Meghan Markle Abandons Bid to Trademark Archetypes
Meghan Markle has officially ditched her Archetypes podcast after her £18 million Spotify deal fell through. The Duchess of Sussex had previously attempted to secure the name of the ill-fated streaming series but has now withdrawn the bid.
Abandonment Notice Filed
In a newly-revealed notice on the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website, it was revealed that Meghan and Prince Harry have formally withdrawn their claim to trademark the name "Archetypes" for their firm, Archewell Audio. The application was for the name to be used for "downloadable audio recordings and podcasts, all in the fields of cultural treatment of women and stereotypes facing women."
Spotify Deal Scrapped
Meghan's Spotify deal was scrapped in June, with the announcement that her podcast would not be renewed for a second series. It was reported that the shows did not meet "productivity requirements."
Controversial Episodes
Meghan's Archetypes podcast, which aimed to discuss "labels that try to hold women back," produced 13 episodes over a span of 31 months. Controversy was sparked by the podcast when Meghan claimed that her son Archie had to be saved from a fire during a royal tour of Africa. She also addressed the suggestion that she was "Duchess Difficult" and spoke about leaving a job as a briefcase model on TV game show Deal Or No Deal because she felt objectified. Celebrity guests on the show included Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, and Candace Bushnell.
Trademark Application Struggles
Reports have suggested that Archewell revived its bid to trademark the Archetypes title even after the Spotify deal was cancelled. However, the 17-month struggle to protect the name appears to be over. The application was initially rejected due to the "likelihood of confusion" with an existing trademark owned by US-based firm Miracle IP Holdings. The Sussexes' representatives have now filed an "express abandonment" of their application.
The End of the Spotify Deal
Meghan Markle first signed the Spotify deal in December 2020 after stepping down from her royal duties. However, it took another 20 months for her Archetypes podcast to launch in August 2022. The deal was not renewed by Spotify, leading to the abandonment of the podcast.
