The Mirror examines the 2026 deadline, which could change everything for the conflicting family, as Brooklyn Beckham attempts to reshape himself beyond “Brand Beckham.”
As his recent bombshell statement made clear, Brooklyn Beckham is looking to establish himself as an individual in his own right, away from the glittering shadow of ‘ Brand Beckham’.
No matter how publicly you might display your dirty laundry, such breakaways aren’t always as straightforward as cutting ties and running. Even Brooklyn’s name cannot be regarded as his own, with mother Victoria Beckham claiming to be the sole proprietor of the trademark “Brooklyn Beckham.”
It looks as though this year could mark a significant turning point, however, with the 26-year-old’s bombshell Instagram story reportedly coming less than one year before this trademark expires.
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Documents seen by the Daily Mail reportedly show that in December 2016, the Spice Girl turned fashion mogul took out the trademark in her eldest son’s name. The deadline for expiration is said to be December 2026, after which point Brooklyn will be free to renew using his own lawyers.
Although this ownership may seem to fit into Brooklyn’s narrative of being “controlled” by his famous parents, those who are aware that their children are destined for a life in the public eye are aware of this.
Peter Vaughan, Associate Professor at Nottingham Law School, told the Mirror: “Where the parents are famous, and it is likely that their children will have their own high profile, following in their parents’ footsteps, then securing early trade mark protection for those children can make sense in allowing them to develop their own brand.
A registration creates a space for the growth of the name “Brooklyn.” It would potentially allow him to stop others from using the same or a similar name for the same or similar products as listed in the registration. Although Victoria Beckham is currently her owner, the name itself refers to her as his “parent and guardian.”
Registrations were also conducted for the three younger Beckham children, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, who were also referred to as being owned by mum Victoria in her capacity as a “parent and guardian.”
A BBC News from April 2017 noted that Victoria trademarked the names of her four children with intellectual property authorities in Britain and Europe to allow the release of branded products while protecting the Beckham name from use by other celebrities or businesses. Both she and football legend husband David Beckham had previously trademarked their names in 2002 and 2000, respectively.
Mr Vaughan remarked: “This is a family aware of the value of a brand and the methods available to protect it. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Brooklyn and Nicola seek to file their own trade marks to protect their names and branding opportunities, even if they also seek to gain control of the existing Brooklyn Beckham registration.
A trade mark registration like this could well prove to be the real gift that keeps on giving, despite not being the kind of thing that most teenagers would want. It may not even be as unusual as it first appears. As an example, it appears that there is a registration for “BLUE IVY CARTER.” Perhaps it’s just savvy future planning that famous parents are now looking to do for their children (seeing in the same way as applying for their passport or birth certificate, just another certificate to add to the list).
The value placed on such trademarks allegedly came to light shortly before his 2022 wedding to actress Nicola Peltz, with Brooklyn claiming that parents Victoria and David attempted to “bribe” him mere weeks before the ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida, with a “payday” being “affected” by his refusal to cooperate.
Brooklyn claimed in a jaw-dropping Instagram statement that “we had my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away my name, which would have affected my wife and our future children. They were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated. The payday was affected by my holdout, and they haven’t treated me similarly since.
Although it’s not known what Brooklyn means by payday, the Beckhams, whose fortune is estimated to be in the billions, are diligent about protecting their family’s hard-earned legacy, and experts warn that this counternarrative could cause the glossy “Brand Beckham” to suffer.
Now, speculation is rife as to what exactly Brooklyn will do with his separate identity once the trademark expires, with some sources claiming he could be set to follow in Prince Harry’s footsteps, with a tell-all book akin to the explosive 2023 bestseller, Spare.
Warning that the Instagram story could be just “the beginning” of the battle cry against Beckingham Palace, a source told the Mail: “This wasn’t a final cry for help. If people think it’s the end, it’s actually the beginning.” They added: “He’s always said he wasn’t interested. Maybe one day. Maybe in the future. But not now. This is the first time he’s seriously considered telling his side of the story to clear the air. He’s sick of others rewriting it for him.”
Much like Prince Harry, to whom he is often compared, Brooklyn’s name was known across the world from the day he was born, with the youngster quickly becoming a feature in his parents’ countless photoshoots and media appearances. It’s perhaps understandable that he, too, wants his voice to be heard, as an adult with his own opinions and perspectives. But while Brooklyn and Nicola, 31, may be looking to strike out on their own, Mayah Riaz, a PR to the stars, has predicted that the young couple will need more than a “victimhood” narrative to sustain their brand in the long term.
Brooklyn and Nicola can use this to establish their own brand, according to Ms Riaz in a statement to the Mirror. “But only if they change their minds quickly. Victimhood may open the door, but it doesn’t help a brand. To steal the throne, which I’m not sure is what they want, they’d need a clear identity that is not defined by attacking his parents. Otherwise, they continue to be the “anti-Beckhams,” which is not a strong position in the long run.
Whether they live in a palace or a semi-detached, many families have endured the pain of estrangement and vows made in anger, only for reconciliations to unfold once tempers cool. Is there a way to rekindle the relationship between the conflicting family members despite Brooklyn’s making it clear that he is currently opposed to the Beckhams?
On this note, the Mirror heard from Lucy Theobald, Specialist Family Lawyer and Director at The Family Law Company, who advises high-net-worth families. The legal expert reflected: “The very public fallout between Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and his parents has become more than celebrity gossip. It shines a harsh light on what happens when family life, wealth and brand collide, and how quickly private pain can turn into public spectacle.
When personal relationships start to deteriorate, celebrity families are subject to special pressures. For wealthy families, disputes are rarely just emotional, they are also reputational. Damage from a relationship breakdown can have a direct impact on a brand’s worth and the businesses it supports, making family conflicts emotionally and economically conflicted. Parents and children are frequently subjected to more severe pressure, which frequently leads to family legal representation regarding control, autonomy, and identity, issues that are increasingly intimate and played out in public.
Social media has accelerated family disputes significantly. Tensions that were once private are now being watched live, provoking discussion, and making judgments. Once shared online, narratives are difficult, if not impossible, to regain control of, and already fragile relationships can harden beyond repair.
Ms. Theobald continued, “In my opinion, reconciliation depends on space, humility, and time,” drawing from cases she has personally witnessed. None of these are provided by social media. Instead, it rewards reaction, encourages point-scoring and entrenches positions, often undermining attempts to resolve matters through mediation or other forms of dispute resolution.
When used early, mediation can be very effective in high-profile families where identity, emotion, and reputation are tightly woven. A skilled mediator assists each person in hearing what is actually being said, not what they believe is being said. By slowing conversations down and removing the audience, mediation can disrupt cycles of escalation and shift focus away from image management and back towards understanding. Families can identify shared interests and look for ways to advance relationships and respect one another.
A judge addressed children’s mothers directly in an unusual situation by writing them directly. While respecting their wishes, he reminded them they only have one mum and encouraged them to leave the door open for the future. No pressure was applied structurally. No court order or campaign can ever create enough breathing space for it. Whether a family is famous or not, forced reconciliation rarely heals. It more frequently causes the division to get wider.
Protecting the human relationships that underlie family becomes more important than just a brand. Control may protect an image in the short term. However, in the long run, a family is much more likely to be protected by respect, restraint, and quiet boundaries.
Do you have a story to share? Contact me at julia@gmail.com. banim@reachplc.com Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads
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Source: Mirror
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