Osmania University’s Arts College set to become India’s third trademarked building

Osmania University‘s iconic Arts College building is set to become India’s third trademarked building, following in the footsteps of the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Bombay Stock Exchange, according to reports here on Monday.

The trademark application for the building’s exterior design was filed in April 2024 and has been accepted for publication. The registration process is expected to be completed within the next 4-5 months, reports have said.

The Arts College building, inaugurated by Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan in 1939, is a stunning blend of Ajanta and Ellora styles with Indo-Saracenic arches. Designed by Belgian architect Monsieur Jasper, the granite structure boasts 164 rooms and covers a vast area of 2.5 lakh square feet.

Subhajit Saha, a TM agent, filed the application with the support of Prof. G.B. Reddy, who is



the founding Chair Professor of the DPIIR-IPR Chair at OU, specializing in the area of Intellectual Property as an independent researcher, publisher and teacher.

Saha hopes that trademarking the building will elevate it to a brand status and inspire other iconic structures like T-HUB, T Works, and the Telangana Secretariat to follow suit.

By trademarking its Arts College building, Osmania University aims to protect its unique architectural heritage and leverage it for commercial purposes, such as merchandise and souvenirs.

The concept of trademarking buildings originated in the US, with famous examples including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the New York Stock Exchange. This trend has now extended to other countries, with the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House also securing trademark protection.