Archive · 3 Dec 2025
India Approves First Scent Trademark for Tyres
India has approved its first scent trademark, which is a rose-like smell for tyres made by a company called Sumitomo Rubber Industries.
This is a big deal because before this, it was very hard to protect smells as trademarks.
The company had to show that the smell is unique and can be clearly described.
This decision might encourage other companies to protect their special smells too.
However, it might be harder for smaller companies to do this because it requires a lot of scientific evidence and money.
Experts think this could lead to more disputes about smells in the future.
India's first scent trademark is a rose-like fragrance for tyres, approved by the Trade Marks Registry.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries filed the application in March 2023, which was initially rejected but later accepted with the help of a scientific model.
The scent was found to be distinctive and capable of graphical representation, meeting the requirements of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
This ruling opens the door for other industries to protect their signature smells, but it may be challenging for smaller companies due to the high costs and scientific evidence required.
Experts predict an increase in scent-based branding and potential disputes as more companies seek to protect their unique fragrances.
- Who
- Sumitomo Rubber Industries, a Japanese multinational
- What
- India's first scent trademark, a rose-like fragrance for tyres
- When
- Approved on 21 November 2023, filed in March 2023
- Where
- India, under the Trade Marks Registry
- Why
- To protect the distinctive scent of tyres and allow for sensory branding
- Trademark Owner
- Sumitomo Rubber Industries
- Trademark Type
- Fragrance
- Trademark Description
- Rose-like floral scent
- Filing Date
- March 2023
- Approval Date
- 21 November 2023
- Legal Basis
- Trade Marks Act, 1999
- Scientific Model
- Graphical olfactory model by IIIT Allahabad