Upon learning that they would not be permitted to use the Sussex Royal name for their independent branding ventures following their departure from the Royal Family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to call their charitable foundation Archewell. They stated back in April that the idea was drawn from the Greek word ‘Arche’, meaning ‘source of action’, which also inspired the name of Harry and Meghan’s son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. But the couple have faced a fresh set back, with new reports emerging indicating that their trademark application has been rejected.

According to the Sun, the decision was made on the grounds that the Duke and Duchess did not sign the application, that it was ‘too vague’ and because they didn’t pay all the fees required. The couple reportedly submitted their application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office after submitting their application on 3 March. Paperwork obtained by the news outlet indicates that it was filed by Cobblestone Lane LLC, an organisation that’s registered in the US State of Delaware, but which reportedly has ties to the Beverly Hills offices of a leading Hollywood lawyer, employed by Meghan.

An examiner was reportedly assigned to review the application on 26 May. The Sun alleges that the couple have since received an ‘Irregularity Notice’ from the USPTO citing a number of problems. The Notice is said to set out changes which need to be implemented by the couple’s attorney, Marjorie Witter Norman, by 22 August – after which date the application will be ‘abandoned’.

Among the issues raised is the vague nature of the application, with the Notice reportedly stating: ‘The wording “providing a website featuring content relating to philanthropy, monetary giving, volunteer and career opportunities” in International Class 35 is also indefinite and over broad, and must be clarified to specify the nature of the content provided.’ It also states that Harry and Meghan still need to pay some additional fees in order to process their application.

A Non-Final Action was reportedly sent on 2 June, and the trademark can be held without being active until the necessary amendments are filed. Pointing out another issue, the examiner in the Non-Final Office Action paper added that ‘The application was unsigned, resulting in the application not being properly verified.’ Indeed the Sun reports that even carefully drafted trademark applications often face initial rejection by the USPTO, with one in five failing their first examination. The news outlet reached out to Harry and Meghan’s representatives and trademark attorney for comment.

The news comes following reports that the couple have delayed the launch of their new charitable foundation until next year, in light of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. A source told the Daily Telegraph that the public unveiling of Archewell is ‘not on the cards’ until 2021, stating: ‘What’s absolutely clear is that they want to get it right and there’s no point in rushing… They are settling into a new life, a new era. This is about getting it right and making sure they are able to make the difference they want to make.’

Source: Tatler

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have postponed the public launch of their Archewell project, after the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement coincided with their fresh start in America

The Duke and Duchess were expected to launch their non-profit organisation as they began their new working lives from Los Angeles in the spring, with its name now formally registered in the United States.

Instead, it is understood they will now postpone public announcements for the foreseeable future, with no official Archewell projects until next year.

Sources said the couple were responding to current affairs, redirecting their efforts to the Black Lives Matter cause and the wider repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

They have undertaken a series of video calls from their new base in LA, and are preparing for greater public involvement in the fight for equality.

The Duchess has already spoken of George Floyd, whose death has inspired worldwide protests against systemic racism, in an address to the graduating class of her old school.

The couple now plan to take a more vocal role in the movement imminently, with action in the coming days.

Sources said Archewell – intended as the home of their charitable activities and as a replacement for their Sussex Royal Foundation – is now unlikely to be launched this year, with the public unveiling fans were expecting “not on the cards” until 2021.

Source: The Telegraph