Until about the mid 20th century, trademarks applied only to logos or wordmarks, until the category was expanded to include sounds such as the Intel “bong” and colors like Tiffany Blue. Now India joins the nations that recognize an even more elusive sense than sight and hearing: smell.

In November 2025, India approved the application filed by Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industries for a scent described as, “Floral fragrance / smell reminiscent of roses as applied to [tires]”. The move signals a decisive shift in the way Indian trademark law engages with non-traditional marks.

— Read more in India’s first smell mark: Sumitomo rose-scented tires at WIPO.