Meghan Markle Banned From Selling Clothes Under Brand’s Name

Meghan Markle has been barred from selling clothing under her new As Ever brand after it was revealed that a Chinese fashion firm had already been using the name.

A New York-based fashion designer had previously raised the alarm after the Duchess unveiled the new name, insisting that he won’t change his name and is “exploring all possibilities.”

Amid Meghan Markle’s diverse creative efforts, “Suits” creator Aaron Korsh extended an open invitation to reprise her role in the hit legal series.

Meghan’s business venture has suffered a massive blow over trademark issues.

The Duchess of Sussex recently announced that she was changing her brand name from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever, but it turns out that a Chinese clothing company had already been using it since.

In her application at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in October 2022, Meghan’s attorney filed to sell aprons and other clothing items under the As Ever name.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the USPTO later issued a 145-page “partial rejection” of her application because of its striking similarity to Chinese “fast fashion” brand ASEVER.

“The marks are identical in sound and virtually identical in appearance and are thus confusingly similar for the purposes of determining likelihood of confusion,” USPTO’s response to Meghan’s bid read.

“Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion,” the document added.

Meghan secured rights to use As Ever after her lawyers filed a revised application in January 2024, removing any mention of clothing.

The trademark issue over her clothing line’s name raises doubt about whether they conducted extensive research into the trademark status of the name.

According to the news outlet, a Los Angeles trademark lawyer said the former “Suits” actress “risks being sued” if she proceeds with selling clothing under the As Ever brand name.

Meanwhile, her As Ever products will be sold in conjunction with Netflix, which will launch her new lifestyle show “With Love, Meghan” on March 4.

They will be available for purchase at the streaming giant’s stand-alone stores in Dallas and Philadelphia, as well as online through Netflix’s shopping site and her own website.

A New York-based clothing brand with the same name has also spoken up after the announcement of Meghan’s brand makeover.

The company’s founder, Mark Kolski, took to Instagram at the time to address the issue.

“Wow and hello,” Kolski wrote in an Instagram statement. “I want to say thank you to all the old friends who know and love our small family brand As Ever and also say hi to all those who have just become aware we exist.”

“In the last 36 hours there has been an outpouring of support and concern regarding recent events around our namesake brand,” the statement continued. “We are aware. We are not affiliated.”

Kolski pointed out that although he launched his business in 2017, the project had been down under since 2015, adding that they operate out of New York and New Jersey.

“We are grateful for all the customers coast to coast and worldwide that have supported our venture. We will continue As Ever,” the statement concluded.

In an interview with The Sun, Kolski revealed that his brand will not be changing its name from As Ever, despite Meghan picking up the new moniker for her lifestyle venture.

While noting that he feels powerless to act against Meghan, the designer said he is “exploring all possibilities” to ensure he comes out on top.

“I’m a very small business, it’s a family-run operation. I’m essentially a one-man band,” Kolski claimed. “This new venture has the power and money of Netflix behind it.”

“Even if I wanted to do something I don’t think I have the behemoth of lawyers and money that are behind this,” he added.

Meanwhile, Meghan’s acting chops could potentially come into use again as she has received an “open invitation” to reprise her role in “Suits.”

Meghan played lawyer Rachel Zane on the hit legal series from 2011 to 2018 before leaving to marry Prince Harry and move to England.

Speaking to People Magazine at the premiere of the show’s spinoff, “Suits LA” on Thursday, the show’s creator, Aaron Korsh, shared that the mother-of-two could return to the show anytime and “under any circumstances.”

“We have thought about whether it be Meghan or any of the other cast members coming on and playing themselves as an actor,” Korsh told the news outlet. “I think, for me, that’s a little … my brain blows up at the thought of that. Obviously, if Meghan wants to come back under any circumstances, Meghan can come back.”

“Of course [she can come back]. Always,” Korsh added. “But I think, realistically, it would be too much of an explosion of the fourth wall to do that.”