Meghan Markle faces plagiarism claims over new brand logo

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex has found herself at the centre of a controversy involving her newly rebranded lifestyle company, As Ever.

This rebranding has sparked allegations of plagiarism from an unexpected source: a small town in Spain.

MEGHAN MARKLE’S REBRAND

The town of Porreres, located in Mallorca, claims that Markle’s logo bears a striking resemblance to its coat of arms, according to GB News.

The emblem features a palm tree flanked by two birds, much like Markle’s design. It also includes a palm tree and two hummingbirds.

Xisca Mora, the mayor of Porreres, expressed her disbelief upon discovering the similarities.

“We’re still a bit shocked; at first, we thought it was fake news,” she said. It highlighted the unexpected attention the town is receiving due to the controversy.

BRANDING AND PLAGIARISM CLAIMS

While Mora acknowledges that the designs are not identical in every detail, she insists that the resemblance is undeniable.

“The similarities are nearly identical,” she commented.

However, despite her strong feelings about the issue, Mora admitted that Porreres lacks the financial resources to pursue legal action against Markle, according to Campaign Live.

“Reporting plagiarism is complicated and expensive,” she explained. “A small town hall like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown.”

AMERICAN RIVIERA ORCHARD

Markle announced her brand’s rebranding from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever on 18 February, via an Instagram video.

She explained that the name change was prompted by trademark issues with her previous brand, according to Brigada News.

The new logo reflects personal significance for Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, incorporating elements that resonate with their life in California.

A source close to the couple mentioned that the palm tree represents their home in Santa Barbara and that hummingbirds hold special meaning for Harry.

MEGHAN MARKLE AND CULTURAL APPROPRIATION CLAIMS

Despite these personal connections, critics have pointed out that Markle’s logo closely mirrors Porreres’ coat of arms. The coat of arms has been a significant symbol for the town since 1370.

Mora urged Markle to reconsider using the logo, stating, “We don’t like our cultural heritage being used this way.”

In addition to the Spanish controversy, Markle’s brand name has also faced challenges from a small New York-based clothing company called ‘As Ever’.

The founder of this brand claims common law rights to the name and has stated he will not change it despite Markle’s rebranding efforts.

PROPERTY RIGHTS

He expressed his frustration over how a high-profile figure like Markle could overshadow his family-run business.

As this situation unfolds, it raises questions about intellectual property rights in branding.

Nick Ede, a branding expert, weighed in on the matter. “It looks copied rather than being a completely new brand identity.”

He warned that this could lead to further complications for Markle’s team.

NETFLIX SHOW

This controversy comes at an interesting time for Markle as she prepares for the launch of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. The show has faced delays due to Southern California wildfires.

Meghan Markle’s rebranding efforts have ignited significant debate over originality and respect for cultural symbols.

While she aims to establish her new lifestyle brand with personal significance, it appears that navigating these waters will require careful consideration and perhaps even a change in direction.

DO YOU THINK MEGHAN MARKLE SHOULD CHANGE HER LOGO IN LIGHT OF THE PLAGIARISM CLAIMS?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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