The logo of Archewell, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's foundation, has drawn criticisms and claims of plagiarism following reports that it looks similar to an Austrian property firm.
Creative Talents Worldwide marketing expert Vanessa Liwanag contacted Daily Mail after she saw the similarities in the design between Archewell and Am Werdertor. She suggested that Harry and Meghan did not do their due diligenceto research a unique and creative brand for their new foundation.
The marketing expert said that researching is a standard procedure, especially for a global brand. Liwanag also told the news outlet that Am Werdertor's A & W logo was designed in 2018 after it clinched a Vienna project to develop luxury apartments. Harry and Meghan planned Archewell in 2020.
But Am Werdertor's chief executive Dmitry Pryanishniknov said he has no plans to contest Archewell's logo despite the very obvious similarities. He said that there was no offense committed since the couple's foundation is different from Am Werdertor's business.
Pryanishniknov, however, said that he is flattered by the imitation. Netizens on Twitter, on the other hand, said that Am Werdertor could win the lawsuit if they did pursue a case against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
This isn't the first time Archewell's branding has had controversy. In early March, Filipino small business owner Victor Martin Soriano claimed that he's embroiled in a legal case with Harry and Meghan over the trademark for the Archewell brand.
Soriano filed a trademark for Archewell Harvatera and Archewell Cosmetics in July 2020 for his locally made make-up fragrances and personal hygiene products. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, however, blocked his filing because they also filed for a trademark over the name "Archewell" in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries where they could have trademark jurisdiction.
The businessman said that his brand is not in any way tied to the couple's foundation. In a separate interview, Soriano said that the Philippines is not a British colony thus his trademark application is not bounded by English laws.
Soriano also said that has no intention to make money off Harry and Meghan. He vowed to fight this in court if he's being bullied by the couple to give up his right to the brand Archewell.
Harry and Meghan filed several trademarks as there have been attempts to infringe on their brand's name when they announced their switch from Sussex Royal Foundation to Archewell when they left their royal duties. Archewell is named after their son, Archie Harrison.
