The World of Royalties
Harry and Meghan,
Issue 1549
A DOUBLE celebration in Santa Barbara this week as Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor is closely followed into the world by The Bench, the first children’s book by the author formally known as “Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex”.
“Sources close to” the duchess have let selected media outlets know the book is intended as the first of many for both children and adults – and should Meg run short of ideas, the royal couple are cannily soliciting them via their website, Archewell.com.
“How have you – or someone you know – actioned compassion in your community?” it asks in characteristically tooth-rotting style on its “Stories” page, inviting visitors to “share your story for a chance to be featured”.
Anyone taking up the invitation will find themselves treated less compassionately than Penguin Random House does its latest celebrity author. The Archewell terms and conditions make it clear that anyone sharing a story signs over “an irrevocable, royalty free, fully paid up, in perpetuity, worldwide, assignable licence to publish, broadcast, and use, in any media now known or hereafter developed” not merely to the Sussexes’ charitable foundation, but also to their limited liability company Archewell LLC, Archewell Productions (through which the couple hold their multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix) and Archewell Audio (through which they have a similar deal with podcast giant Spotify).
Sole property
Lest there be any doubt, the non-negotiable contract specifies film, video and publication among the many uses the royal couple can make of people’s material. “If any Archewell Party elects to use the submission for any purpose, all rights under copyright or other intellectual property rights… relating to your Submissions shall be the sole property of Archewell,” the T&Cs continue. “You shall not be entitled to any credit, consideration, notice or payments of any kind.”
Not that this will necessarily be the end of your involvement. “You further agree that if Archewell or the Archewell Parties elect to use your Submissions, you will execute any documents requested regarding the usage. If you violate any of the representations or warranties you have made and as a result a use by Archewell and/or the Archewell Parties of the Submissions causes them to be liable to any third party, you agree to indemnify Archewell and/or the Archewell Parties and their agents, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, representative and all related parties from and against any and all damages, costs, judgments and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) which it incurs as a result of its use of the Submissions.”
LA law
Which raises the interesting prospect of the sixth-in-line to the throne and his wife and their billion-dollar production partners not just exploiting their fans, but also passing on any bills from LA lawyers that come in as a result. What could be more compassionate than that?