The trademark registration process for Operation Sindoor, the codename used for India’s military strikes in Pakistan, has seen an unusual rush of applications. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), along with four other applicants, sought to register the term on 7 May. However, Reliance later withdrew its application, claiming that a junior employee filed it without proper authorisation.
Reliance Withdraws Application
RIL was the first company to file for trademark registration under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which covers entertainment and cultural activities. The company submitted the application at 10:42 am by Jio Studios, a subsidiary of Reliance. The application covered various uses, including the production and distribution of audio, video, and still images, publishing services, and organising entertainment events.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Reliance clarified that the application had been filed “inadvertently” by a junior employee. The company also confirmed that it had no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor. The phrase has become a symbol of national pride, linked to the Indian Army’s operations against terrorism.
Reliance stated, “Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation.” The company added that it fully supports the Indian government and armed forces and is proud of the operation’s success.
Other Applicants Follow Suit
Following Reliance’s filing, three additional applicants submitted their applications for the trademark on the same day. The second application arrived at 11:25 am from Mumbai-based industrialist Mukesh Chetram Agrawal. He sought the trademark for both the wordmark and an associated image, covering a range of entertainment services such as musical performances, exhibitions, and the production and distribution of television programmes and radio content.
Agrawal’s advocate, Ramchandra Mandhane filed his application. Mandhane noted that this was Agrawal’s first attempt at filing a trademark under his personal name. However, he could not clarify whether Agrawal intended to use the trademark for a film or another commercial project.
The third application came at 12:16 pm from Retired Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh, a former Air Force officer from Jammu and Kashmir. Oberh sought the trademark for Operation Sindoor in relation to entertainment, film production, and cultural activities.
The fourth application arrived at 6:27 pm from Delhi-based advocate Alok Kumar Kothari. Kothari explained that he filed the application after considering the potential commercial use of the term for a film or documentary. He stated that his primary aim was to ensure that any profits from such a project would benefit the widows of paramilitary forces and war veterans. Kothari clarified that he did not intend to profit personally from the trademark.
Trademark Law and the Issue of Public Interest
Under Indian trademark law, the first person to file for trademark registration typically gains the right to use the term commercially. Section 11 of the Trademark Act grants trademark rights based on first use or first filing. However, the law restricts trademarks that could be considered offensive, misleading, or contrary to public policy.
This issue becomes especially relevant when terms like Operation Sindoor are closely linked to national security and military operations. Some experts have raised concerns about the ethical implications of trademarking phrases associated with national pride or public sentiment.
The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks may evaluate public interest when considering registration, even though trademarking such terms is not automatically excluded. This evaluation could lead to objections or rejections if the term exploits public sentiment or misleads consumers.
Reliance’s Statement and Public Sentiment
Reliance’s withdrawal of its trademark application follows public scrutiny and media coverage. The company’s statement emphasised that Operation Sindoor represents a symbol of the country’s bravery and resilience. Given its national significance, Reliance acknowledged that commercialising the term would be inappropriate.
“Reliance Industries has no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor, a phrase that has now become part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery,” the company stated.
Reliance’s swift response to the backlash reflects the sensitive nature of the trademark dispute. The term Operation Sindoor has strong associations with India’s military efforts against terrorism, particularly after the Pakistan-sponsored attack in Pahalgam. This connection has transformed it into a powerful symbol of national defence and pride.
Future Implications for Trademarking Public Terms
The surge in trademark applications highlights a growing trend of filing for terms linked to public events and national sentiment. This trend raises questions about balancing intellectual property rights and the ethical use of national symbols for commercial purposes.
As Operation Sindoor represents the Indian military’s fight against terrorism, public and legal scrutiny will shape future cases. Reliance’s withdrawal may set a precedent for others seeking to register public terms, especially those of national significance.
The incident highlights complications when intellectual property intersects with national identity and sentiment. The outcome may influence future discussions on the commercial use of public terms in India.
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