Yahoo!’s Yodel First Sound Mark Granted in India

Yahoo!’s yodel became the first sound mark to bedistinctive (adapted to distinguish the goods/services of
granted by Indian Trade Marks Registry. As per thethe applicant from that of others) and must not
definition of mark under the Indian Trademark Act, adeceptive.
‘Mark’ includes a device, brand, heading, label,The Trademarks Registry granted registration to
ticket, name (including abbreviations), signature, word,Yahoo!’ yodel on August 18, 2008. The sound mark
letter, numerals, shape of goods, packaging orcan be registered in India as they are capable of being
combination of colors and any combination thereof. Asrepresented graphically i.e. in the form of musical notes
per the provision of the Indian Trade marks Act athus satisfying the requirement of the Indian Trade
‘Trademark’ means a mark capable of beingMarks Act. As per the Indian Trade Marks Act one of
represented graphically and which is capable ofthe essential and inherent requirement of a trade mark
distinguishing the goods or services of one personis that it should be capable of being represented
from those of others. It also denotes the origin ofgraphically and must be able to distinguish the good or
goods and carries goodwill of the business in respectservices in respect of which it is employed from that
of which it is usedof others.
Further, the Indian Act requires that trademark must be