Reliance moves to trademark 'Operation Sindoor'

In a swift move following the Indian military’s announcement of "Operation Sindoor," a cross-border mission, Reliance Industries Limited has initiated steps to trademark the evocative name, according to a report by Bar and Bench on Thursday. This filing marked the first among four entities eager to capitalize on the emotionally charged and potentially lucrative name.

On May 7, 2025, between 10:42 am and 6:27 pm, four trademark applications were submitted under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which pertains to education, entertainment, media, and cultural services. Besides Reliance, the applicants include Mumbai resident Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, retired Indian Air Force officer Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh, and Delhi-based lawyer Alok Kothari, as highlighted by Live Law. Each applicant indicated their intention to use "Operation Sindoor" for upcoming media or entertainment ventures.

"Operation Sindoor" has swiftly captured nationwide attention, with "sindoor," symbolizing sacrifice and valor, resonating deeply with cultural sentiments. The military operation’s name has thus become a sought-after asset for potential films, OTT series, or patriotic programming.

In India, names of military operations are not automatically guarded as intellectual property. The Ministry of Defence typically neither registers nor restricts commercial usage of such names, leaving them open to trademark filings. Although the Trade Marks Act, 1999 empowers the registry to reject trademarks deemed misleading, deceptive, or offensive, there is no inherent prohibition against registering names like "Operation Sindoor" unless challenged legally.

Trademark rights in India are not granted merely on a first-come, first-served basis, as the registrar considers factors like intent to use, public confusion risks, distinctiveness, and opposition claims. In instances where multiple similar applications are lodged in quick succession, examination may be delayed, and disputes can be settled through formal opposition or coexistence agreements.