Sussex Royal - The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

[hel]

Originally Posted by carlota

a strange move indeed, as i doubt many other royals trademarked their brands. in fact, i don't think the cambridges, the POW&DOC, etc have a brand as such. they just operate under their titles or the name of the 'operational HQ' they belong to (kensington palace, clarence house, etc). i wonder what their motivation is. maybe they plan to use the money they get from these sales to feed money to their charities and hence want to protect it?

It's not odd at all. Sussex Royal is the name of their foundation. If you check, you'll find that all of the associated foundations (and businesses) of other royals also have registered trademarks. The Prince's Trust has had more than two dozen of them, the Royal Foundation (of the Cambridges) has one, and Duchy Originals also owns several (including trademarking the word "Duchy").

I'm pretty sure this has been covered before, but trademark works on the basis that you lose your trademark if you don't protect it. If they don't register it and defend their trademark, anyone can start selling Sussex Royal shirts and hats and turning a profit from it.

There's absolutely nothing untoward happening here.

[Lyonnaise]

Yes, and the Cambridges trademarked The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on June 24, 2019 and the same great many number of things.

And the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry was trademarked for goods and services in July 2012.

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

SussexRoyal have trademarked a great many number of things ahead of the launch next year including printed matter, books, promotional material, sock, scarves, trousers and even bandanas. The trademarks were filed back in June 19.

https://twitter.com/rjmyers/status/1...738249216?s=20

[Zaira]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

SussexRoyal have trademarked a great many number of things ahead of the launch next year including printed matter, books, promotional material, sock, scarves, trousers and even bandanas. The trademarks were filed back in June 19.

https://twitter.com/rjmyers/status/1...738249216?s=20

Jumping off of the DM reporting this (old) news as new without any context. Including the fact that the Princes Trust, Cambridge foundation and many other orgs and charities do this to protect themselves from liability. The organization I work for does this too. Its standard across sectors, entities and organizations. In addition, merchandise is actually an important and sometimes good way to generate revenue for an org and has the added benefit of helping spread name recognition for a charity. Many not for profits, NGOS, charities have merchandise available. So it wouldn't even be that untoward if that was the plan.

This is irresponsible reporting...

I am really excited about the Sussex Royal launch...

[ACO]

Originally Posted by carlota

a strange move indeed, as i doubt many other royals trademarked their brands. in fact, i don't think the cambridges, the POW&DOC, etc have a brand as such. they just operate under their titles or the name of the 'operational HQ' they belong to (kensington palace, clarence house, etc). i wonder what their motivation is. maybe they plan to use the money they get from these sales to feed money to their charities and hence want to protect it?

You would be incorrect. The others have done it as well.

[soapstar]

A number of comments have been deleted. Let’s keep the discussion on the Sussex Foundation and not turn this into a discussion about the media.

[Tarlita]

I guess all the merchandise for sale at the Buckingham Palace shop would be trademarked as well. I don't see anything wrong with the Sussexes doing the same thing to protect their charity from unscrupulous shysters.

[Dman]

Can’t wait for the official launch of the Sussex Royal Foundation. Can’t wait for this couple to get back to work and see where they will take this foundation.

[loonytick]

Originally Posted by carlota

a strange move indeed, as i doubt many other royals trademarked their brands. in fact, i don't think the cambridges, the POW&DOC, etc have a brand as such. they just operate under their titles or the name of the 'operational HQ' they belong to (kensington palace, clarence house, etc). i wonder what their motivation is. maybe they plan to use the money they get from these sales to feed money to their charities and hence want to protect it?

Much of the Royal equivalent to “branding” is covered by UK law (specifically, the Trademark Act if 1994) without the need to apply for specific trademarks. Essentially, the Royal names, arms, seals, etc., including those of their traditional residences, are given similar protections by the law to those given to registered trademarks, along with the right to refuse trademark applications they consider to be too close to their own “brand.” So the offices going by the names of the residences in which they are housed (BP, KP, CH) don’t need a trademark. They’ve got the equivalent already.

But foundations and offices with names a step removed from what the law automatically grandfathered in, such as Royal Sussex, need to take the step of registering for a trademark to legally protect against their logos, names, etc. being appropriated by unaffiliated groups. A quick google search shows that The Prince’s Trust (begun by Charles) and the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Philip) have long held registered trademarks, and those are the organizations I would most assume to set the example for beyond-the-palace efforts of the BRF.

https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/media/royal_arms_blue_booklet20152.pdf

[Lumutqueen]

I believe now, correct me if I’m wrong because I’ve done some thread searching, that Endeavour Awards post should go in this thread?

As The Duke and Duchess will be attending on March 5th.

https://twitter.com/royanikkhah/stat...991792641?s=21

[Lady Daly]

From Royal Musings today:

Royal Musings: as expected ...no Sussex Royal Foundation

[JessRulz]

As per the most recent announcement, there no longer are plans for a Sussex Royal Foundation, thus this thread will be closed.