Sussex Royal Trade Marks - have they really been blocked?

There has been lots of hype in the media lately about the Sussex Royal Trade Marks and how they have been “blocked”. 

The Trade Marks SUSSEX ROYAL and SUSSEX ROYAL THE FOUNDATION OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX which stand in the name of Sussex Royal The Foundation Of The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex were both published for opposition purposes on 20 December 2019. The window to file opposition is two months, extendible by one month by filing a notice of threatened opposition.

The Duke and Duchesses’ UK Trade Marks have reportedly received numerous notices of “threatened opposition”. A notice of threatened opposition is a simple form bearing no official fee. Whilst such a notice should not be filed lightly there is no obligation to follow through with formal opposition proceedings, which do incur official fees.

It has already been reported in the press that at least one of these notices of threatened opposition has been filed by an imposter.  It remains to be seen whether any third party will file formal opposition proceedings. Harry and Megan will have to sit tight and wait and see.  Watch this space!