‘Operation Sindoor’ trademark applications filed in the US and the UK

Trademark applications for the phrase ‘Operation Sindoor’ have been filed in the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, covering a range of services including media, broadcasting, and entertainment. In India, at least 14 applications have been filed for the same mark across various classes.."Operation Sindoor" refers to a recent Indian cross-border military strike launched by India following the Pahalgam terror attack. The May 7 operation sparked nationwide attention, and the phrase, Operation Sindoor, quickly gained symbolic weight, with “sindoor” evoking traditional Indian notions of sacrifice and valour..In the United States, the mark “OPERATION SINDOOR” was filed on May 9, 2025, by Rohith Baharani, an individual based in New York. The mark has been filed as a service mark in International Class 041, which covers:“Providing a trademarked entertainment title for licensing or sale to production companies, streaming services, or distributors.”The application was filed on an “intent to use” (ITU) basis, meaning the applicant has not yet used the mark in commerce but intends to do so. It is currently awaiting examination by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) under U.S. Classes 100, 101, and 107, which relate to certification and service marks..Separately, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has recorded an application for the same mark on May 8, 2025, filed by Vikas Mahajan, a resident of Devon, England. This application spans Classes 35, 38, and 41, which include advertising, telecommunications, and education-related services..In India, as of mid-May 2025, 13 different individuals and entities have filed trademark applications for “Operation Sindoor.” The applications span a variety of sectors, including apparel, media content, and services..Notably, Indian conglomerate Reliance, which was the first to apply for the mark, withdrew its application the following day . The withdrawal came a day after it applied to register the mark for entertainment purposes under class 41..If registered in the UK or the US, the trademark owners would acquire exclusive rights within their respective jurisdictions for the specified classes. These rights include:Enforcement against unauthorised use,Commercial licensing, andInitiating infringement actions.However, rights acquired abroad are territorial in nature and do not extend to India unless a separate application is filed or an international registration is designated under the Madrid Protocol..India, the US, and the UK are all signatories to the Madrid Protocol, which enables trademark owners in one member country to seek protection in other member countries through a single international application.A party with a registration in the UK or the US may:Use the Madrid system to designate India for protection, andOppose Indian applications if their international registration is recognised during India’s examination process.Under Indian law, foreign applicants must show actual use or intent to use in India. Additionally, Section 11(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 permits protection of “well-known trademarks” even if they are not registered domestically..In India, military operation names like “Operation Sindoor” are not automatically protected as intellectual property by the government. The Ministry of Defence does not typically register or commercialize these names and they are not secured under any special statutory IP framework. As a result, unless the government expressly intervenes, such names remain open to trademark claims by private individuals or entities.However, the Trade Marks Act, 1999, empowers the registry to reject trademarks that are misleading, offensive or contrary to public policy.