In a recent development, Meghan Markle is embroiled in allegations of plagiarism concerning her never-aired Netflix series titled "Pearl."
According to Fox News, Mel Elliott, a British author, claims that "Pearl" closely mirrors her children's book series "Pearl Power," which predates Markle’s project by several years.
Mel Elliott brought the similarities to light in an interview with The Daily Mail, accusing Meghan Markle and her production team of copying the concept of her book series. Published seven years prior, Elliott's "Pearl Power" features themes of female empowerment and equality, similar to the proposed content of Markle's show.
Elliott’s legal team reached out to both Markle and Netflix in 2021, the same year the series was announced, highlighting apparent intellectual property infringements and issuing a formal warning of a potential "passing off" claim. Despite these serious allegations, neither Markle nor Netflix responded to the legal notices or Elliott’s outreach.
The lack of acknowledgment from either Netflix or Archewell Productions, co-founded by Markle, deepened Elliott’s frustrations. In her interview, Elliott expressed her disappointment, noting that as a fellow advocate for women's rights, she expected a different approach from Markle.
"Pearl was supposed to be a beacon of empowerment for young girls, much like my 'Pearl Power.' Yet, despite the glaring similarities, I received no reply, leaving my contributions unrecognized," Elliott commented on her interaction with the show's production team.
Moreover, aside from her dissatisfaction with how her concerns were handled, Elliott mentioned feelings of relief mixed with irritation following the cancellation of Markle's "Pearl" in May 2022. She speculated that her objections might have influenced the decision to drop the series, but remains uncertain.
This is not the first time Meghan Markle has faced accusations of copying other works. Her podcast "Confessions of a Female Founder" and a cooking show have also been scrutinized. Critics and listeners noted similarities to existing projects titled "Confessions of a CEO" and a cooking show by Pamela Anderson, respectively.
Additionally, the Duchess of Sussex has been accused of plagiarizing a historic coat of arms for her lifestyle brand’s logo. The coat of arms, belonging to the Spanish town of Porreres, bears a notable resemblance to Markle’s brand logo, added to the string of plagiarism disputes involving her projects.
When approached for comments on these allegations, representatives for Meghan Markle and Netflix refrained from responding, leaving the public and the media to speculate about the veracity of these claims and the legal and ethical positions of the parties involved.
While no legal action has been confirmed following Elliott’s accusations, the implications of such charges are significant, potentially impacting Markle’s personal brand and future projects.
Intellectual property rights and their enforcement play a critical role in creative industries, often leading to significant legal battles or out-of-court settlements.
Elliott’s plight highlights the challenges smaller creators face when their work appears to be mimicked by more prominent figures. "The arts and media world is fiercely competitive, and unfortunately, it is not uncommon for dominant players to overshadow the original creators of a concept," Elliott stated, reflecting on the broader implications of her experience.
As this story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Elliott's claims will be addressed by Meghan Markle and the companies involved. The outcome could set a precedent for similar cases in the future, emphasizing the need for transparent and fair practices in the handling of intellectual property disputes in the entertainment industry.