New Delhi, Dec. 3 -- What if the way something smells-not just how it looks or sounds-could be owned as a brand? India has just registered its first-ever scent trademark, and it smells like roses on a tyre.

In a move that could reshape how brands think about identity, the Trade Marks Registry has accepted a rose fragrance infused into tyres as a trademark, breaking new ground for sensory branding in India. Until now, scents were considered almost impossible to protect because they couldn't be clearly represented on paper.

Experts say the ruling opens the door for everything from perfumes and cosmetics to hotels and luxury retailers to claim legal ownership over their signature smells.

Mint explains why this matters for Indian businesse...