Nene Royal, 16, conquers America’s Got Talent, meets Thailand’s King and rocks with Avenged Sevenfold. But a Chiang Mai woman filed for her stage name first. Thai officials investigate as South Korean clothing rights also complicate her success. Both cases are open.
Thailand’s 16-year-old rock sensation Nene Royal faces a trademark battle weeks after winning America’s Got Talent and $1 million. A Chiang Mai woman applied to register her stage name for clothing 51 days before the singer’s American management company. Now, Department of Intellectual Property chief Jittima Srithaporn has ordered an investigation. The woman insists the trademark was intended as a gift. Meanwhile, a South Korean registration adds another obstacle. The row comes as the Phuket teenager enjoys extraordinary fame, meeting King Maha Vajiralongkorn, performing with Avenged Sevenfold and entertaining world financial leaders in Bangkok. However, ownership of her lucrative stage name remains unresolved, threatening complications over the new star’s merchandise and international licencing rights.
Thailand’s teenage rock sensation Nene Royal faces a growing trademark dispute after a Chiang Mai woman applied to register her stage name. The application preceded filings by the singer’s own management company, prompting an investigation by Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property.
Meanwhile, the 16-year-old has become an international star after winning America’s Got Talent and its headline $1 million prize. She has since received an audience with King Maha Vajiralongkorn, performed alongside Avenged Sevenfold and entertained world financial leaders in Bangkok.
However, her expanding commercial success has exposed competing claims over her name. Trademark records also reveal an existing clothing registration in South Korea. The dispute now centres on commercial ownership, international merchandise rights and the protection of her increasingly valuable entertainment brand.
Thai intellectual property officials examine Nene Royal trademark claim filed by Chiang Mai woman
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property confirmed on Saturday, October 17, that it was examining the NENE ROYAL trademark application. Director-General Jittima Srithaporn said the registrar had already demanded an explanation and supporting documents from the applicant.
Crucially, the department stressed that filing an application does not automatically establish ownership or exclusive commercial rights. The intervention follows growing public attention surrounding the teenage singer’s name.
The controversy began on July 22, 2026, when a woman associated with a Chiang Mai herbal-products business filed electronically. She sought to register NENE ROYAL for printed T-shirts under Thailand’s clothing trademark category.
The application carries reference number 260138519. However, the trademark has not been approved, and the woman has acquired no registered rights through that application.
The applicant subsequently identified herself publicly as Auntie Nu. In a Facebook post dated September 28, she described the application as a gift for Nene and her family. She maintained that her intention was to help the singer establish a business under her own name.
Nevertheless, questions emerged over whether she had obtained permission from the performer or her representatives. The woman reportedly acknowledged that she had never met Nene.
Florida management company filed for Nene Royal name 51 days after Chiang Mai trademark applicant
More significantly, the application was submitted before the singer’s management company sought Thai protection. Black Lotus Global LLC, a Florida company associated with Nene’s international career, filed its applications on September 11.
That was 51 days after the Chiang Mai woman acted. Consequently, the two parties now have applications involving the same stage name and overlapping commercial interests. The earlier filing has become central to the legal examination.
On Saturday, Department of Intellectual Property Director-General Jittima Srithaporn confirmed that officials were investigating the circumstances. The department will examine the proposed trademark’s origins and the applicant’s relationship with the singer.
In addition, officials will consider whether permission was obtained to use Nene’s stage name. The registrar has already ordered the applicant to explain the circumstances and submit relevant evidence.
The examination is being conducted under Thailand’s Trademark Act B.E. 2534 (1991) and subsequent amendments. Jittima emphasised that applications involving celebrities, artists and other public figures require careful consideration.
Unauthorised registrations could mislead consumers about whether merchandise was officially associated with a recognised performer. Furthermore, applications involving misrepresentation or dishonest exploitation of another person’s reputation could be refused.
No trademark rights granted as Phuket teenager rises from market performances to American television
Nevertheless, the department has made no finding of wrongdoing against the Chiang Mai woman. Her stated intention to help Nene remains part of the circumstances under examination. Equally, no official decision has granted her the trademark. The immediate question is whether the application satisfies Thai law and qualifies for registration.
