Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Is First Indian Building To Get Trademark

The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai has become the first Indian building to be trademarked, under the Trademarks Act 1999, for its architectural design.

With this, the iconic 114-year-old building joins the small group of trademarked buildings like Eiffel Tower, Empire Estate Building and Sydney Opera House Building.

The building, which now serves as a hotel and was the target of devastating terrorist attacks in 2008, had served as a hospital during the First World War.

The move was motivated by the aim of protection of the distinctiveness of the building.

The trademark means that those using pictures of the Taj Mahal Palace will now have to pay a licencing fee.