Reliance withdraws trademark application for 'Operation Sindoor' title

Reliance Industries withdraws 'Operation Sindoor' trademark bid, says filing was unauthorised; calls the term a national symbol of bravery

Reliance Industries has clarified that it has no intention of trademarking the term “Operation Sindoor”, calling it an evocative symbol of Indian bravery that now belongs to the national consciousness.

 

In a statement, the company said, "Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation."

 

The company further said, "Reliance Industries and all its stakeholders are incredibly proud of Operation Sindoor, which came about in response to a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Operation Sindoor is the proud achievement of our brave Armed Forces in India's uncompromising fight against the evil of terrorism."

 

 

It was earlier reported that Reliance Industries, along with three other applicants, filed trademark applications under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which covers media, cultural, educational, and entertainment services.

 

Trademark rush: Four applicants in one day

 

Between 10:42 am and 6:27 pm on May 7, four separate trademark filings were submitted for 'Operation Sindoor'. Apart from Reliance, the applicants include Mumbai resident Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, retired Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh of the Indian Air Force, and Alok Kothari, a lawyer based in Delhi, Bar and Bench reported. 

 

  All four applications list the term as “proposed to be used”, indicating future commercial plans, the news report said.

 

Trademark Class 41: What it covers

 

All four applications were filed under Class 41 of the Nice Classification. This category includes:

 

>Education and training services

>Film and media production

>Live performances and events

>Digital content and publishing

>Cultural and sporting activities

 

Class 41 is frequently used by OTT platforms, production houses, broadcasters, and event organisers — suggesting the term might soon appear as a title for a movie, web series, or documentary.

 

No automatic protection for military operation names

 

In India, the names of military operations like 'Operation Sindoor' are not automatically safeguarded by the government. The Ministry of Defence generally does not register such terms or treat them as intellectual property. Without any specific legal protection, these names can be claimed by private individuals or companies through trademark filings, the report said.

 

Legal hurdles still apply

 

While the term is available for trademark registration, the Trade Marks Act, 1999 does empower the registry to reject applications on certain grounds. Under Sections 9(2) and 11, the registrar can deny a trademark that is misleading, implies false government association, or is offensive to public sentiment.

 

However, there is no blanket prohibition on registering such terms unless a formal objection is raised — either by the government or an affected party.

 

Being first doesn’t guarantee ownership

 

Indian trademark law does not automatically grant rights to the first applicant. While an early filing date is an important factor, the registrar also evaluates:

 

>Applicant’s intent to use the mark

>Risk of confusion with existing trademarks

>The distinctiveness and strength of the mark

>Any evidence presented in opposition proceedings

 

When multiple parties apply for identical or similar marks simultaneously, the registry may pause examination or publication and initiate opposition proceedings. In some instances, parties may opt for a coexistence agreement if mutually acceptable.     

 

Standard trademark registration process in India

 

The typical steps involved in registering a trademark in India are as follows:

 

1. Application filing

2. Examination by the Trade Marks Registry

3. Publication in the Trademarks Journal for a 4-month opposition window

4. Opposition proceedings (if raised by third parties)

5. Final registration if unopposed or if the applicant prevails in opposition