The commercial stakes are considerable because the application concerns clothing bearing the singer’s stage name. A successful registration could establish exclusive rights over specified goods, subject to the law’s limitations.
However, the application itself provides no completed registration. Any future rights would depend on the registrar’s decision and possible subsequent challenges.
The controversy has emerged during an extraordinary period for the young Phuket musician. Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn “Praew” Amloy, was born in 2010. At 16, she has become one of Thailand’s most internationally recognised new entertainers. Her career has taken her from performances at Phuket markets to victory on a major American television programme.
Nene began playing guitar at approximately seven years old. Much of her early musical development came through online instruction, regular practice and live performances. Subsequently, she appeared at Phuket’s Naka Weekend Market, performed with local bands and entered Thai music competitions. Those appearances established her career before international audiences discovered her.
American manager helps Nene Royal reach America’s Got Talent and win its $1 million headline prize
In 2023, American supporter and manager Jon Elron reportedly discovered Nene performing at the Phuket market. He subsequently helped develop her international career. Reports also associate him with Black Lotus Global LLC, the company now seeking trademark protection. Its involvement has become important because the disputed Thai application preceded the company’s own filings.
Nene’s breakthrough came through America’s Got Talent, the American television competition. Her audition aired on July 7, 2026, featuring Zombie, the international hit by Irish rock group The Cranberries.
The performance secured four positive votes from the judges. Notably, it introduced American audiences to her powerful rock vocals and accomplished electric guitar playing.
She subsequently performed Hysteria by British rock group Muse during the judges’ callbacks. Her progress continued into the quarterfinals, where she performed Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun. That performance earned the Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B. As a result, Nene advanced further in the competition and attracted additional international attention.
For the final, she performed Seven Nation Army, the hit by American rock duo The White Stripes. Once again, she combined lead vocals with electric guitar. On September 23, Nene was announced as the winner of America’s Got Talent Season 21. She became the first Thai national to win the competition, securing its headline $1 million prize.
America’s Got Talent victory brings Nene Royal international recognition and a royal audience
The prize was equivalent to approximately ฿32.7 million at the exchange rate cited by Thailand’s government. However, the headline amount does not necessarily represent an immediate cash payment.
The precise payment arrangements and tax consequences require separate confirmation. Nevertheless, her victory brought major international recognition and created new commercial opportunities.
Beyond the prize, the television victory established Nene before a substantial American audience. It also opened opportunities involving concerts, recording agreements, music streaming, endorsements and merchandise.
Consequently, the NENE ROYAL stage name acquired growing commercial significance. Trademark protection has therefore become an important issue for her representatives.
Nene returned to Thailand amid considerable attention following her American victory. On October 9, she and her family received an audience with King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida. The meeting took place at 5.09 pm at the Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Bangkok’s Dusit Palace. It came just over two weeks after her American triumph.
Nene Royal meets the King, performs with Avenged Sevenfold and entertains IMF–World Bank delegates
During the audience, Nene presented the certificate recognising her America’s Got Talent victory to His Majesty. The King subsequently returned the certificate for her to preserve as a family keepsake. Reports also described His Majesty praising her musical performance and encouraging her to maintain her skills. The audience marked another significant event in her rapidly developing career.
In parallel, Nene’s international musical activities continued. She appeared alongside American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold during a performance in Singapore. She opened for the group before joining its members on stage. Together, they performed Bat Country and Unholy Confessions, two songs associated with the American band.
The Singapore appearance brought her into direct contact with guitarist Synyster Gates, one of her musical idols. Moreover, it demonstrated that her international career was extending beyond television competitions. She was now performing alongside established American rock musicians before concert audiences.
Another major engagement followed on Wednesday, October 14, when Nene performed at Government House in Bangkok. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul invited her to entertain guests attending the IMF–World Bank annual meetings. The international gathering brought representatives from 191 countries to Thailand. Approximately 400 financial leaders and guests attended the Government House event at the Santi Maitri Building.
Bangkok show highlights Nene Royal’s global profile as international trademark dispute develops
Nene performed Zombie and Som Sarn, a Thai rock song associated with the band Loso. Meanwhile, the entertainment programme also featured traditional Thai performances and orchestral music. Culture Minister Sabida Thaised presented Nene with an award recognising her international musical achievement. The event placed the teenage performer before prominent international financial figures visiting Thailand.
