Harry and Meghan’s Archewell trademark application rejected

The former royals’ ambitious plan to launch a new foundation named Archewell has been hit with another major roadblock.

Meghan Markle and Harry's Archewell trademark application for their ambitious non-profit has been rejected because they didn't sign it, it was “too vague” and they didn't pay all the fees required.

According to The Sun, the former royals, who have reportedly delayed the launch of their organisation after relocating to LA amid the pandemic, have hit a stumbling block with the United States Patent and Trademark Office after submitting their application on March 3.

Paperwork seen by The Sun shows it was filed by Cobblestone Lane LLC, which is registered in Delaware but linked to the Beverly Hills offices of a Hollywood power lawyer, who has worked for Meghan for years.

As reported, Meghan and Harry are looking into creating a non-profit organisation which offers emotional support groups, a multimedia educational empire, and a wellbeing website similar to the former actress's deleted blog, The Tig.

Archewell is part of the couple’s bold new plan for their non-royal future.

An examiner was assigned to review their application on May 26 and they have since been sent an ‘Irregularity Notice’ by the USPTO addressing a catalogue of errors, including the vague nature of the proposed charitable work, according to documents.

The notice features a number of changes which need to be made by the couple's lawyer, Marjorie Witter Norman, by August 22 – otherwise the application will become “abandoned”.

The International Bureau considers the list of goods and/or services listed for the non-profit as being “too vague” for the purposes of classification.

The notice reads: “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.”

The notice also states that Meghan and Harry need to pay some additional fees to process their application.

A Non-Final Action was sent on June 2, and their trademark can be held without being active until the required amendments are filed.

In a final blunder, the examiner claims in the Non-Final Office Action: “The application was unsigned, resulting in the application not being properly verified.”

The Sun understands even the most diligently drafted trademark application may be initially rejected by the USPTO, with one in five failing their first examination.

Meghan and Harry, who are currently holed up at Tyler Perry's $27 million LA mansion, confirmed plans for their charity in April and said they "look forward" to getting back to work after stepping down from royal life in January and ditching their Sussex Royal brand.

They revealed Arche, the Greek word meaning source of action, was also the inspiration behind the name of their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned one on May 6.

Archie’s name was inspired by the Greek word “Arche”.

“We connected to this concept for the charitable organisation we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son's name,” they told The Daily Telegraph. "To do something of meaning, to do something that matters.

"Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon.”

They added: "We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right."

The non-profit aims to offer "classes, lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops, and retreats on a variety of topics," run a mentoring scheme, or conduct and host "events and exhibitions for cultural, sporting, health, mental health and entertainment purposes," as well as the potential to self-publish articles, magazines, books, music, podcasts, television shows, and computer software.

According to reports this week, they have delayed their plans until at least next year, as they focus their efforts on the Black Lives Matter movement and fighting COVID-19.

Describing how a public launch is now "off the cards", a source told The Daily Telegraph: "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."

The Sun has reached out to Meghan and Harry's rep and trademark lawyer for comment.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.