Indian Hospitality Sectors First Sound Mark Registration

A sound mark of a trademark means a distinct ,unique audio of a product or a service. Sound has evolved as a critical touch point for building familiarity, enhancing atmosphere and emotional resonance.

The first registered sound mark under The Trademark Act,1999 in India was the Yahoo yodel registered in 2008, a landmark precedent which set the scene for sound mark registration in our country. Other notable sound marks include ICICI Bank’s tune of Dhin Chik Dhin Chik into the famous Nokia’s tune. It was further mentioned in the Amendment to The Trademark Rules in 2017, describing specific procedures. Recent times have showcased a shift from the conventional trademarks to sensory protection. The distinctiveness of a mark can no longer be limited to what is visible, but also what is audible to the public.

Indian Hostel Company Limited, parent company of the iconic Taj Hotels, secured its first trademark registration of a sound mark on 7th January 2026 under TMA No. 6962095 across classes 9,35 and 43 consisting of a short musical notes “D E E G A E” in D major, a /4/4 time signature with a tempo of 130 beats per minute. It is also India’s first sound mark registration in the hospitality sector.

To conclude, we can say that the Taj Hotels sound mark registration is a landmark moment in Indian intellectual property, which is an amalgamation of Law, Brand Value, and Consumer Psychology.

Article by - Sayani Kesh