Within three weeks of winning America’s Got Talent, Nene had received royal recognition and performed for world financial leaders. She had also appeared alongside an internationally established heavy metal band. However, her expanding reputation coincided with growing questions over the legal protection of her stage name.
A detailed examination of trademark records by Bangkok intellectual property lawyer Parin Kienthong was published on September 27. The review identified applications involving NENE ROYAL in Thailand, America and South Korea. Crucially, it established that the Chiang Mai woman filed her Thai application before the singer’s commercial representatives.
The Thai application was submitted on July 22, just 15 days after Nene’s American audition aired. Seven days later, on July 29, Black Lotus Global LLC applied to register NENE ROYAL in America. The application was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office under number 50019502. It covers three important categories of commercial activity.
American trademark filing covers music, clothing and entertainment as Thai application remains pending
Class 9 includes downloadable music and recordings. Class 25 covers clothing, including T-shirts and hats. Separately, Class 41 covers live entertainment, fan clubs and related services. The American application therefore extends beyond merchandise into several areas of Nene’s developing entertainment business. However, the publicly indexed filing was listed as pending rather than registered.
Black Lotus subsequently applied to register the shorter name NENE in America on August 6. On September 11, the company submitted Thai applications for both NENE ROYAL and NENE. Nevertheless, those Thai filings came 51 days after the Chiang Mai woman’s application. This difference in filing dates has become central to the dispute.
Thailand generally operates a first-to-file trademark system. Consequently, an earlier application may receive priority over a later application involving the same or similar goods. However, priority is not unconditional. Every application must satisfy statutory requirements, while earlier rights and other legal considerations can also become relevant.
In Nene’s case, evidence of earlier commercial use could prove important. She had performed publicly under her stage name before July 2026. Moreover, the September trademark review identified archived evidence showing NENE ROYAL branding on her official website before the disputed application.
Archived website branding may prove important as competing Thai trademark claims face examination
The review also identified similarities between lettering in the Chiang Mai application and branding previously displayed on Nene’s website. However, those observations have not been established as official findings by the registrar. Their significance would depend on examination of the underlying evidence and applicable law.
If the application proceeds to publication, interested parties may file an opposition within the applicable 60-day period. Such proceedings could examine competing rights, earlier commercial use and whether the application satisfies legal requirements.
Alternatively, the Chiang Mai woman could withdraw her application or arrange a lawful transfer. Any transfer would require appropriate documentation and compliance with Thai trademark law.
The international position is equally important. Trademark protection is generally territorial, meaning registration in one country does not automatically establish equivalent rights elsewhere. Consequently, an American trademark cannot simply override a conflicting Thai application. Likewise, Thai registration would not automatically protect Nene’s name in America, Britain, Singapore or South Korea.
Thai opposition procedures offer a route to challenge the application while national trademark laws differ
The American legal system also differs from Thailand’s approach. In the United States, qualifying commercial use can establish trademark rights before federal registration. Thailand places greater emphasis on filing dates, although earlier rights and statutory exceptions remain relevant. Furthermore, international conventions allow certain applicants to claim priority from earlier filings within specified periods.
However, Black Lotus submitted its American application after the Chiang Mai woman filed in Thailand. The American application therefore cannot simply displace the earlier Thai filing. Each application must be examined under the applicable legal framework. The competing claims do not represent a contradiction between American and Thai law.
More significantly, the September trademark review identified a separate potential obstacle in South Korea. An individual there applied to register NENE ROYAL for clothing in March 2024. The trademark was subsequently registered in September 2025. Its coverage includes shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and footwear.
Importantly, the Korean application predates Nene’s America’s Got Talent victory by more than two years. No connection between the Korean registrant and the Thai singer was established in the reviewed records. Consequently, the registration could complicate sales of NENE ROYAL-branded clothing in South Korea.
American trademark rules differ from Thailand as South Korean clothing rights add new complications
However, the actual legal consequences would depend on Korean trademark law and the registration’s precise scope. Any challenge, negotiated agreement or subsequent legal development could also affect the position. The Korean registration is therefore a separate issue from the pending Thai application.
