Reliance Rushes to Trademark 'Operation Sindoor' for Entertainment Use, Later Withdraws Application

Just hours after the Indian Armed Forces announced their strike on Pakistan under the operation code-named Operation Sindoor, a race began to trademark the term for exclusive use. Among the early applicants were billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries.

According to the Ministry of Commerce's trademark search portal, Reliance filed for a word-type trademark under Class 41 on 7 May—the same day the military operation was announced.

Three other applications under the same class were filed by Mumbai resident Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, retired Indian Air Force Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh, and Delhi-based lawyer Alok Kothari.

A Class 41 trademark grants the holder exclusive rights to use the term in entertainment services. According to the application, Reliance wanted to use it for producing, presenting, and distributing audio, video, still and moving images, and data that include the trademark.

The trademark would also cover publishing services—both physical and electronic—as well as the organisation, production, and presentation of shows, competitions, games, concerts, exhibitions, and other events.

As of the morning of 8 May, the application status was marked as “Formalities Chk Pass,” indicating that the submitted details were correct and had cleared the initial review.

Later in a statement RIL said that Jio Studios has withdrawn its trademark application, "which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation."

"Reliance Industries has no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor, a phrase which is now a part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery," the company said.

A screenshot of Reliance’s application has since gone viral on social media.

Trademarks under Class 41 are commonly used by OTT platforms and production houses, suggesting Operation Sindoor may soon be seen as the title of a film or web series. Despite the military association, such names are not automatically protected in India. The Ministry of Defence does not treat them as intellectual property, allowing private parties to register them unless a formal objection is raised.

Under India’s Trade Marks Act, applications can be rejected if they are misleading, falsely suggest government association, or offend public sentiment—but there is no blanket ban. Unless challenged, the process proceeds.

Once filed, a trademark application is checked for prior similar marks. If no concerns arise—or are satisfactorily resolved—it is published in the government’s weekly trademark journal. The public then has four months to raise objections. If none are received, the trademark is formally registered.

According to Mint, multiple titles referencing the 2019 Pulwama attack were registered in its aftermath. Similarly, Parle trademarked “20-20 Cookies” to coincide with the launch of the T20 cricket format. A legal expert told the publication that the government rarely objects to such trademarks unless they are deemed obscene or religiously provocative.