Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who are seeking to trademark their Sussex Royal brand faced delay after an Australian doctor blocked their application by filing an opposition against it.
Dr. Benjamin Worcester, 34, who was named on forms objecting to the Duke and Duchess’ Sussex Royal trademark application has now claimed an imposter lodged the bid to block the trademark.
Prince Harry and Markle since stepping down as senior royals have been stripped of their HRH titles but were allowed to keep the Duke and Duchess of Sussex title. The couple are keen to use the name to launch their foundation and make money from branded goods including clothing, stationery, books and social-care services.
Markle and Prince Harry also made a request to register “Sussex Royal the Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex” along with the application to register Sussex Royal.
However, their request hit a stumbling block after Worcester, from Victoria, Australia, launched a legal opposition against their bid.
A formal “notice of threatened opposition” was registered, according to the government’s Intellectual Property Office.
According to The Sun, Worcester, who is believed to have worked as an NHS doctor from 2011 until 2013, said that he has a “personal” reason to lodge the objection against the proposals.
Following Worcester‘s opposition, the period of “opposition” has been extended from February 20 until at least March 20. The period of opposition is when anyone against the trademark can make their objections known before it can be used.
When asked for more details about his problem with the royals, Worcester refused to clarify, stating: “My reasoning is personal and not for public consumption.”
But in a bizarre twist, just hours later, the medic claimed an imposter had lodged the bid.
The application with the intellectual Property Office (IPO) could have meant the royal couple would face a legal battle over the trademark.
However, the IPO disclose that they have been informed the notice has been withdrawn, citing Worcester’s imposter claims.