Reliance Industries Ltd. has withdrawn its application for trademarking the term 'Operation Sindoor' after social media outrage.
A unit of the conglomerate had earlier filed for trademarking Operation Sindoor — the name given to the Indian Army's crackdown on nine terrorist infrastructure bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
After the flak drawn on social media, RIL issued a statement on Thursday, pinning the blame on a "junior person" for inadvertently applying for the trademark.
"Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation," it said.
The application, seeking exclusive use for a broad set of entertainment and publishing services, was filed on May 7 with the government's Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks under Class 41—which covers activities such as production and distribution of audio-visual content, electronic publishing, organising events and competitions, and language teaching.
Outrage Over Trademark Application
Reliance Industries Limited was the first to file a trademark application for “Operation Sindoor” within an hour, and within the next 24 hours, three more applicants followed. Country at war but Ambani means business. pic.twitter.com/AzVsNHGIuP
Caught red-handed, now backpedaling! #Reliance Industries quietly withdraws its trademark application for ‘Operation Sindoor'. Was it public outrage or a guilty conscience? Either way, exploiting national tragedies for corporate branding is a new low—even for Reliance.… pic.twitter.com/2hPEGKNhBK
After massive criticism and pressure, #Reliance withdraws its application for the #OperationSindoor trademark. But why blame a junior functionary for what is the trademark of profit before all else? pic.twitter.com/HrYxulj3gB
The trademark status, till earlier in the day on Thursday, was listed as “Formalities Check Pass” on the Intellectual Property India portal. The goods and services description suggested that the term was intended to be used in connection with non-downloadable publications, shows, concerts, exhibitions and forums, although the company did not officially announce any project tied to the application.
To be sure, it remains unclear whether Reliance's now-withdrawn trademark filing pointed to an upcoming production based on the military operation, as the application came in the wake of the conglomerate's growing footprint in the media and entertainment sector.
Last year, Reliance and The Walt Disney Co. agreed to float a joint venture to merge their television and streaming businesses in India in a deal valued at $8.5 billion. The JV, which combines assets such as StarPlus, Colors TV, Star Gold, Star Sports, Sports18, Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema, came into effect in November.
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