Meghan Markle has reportedly attempted to trademark a nearly
500-year-old English phrase. The Duchess of Sussex applied for trademark
protection for the word ‘archetype,’ which refers to a typical example of a
person or item.

The word was first used in the English language in the 1540s and
is derived from ancient Greek.

After declaring that the word would be the title of her
long-awaited Spotify podcast, the 40-year-old Duchess of Sussex applied for
trademark in March at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

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Following their departure from the royal family, Meghan and Harry
founded Archewell Audio. According to sources, the company applied to the US
Patent and Trademark Office last month for exclusive use of the word
‘archetype.’

The term would encompass a variety of entertainment services ‘in
the fields of cultural treatment of women and stereotypes facing women,’
according to the filed application. This will include TV shows, podcasts, CDs,
DVDs, and streaming services that use the word.

While it’s unknown whether Archewell Audio will be awarded
exclusive use of the term, Meghan could face a legal challenge from businesses
that use the word in their titles, such as Archetypes, a cosmetics and cleaning
goods company that has already registered a trademark.

In 2020, Meghan and Harry inked a deal with streaming behemoth
Spotify, reportedly for £18 million. In a trailer for the podcast due to be
released this summer, Meghan states that the aim of the series is to ‘dissect,
explore and subvert the labels that try to hold women back,’.

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Several brands have trademarked words that are associated with
their business. It is done because a registered trademark gives a brand the
legal right to sue if the word is used without authorization by another
organisation.

Trademarks can be more than just a single word. They can be used
to represent phrases, quotes, colours, symbols and other objects.

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