Royals move to protect Kate Middleton’s “brand”
Clothing retailers hoping to make a quick buck on the upcoming marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton by slapping the bride-to-be’s name on their outfits have had their hopes dashed.
Royal aides have vowed to invoke copyright laws in a bid to thwart the practice after agreeing that though the Middleton name was not a brand in its own right her looming membership of the Royal Family meant the Royals now “controlled” the use of her name.
This will prevent retailers from printing Kate’s full name on garments but will still allow a company to call a particular dress “the Kate dress”, should they so choose.
At present companies are barred from suggesting endorsement from any member of the Royal Family but these rules will be relaxed for official portraits and coats of arms to allow production of souvenirs.