DIP orders explanation of July 22 Nene Royal trademark bid

Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has ordered the applicant behind a July 22, 2026 filing for “NENE ROYAL” to explain the application and provide evidence of permission to use the Thai singer’s name. The department stressed that submitting an application does not automatically grant trademark rights.

The dispute concerns the name and logo associated with Rattikarn Amloy, known professionally as Nene Royal, who gained recognition through America’s Got Talent in 2026.

The NENE ROYAL applicant, identified in reports as a Chiang Mai woman who owns a Thai herbal products company, has described the filing as a gift intended to help the singer build her own business.

Registrar checks permission to use Nene Royal’s name

DIP director-general Jittima Srithaporn said the NENE ROYAL review would examine the origin of the proposed trademark, the applicant’s relationship with the singer and evidence of permission to use the name.

The NENE ROYAL application was submitted electronically and remains at an early stage of examination, the DIP said. Approval depends on meeting the requirements of trademark law.

Jittima said protecting the names of artists, entertainers and other public figures was important to prevent consumers from mistakenly believing that products belonged to, or were connected with, those individuals.

Applications to register a celebrity’s name without permission could be rejected if the circumstances indicated false claims to rights or bad-faith exploitation of another person’s reputation, Jittima explained.

Under the Trademark Act 1991, as amended, the registrar may require applicants to explain the facts or provide additional documents, the DIP said. The department pledged strict, fair and transparent examination to prevent improper exploitation of people’s names and maintain confidence in Thailand’s registration system.

Nene Royal filing covers printed T-shirts

Checks of DIP records showed that the Chiang Mai woman’s NENE ROYAL application was filed on July 22 for goods described as “printed T-shirts”. The applicant was reported to be the owner of a herbal products company in Chiang Mai.

Records on the NENE ROYAL application displayed July 21, 2036, as an expiry date. That date does not establish that registration has been approved, given the DIP’s statement that the application remains pending.

Applicant describes Nene Royal filing as a gift

The NENE ROYAL applicant, who calls herself “Aunt Nu”, described the filing in a September 28, 2026 social-media post as a gift to mark the singer’s growth in Thailand and internationally.

“Aunt Nu (cheekily) would like to give Nene this trademark application so she can follow her dream and build her own business under the NENE ROYAL brand as successfully as possible,” the applicant wrote.

The NENE ROYAL applicant shared the post again on October 17, 2026, saying she wanted the rights to belong directly to Rattikarn Amloy’s family. The woman also claimed that Jon Elron agreed that the rights should belong directly to Nene.

Nene’s representatives reportedly prepare legal action

The NENE ROYAL applicant’s explanation drew criticism on social media amid reports that the singer’s family had neither known about the filing nor authorised the woman to act on its behalf. Online critics questioned the appropriateness of the application and warned that it could create problems for Nene rather than help her.

Nene and her representative company have reportedly already submitted applications for the NENE ROYAL name in Thailand and the United States and are preparing legal action to protect her rights. The outcome of the applications remains unresolved.