United Breweries secures sound mark registration for "Oo la la la la le o” Kingfisher jingle

United Breweries Limited on February 5 secured sound mark registration for the iconic “Oo la la la le o” jingle associated with Kingfisher beverages.

The Trade Marks Registry issued the certificate of registration for the sound mark with effect from January 31, 2025. The certificate was sealed on February 5, 2026 and confirmed that the registration is valid for ten years and renewable thereafter.

A sound mark is a non-traditional trademark that protects a distinctive sound capable of identifying the commercial source of goods or services, similar to how a word or logo functions as a trademark.

Under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, India recognises sound marks as registrable trademarks, provided they are capable of graphical representation and are distinctive.

In the present case, the mark was filed through a multiclass application under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act as an “Instrumental Melody (Sound Mark)”.

The company stated that the sound mark has been used since February 21, 1996 in relation to the goods covered by the application.

The registration covers goods in Classes 32 and 33 including:

Class 32: Beers, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral and aerated waters, fruit beverages and fruit juices, syrups and preparations for making non-alcoholic beverages.

Class 33: Alcoholic beverages (except beers) and alcoholic preparations for making beverages.

During examination, the Trade Marks Registry recorded that no identical or similar mark was found. The application was accepted and advertised under Section 20(1) of the Trade Marks Act before proceeding to registration.

India has granted registration to a limited number of well-known sound marks including:

• The Yahoo yodel;
• The ICICI Bank corporate jingle;
• The Nokia tune;
• The Airtel signature tune;
• The Britannia musical logo;
• The Reliance Jio sonic logo;

United Breweries was represented by LS Davar & Co

[See Registration Certificate]