In the wake of India’s military action against terrorist camps in Pakistan, the phrase “Operation Sindoor” swiftly captured public imagination, becoming a powerful symbol of national pride and military valor. On May 7, 2025, this sentiment spilled into the realm of intellectual property rights (IPR), as the Indian Trademark Office saw a flurry of applications to register the phrase as a trademark.
The Trademark Rush
Among the first to file was Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), whose subsidiary, Jio Studios, submitted an application under Trademark Class 41, which covers entertainment services, film production, media content, and cultural programming. Their application was officially submitted at 10:42 AM on the same day the term gained national attention.
Other applicants included a Delhi-based lawyer, a retired Indian Air Force officer, and a Mumbai resident—all attempting to stake a claim to the phrase for media-related purposes.
Reliance Withdraws
Interestingly, RIL withdrew its application the very next day, stating that the submission was made by a junior legal associate without appropriate internal approval. In an official statement, the company clarified it had no intention of trademarking a phrase so closely associated with national sentiment and emphasized its support for the Indian Armed Forces.
This public move reflects a responsible approach to ethical trademark registration—recognizing that not every term, even if legally available, is suitable for commercial ownership.
The Role of IPR Professionals
This incident brings to light a critical issue in the IPR ecosystem in India—the responsibility of trademark attorneys, IP consultants, and patent and trademark professionals in guiding clients through ethical and strategic branding decisions.
While many applicants may have seen an opportunity to monetize a trending phrase, they may not have considered the ethical implications of trademarking a term linked to a national security operation. This is where IPR experts must play a proactive role.
IP Guidance for Sensitive or Nationally Significant Terms
Professionals offering IP consultancy services must go beyond filing and approvals. They should educate clients about the cultural sensitivity, legal risks, and public backlash that can arise from registering emotionally charged phrases—even if the law doesn’t explicitly prohibit it.
This includes:
- Evaluating public interest concerns.
- Understanding corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- Assessing brand reputation risks.
- Avoiding the commercial exploitation of patriotic terms.
Legal Rights vs. Public Sentiment
While the Indian IP law may not ban the use of military or patriotic phrases outright, the ethical dimension of trademark law must not be overlooked. Trademark search tools, IP due diligence, and expert IP guidance are essential, but so is moral discretion.
By balancing IP strategy with social responsibility, IPR professionals help prevent misuse of phrases that hold deep cultural, emotional, or national value.
Ethical Trademarking is Smart Branding
The “Operation Sindoor” case stands as a reminder that not all trademarks are created equal—some carry weight far beyond the legal documents they’re filed on. For businesses and legal professionals alike, understanding the intersection of IP law, ethics, and public perception is key to long-term brand integrity and responsible innovation.