious, including transactions, dispute resolution and strategy.
“Our IP litigators work on high-value disputes, as well as resolving smaller issues and counterfeiting problems cost-effectively.”
OBJECT
The Sussex’s expanded list of items to come under the royal umbrella has been published in the December 20, 2019 Trade Mark journal.
People can object to a trade mark application for two months after its published in the journal.
The IPO says that its the trade mark holder’s “responsibility to defend your intellectual property, and to take action if someones used without permission known as an infringement.
“Examples of IP infringement include when someone uses, sells or imports your patented product, or process, uses all or some of your work under copyright without permission, or makes, offers or sells your registered design for commercial gain.
“It can also be infringed if people use a trade mark thats identical or similar to one youve registered.”
The government warns that it can be a criminal offence to copy or use copyright material and registered trade marks and designs without permission.
