India Registers Its First Olfactory (Smell) Trademark: A Historic Milestone in Non-Conventional Trademark Protection
Summary The Indian Trade Marks Registry made history by accepting the country's first olfactory (smell) trademark - a rose-like floral fragrance infused into tyres by Sumitomo Rubber Industries - marking a paradigm shift in Indian trademark law by recognizing non-conventional intangible marks beyond traditional words, logos, shapes, colours, and sounds. A Historic First for Indian Trademark Law On November 21, 2025, the Indian Trade Marks Registry achieved a historic milestone by accepting India's first olfactory (smell) trademark: "a rose-like floral fragrance infused into tyres" filed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries. This landmark decision opens an entirely new dimension in Indian intellectual property law, recognizing that trademark protection extends beyond conventional sensory marks such as words, logos, shapes, colours, and even sounds, to encompass intangible non-conventional marks like scent. The acceptance of this olfactory mark represents a significant e...