There is also no confirmed evidence that Nene has secured comprehensive worldwide trademark protection. The September review reported no international registration under the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s Madrid System. It also identified no Singapore application at that time. Nevertheless, trademark databases can lag, and additional filings may have been submitted subsequently.
The Madrid System allows applicants to seek protection across multiple participating jurisdictions through an international procedure. However, it does not create one trademark automatically enforceable worldwide. Each designated jurisdiction determines whether protection can be granted under its own laws. Consequently, international performers frequently require separate protection across their principal commercial markets.
For Nene, those markets could include Thailand, America, Britain, the European Union, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. The importance of each would depend on her touring, recording and merchandise plans. Meanwhile, the Korean registration demonstrates that commercial rights can become complicated even before an artist achieves worldwide recognition.
South Korean clothing rights and missing worldwide protection complicate Nene Royal’s expansion
The financial implications extend well beyond her $1 million television prize. Concert performances and international touring could generate fees, while recordings and streaming could provide additional income. Publishing agreements, sponsorships and equipment endorsements offer further commercial possibilities. However, no confirmed valuation of Nene’s future earnings has been established.
Merchandise is particularly relevant because the disputed Thai application specifically concerns printed T-shirts. Official NENE ROYAL clothing could generate retail sales and licensing income. Moreover, merchandise agreements often depend on clear trademark rights and permission to use an artist’s name.
Consequently, competing claims could complicate negotiations with manufacturers, distributors and commercial partners. Trademark disputes can also increase legal expenses and delay agreements. However, there is no verified estimate of financial losses arising from the present application. Nor is there a confirmed public valuation of the NENE ROYAL trademark.
Another question concerns the ownership arrangements involving Black Lotus Global LLC. The American and later Thai applications identify the company as the applicant, rather than Nene personally. Such arrangements are common in entertainment businesses, where management companies frequently hold or administer intellectual property rights.
Merchandise and licensing rights raise financial stakes as Black Lotus Global seeks trademark protection
Nevertheless, the available records do not establish the complete contractual relationship between Black Lotus, Nene and her family. They also do not establish whether the company holds rights through an assignment, licence or another agreement. Nene is 16, making parental involvement and legal rules governing contracts with minors relevant.
However, there is no evidence in the reviewed material that her management company has acted improperly. The distinction between a performer’s public identity and corporate ownership of commercial rights remains legally important. It determines who may authorise merchandise, enter licensing agreements and enforce registered rights.
For now, the immediate decision rests with Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property. Director-General Jittima Srithaporn has confirmed that the registrar demanded an explanation from the Chiang Mai applicant. Officials will examine the proposed trademark’s origins, the applicant’s relationship with Nene and any permission obtained.
The registrar may subsequently allow the application to proceed, refuse it or request further information. Meanwhile, Black Lotus Global LLC has its own applications pending in Thailand and America. The Korean registration presents a separate issue involving clothing rights in that market.
Black Lotus ownership remains unclear as Thai registrar examines disputed clothing trademark application
As of Saturday, October 17, the Thai dispute remains unresolved. No ruling has awarded the Chiang Mai woman registered ownership of Nene Royal’s stage name. Equally, the singer’s representatives have not established comprehensive registered protection across international markets.
The controversy has emerged during an exceptional month for the teenage Phuket guitarist. Since September 23, she has won America’s Got Talent and received an audience with King Maha Vajiralongkorn. She has also performed alongside Avenged Sevenfold and entertained international financial leaders in Bangkok.
Nene Royal after conquering the showbiz world this week returns home to Phuket to her granny’s embrace
Nene Royal wins big for Thailand with blistering ‘Seven Nation Army’ final act. Nets $1 million prize
Yet the Thai trademark application now under investigation was submitted before those achievements. It was filed on July 22, only 15 days after her American television audition aired. Furthermore, it preceded her management company’s Thai applications by 51 days.
The Department of Intellectual Property must now determine whether that earlier application satisfies Thai law. Its decision will establish whether the Chiang Mai applicant can proceed towards registered clothing rights under the NENE ROYAL name. Meanwhile, the singer’s own applications remain subject to examination in Thailand and overseas.
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