Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has officially stepped away from her Archetypes podcast venture after a 17-month struggle to safeguard her brand ended in disappointment.
The recent development saw Markle retracting a trademark application associated with her podcast, following Spotify’s decision not to renew the show for a second season.
This turn of events marks a significant setback for the former actress in her efforts to sustain the podcast that aimed to challenge stereotypes faced by women.
The unraveling of Markle’s podcast endeavor commenced earlier this year when Spotify terminated its lucrative deal with Archul, the parent company behind Archetypes.
In a joint statement, Archul and the music streaming platform announced their amicable separation, hinting at possible content-related issues that led to the dissolution of their partnership.
Speculations arose suggesting that the podcast failed to meet expectations, prompting Spotify to pull the plug on future collaborations.
Initially, Archul sought to secure the rights to the Archetypes name through a trademark application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The application encompassed various aspects related to the podcast, including downloadable audio recordings and cultural portrayals of women.
However, complications arose when the USPTO rejected the initial filing, citing potential confusion with an existing trademark held by another American entity named Project Miracle IP Holdings.
Despite facing setbacks in the trademark registration process, Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, persisted in their pursuit to salvage the podcast’s legacy.
Their legal representative, Madjuri Witter-Norman from Wilkie, Farr, and Gallagher in Los Angeles, resubmitted the application, extending the timeline for finalizing the trademark until September.
This prolonged legal battle highlights the couple’s determination to protect their intellectual property rights amid mounting challenges.
Archetypes, which aired a total of 12 episodes featuring insightful conversations with prominent personalities, initially garnered significant attention and topped global podcast rankings.
However, the podcast’s popularity gradually waned, leading to a decline in listenership and ultimately its discontinuation.
Despite this setback, Prince Harry and Meghan retain other lucrative ventures, such as a substantial book deal with Netflix and Penguin Random House.
Looking ahead, Meghan Markle appears to be exploring new avenues to engage with her audience, potentially reviving her Instagram presence under the username “Meghan.”
As the Duchess navigates the aftermath of the Archetypes podcast saga, her resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity underscore her commitment to leveraging her platform for meaningful storytelling and advocacy.