In a swift commercial move following the Indian Army’s announcement of “Operation Sindoor,” Reliance Industries Limited became the first to file a trademark application for the phrase, just hours after the military operation was made public on May 7, reported Bar and Bench. From what is understood, Reliance Industries applied the phrase under Class 41, which covers entertainment, education, and media services. Over the next eight hours, three more applications followed, all aimed at turning a moment of national significance into a commercial brand.
What began as a military operation is now poised to become a high-value cultural asset. With filings from a retired Air Force officer, a Delhi-based lawyer, and a Mumbai resident, the phrase “Operation Sindoor” is already being positioned for deployment across films, web series, documentaries, or even live events and OTT content. Each application marks the term as “proposed to be used,” meaning that while no product has yet launched under the name, plans are clearly underway.
The name itself is rich with emotional weight, “sindoor” traditionally symbolising sacrifice, valour, and devotion in Indian culture. That resonance, combined with the patriotic context of a military action, makes it ripe for use in storytelling, whether cinematic or digital. It’s a branding opportunity wrapped in sentiment and symbolism, and the rush to secure it reflects how quickly contemporary India’s brand builders move to capitalise on public consciousness.
This isn’t the first time a term linked to national defence or major public events has been eyed for commercial use. But unlike official military or government entities, which typically don’t trademark operation names, private players see the potential in turning these phrases into recognisable, emotionally-charged brands. In the case of “Operation Sindoor,” the aim appears to be building an IP foundation for future media projects that can ride the wave of immediate public interest and long-term patriotic appeal.
Trademarking a term like this, however, is not without legal complexity. While Indian law doesn’t bar such filings outright, the Trade Marks Registry can reject marks that mislead the public, falsely suggest government affiliation, or are deemed offensive. But unless the government formally objects, such names often remain fair game, at least until opposition proceedings begin.
For now, “Operation Sindoor” has swiftly evolved from a military codename to a piece of intellectual property with brand potential. Whether it becomes a feature film, a docu-series, or a broader media franchise remains to be seen, but its entry into the trademark system signals one thing clearly: the race to turn sentiment into storytelling is already underway.