The name ‘Operation Sindoor’ has sparked a flurry of trademark applications with multiple entities vying for exclusive rights to use the term. Initially, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) along with other applicants sought to trademark the codename used for India’s strike on terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. However, RIL later withdrew its application and Jio Studios – a unit of Reliance Industries – claimed that the filing was an unauthorized move by a junior employee. The company emphasized that it had no plans to trademark ‘Operation Sindoor’. Their application filed under Class 41 was intended for entertainment purposes, covering production, presentation, and distribution of various multimedia formats.
In the days that followed, several individuals and organizations also submitted trademark applications for ‘Operation Sindoor’ each with different intentions. On May 7th, Mukesh Chetram Agrawal applied for both the title and an associated image under Class 41. The same day, retired Air Force officer Kamal Singh Oberh sought a trademark for the term, intending to use it for entertainment, film production, cultural activities and web series projects. Delhi-based advocate Alok Kumar Kothari submitted his own application, aiming to secure the title for educational, training, entertainment and sports-related purposes.
Mumbai-based producer Prabhleen Sandhu of Almighty Motion Pictures joined the race on May 7th, seeking a trademark primarily for entertainment use. The following day, May 8th – just one day after Operation Sindoor – two more applications surfaced. Jayaraj T filed for trademark rights under the name ‘Operation Sindoor – Sindoora Yuddham’, focusing on education, training, entertainment and cultural activities. Meanwhile, Surat-based ad filmmaker Uttam Jaju requested registration under Class 41, intending to use the term for entertainment-related events such as award ceremonies and gala evenings, as well as recognizing corporations and individuals for their charitable contributions.
This surge in trademark filings reflects the significance of ‘Operation Sindoor’ in public discourse as multiple stakeholders aim to shape its legacy through creative and cultural endeavors.
