It began with a strike. A quiet morning turned into headlines. Operation Sindoor - a secretive military move into Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The goal: destroy terror camps. The result: a stunning success. Pride surged. Patriotism flooded every corner of the country. Social media lit up with praise for the armed forces. India stood tall, united in respect.
But then, just as the nation was breathing in glory…Reliance filed a trademark for “Operation Sindoor.”
Yes - a trademark! Filed just a few hours after the strike. Filed under entertainment services. It was a legal move. But to many, it felt like something else. It felt like business wearing a soldier’s boots. The backlash was instant. People were shocked. The hashtag storms rolled in. Journalists questioned the intent. Politicians raised eyebrows. Netizens didn’t hold back.
“How can a company claim a military name?” “Is this patriotism or profiteering?” “Do our soldiers’ lives now come with copyrights?” The criticism was loud - and loud from all directions. Not just trolls or rivals. Veterans, citizens, influencers, and lawmakers joined the chorus. And it wasn’t about the paperwork. It wasn’t even just about Reliance. It was about the soul of a name. A name born out of blood, sacrifice, and duty. The public wasn’t asking for law. They were asking for respect. And Reliance, usually seen as bold and strategic, suddenly looked…miscalculated.
The filing that raised eyebrows
The application was real. And it wasn’t subtle. On May 7, 2025, Reliance Industries Limited filed a trademark for the term “Operation Sindoor.” It was filed under Application No. 6994264. The class? Class 41. That’s the class used for education, entertainment, and cultural services.
So what exactly did they want to protect? In simpler words - everything from movies to games to concerts. All tied to one name: Operation Sindoor.
It wasn’t just a placeholder. It was a broad, sweeping claim over the use of that phrase in almost all public-facing media. And here’s what stung - the timing. Filed right after the military strike. Filed before the Government could announce a documentary or tribute. Filed without any public statement, approval, or acknowledgment of the emotional weight behind the name. There was no journal number. No journal date yet. But the status read: Formalities Check Pass. Meaning the process had cleared early-stage review.
It wasn’t a rumor. It wasn’t media hype. It was a strategic corporate move. And people saw it as an attempt to own a piece of national pride.
The backpedal that came too late
Filing a trademark isn't illegal. Especially if the term isn’t already protected. Companies do it all the time. It's standard practice. But this was different. "Operation Sindoor" wasn't just a phrase. It symbolized a nation's grief and pride. A response to a terror attack that claimed 26 lives. A military operation that resonated deeply with the public.
Reliance's move to trademark this term under Class 41 - covering entertainment and cultural activities - was seen as tone-deaf. The timing, mere hours after the operation, raised eyebrows. Was it an attempt to capitalize on national sentiment?
Public backlash was swift and fierce. Social media erupted with criticism. Accusations of insensitivity and opportunism flew. In response, Reliance Industries issued a statement: "Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorization."
They emphasized no intention to commercialize the term. Acknowledging that "Operation Sindoor" had become a symbol of Indian bravery. But the public wasn’t convinced. To many, the explanation felt like a cover-up. An afterthought. A cleanup - not a correction. The trademark status was marked withdrawn. But the dent remained. Reliance, a corporate giant, had to do what it rarely does - Defend itself. Not for a business deal. Not for a policy shift. But for a trademark. One phrase. Filed too fast. Taken back too late. The damage wasn’t legal. It was emotional. And emotional damage sticks longer.
The trust? Shaken. The brand? Bruised. And a question still lingers: Why file it at all?
For businesses, it's a reminder. Not everything can - or should - be trademarked.
What every business must learn
This wasn’t just a PR slip. This wasn’t just a headline. It was a lesson. And not just for Reliance - for every business. In a world driven by news cycles and emotional moments, one wrong move can flip a brand’s image overnight. The Operation Sindoor trademark didn’t just get filed. It backfired - loudly.
Here’s what this saga teaches us:
1. Timing is everything
You might have the best legal team. You might be within your rights. But if the moment isn’t right, none of that matters. Filing a trademark right after a national military strike? That doesn’t feel strategic. It feels exploitative. In moments of national pride or pain, the line between relevance and insensitivity gets very thin. Cross it - and the backlash is instant.
2. Sensitivity beats strategy
Just because you can file a trademark, doesn’t mean you should. Businesses often think fast. Protect the brand. Lock the name. But when that name is tied to soldiers, loss, and emotion - the rules change. Public trust takes years to build. It takes seconds to lose. Short-term gain isn’t worth long-term damage.
3. Patriotism isn’t a product
You can’t brand bravery. You can’t own sacrifice. You can’t trademark the blood and spirit of a nation’s soldiers.Trying to turn national emotion into private property? That’s not bold. That’s dangerous. When companies treat patriotism like marketing, people see right through it. And they don’t forgive easily.This wasn’t about fonts or slogans. It was about respect. And when respect is lost - no trademark can save you.
4. Trademark law allows it, but should you?
Yes, Indian trademark law does not automatically restrict the registration of military operation names - unless they fall under Section 9(2) of the Trademarks Act (which bars marks likely to hurt religious or national sentiments). But laws evolve slowly. Public opinion doesn’t. The court of public sentiment is swift. And unlike legal courts, it doesn’t wait for hearings.
One name, one mistake, one nation criticized
The Reliance “Operation Sindoor” trademark will not be remembered for its legal standing. It will be remembered for crossing a line. A line between patriotism and profit. Between branding and basic respect. Between what can be done - and what should never be done.
This isn’t just a corporate misstep. It’s a caution sign for every business. Some names are powerful. Some names are sacred. Some names are not yours to claim. When the public is grieving or celebrating, brands must step back, not step in. Because in moments of high emotion, even a simple filing can feel like a violation. What Reliance learned - the hard way - is this: Silence is sometimes the strongest message. Restraint is sometimes the greatest power.
If you’re ever unsure about protecting a name, a slogan, or a symbol, don’t guess. Ask the experts. At Trademarkia, we help brands protect what’s theirs - Not what belongs to the nation. Not what belongs to the people. Only what truly belongs to you.
Because smart trademarking isn’t about grabbing first. It’s about thinking twice. And knowing where the line is - before the world tells you you’ve crossed it!
