Oprah Winfrey files trademark applications

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey appears poised to launch new namesake brands to sell organic produce, prepared foods and beauty products derived from her Upcountry farm.

Winfrey recently filed several applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for "Oprah's Organics" to trademark catering services, organic beverages, salad dressings, frozen vegetables, soups, snack dips and sauces under the name.

The trademark also would cover bar soaps, bath gels, massage oils, lotions, scrubs, lip balms, sunscreens, shampoos, hair gels and other beauty products, according to the Oct. 29 filing.

A trademark application also was filed for "Oprah's Harvest" to provide "food, beverages, agricultural and catering services" under the brand.

The listed applicant for "Oprah's Organics" is Oprah's Farm LLC, which earlier this year was registered to do business with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs using the Los Angeles business address for her cable network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

Spokespeople for OWN did not immediately return requests for comment Monday.

But "a rep for Winfrey" is quoted by the New York Post as saying: "The trademarks were filed for Oprah's farm on Maui to enable the farm to grow and distribute produce on Maui and throughout the Hawaiian Islands."

Winfrey in 2004 bought about 1,000 acres of Haleakala Ranch land in Upcountry, which includes an 11-room bed-and-breakfast on 17 acres in Kula. She also bought more than 200 acres of coastal land in Hana between 2002 and 2005.

Winfrey, 58, had a net worth of $2.7 billion as of September, according to Forbes.

* Nanea Kalani can be reached at nkalani@mauinews.com.