MS Dhoni officially trademarked the phrase ‘Captain Cool’ on 16 July. The nickname is widely associated with him due to his calm and composed behavior on the cricket field, no matter how intense the situation. Now, no one can use this phrase without his permission in India. This nickname has been closely associated with him for a very long time.
Dhoni’s Legal Team Defends the Claim
However, getting the trademark wasn’t entirely smooth for MS Dhoni. When his legal team applied to register the ‘Captain Cool’ trademark, they discovered that a similar trademark was already on record. This raised concerns about possible confusion among the public and a potential trademark violation. But Dhoni’s lawyer, Mansi Aggarwal, stated that the Captain Cool phrase is widely associated with Dhoni, and any type of confusion is very rare. She also added that this phrase can be used in sports and entertainment.
Who Claimed ‘Captain Cool’ Before Dhoni?
In July 2021, Prabha Skill Sports (OPC) Pvt Ltd, a one-person company based in Rajasthan, filed for the trademark “CAPTAIN COOL” under Class 41, which covers sports training, coaching, and related facilities. Their application was accepted and registered with the Rajasthan trademark registry. However, the status later changed to “rectification filed,” indicating that a correction or legal challenge was made against the registration. But in the application of Mahi, he said, “This is a case where the company tried to register the name in bad faith, hoping to fool the public and make money by using the name of a famous person without permission.”
MS Dhoni’s Trademark Awaits Final Clearance
The latest update is that on 16 July, the phrase ‘Captain Cool’ has been officially trademarked. It is registered under categories related to sports training, coaching, and sports facilities. The trademark will be formally granted if no objections or oppositions are raised within 120 days of its acceptance date, which was June 16, 2025.
Another Big Moment for Dhoni
This month turned out to be extra special for MS Dhoni as he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame for 2025. He joins an elite group of cricketing greats, including Hashim Amla, Daniel Vettori, Graeme Smith, and Matthew Hayden. Expressing his gratitude, Dhoni said, “It’s a true honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which celebrates the achievements of cricketers from different eras and around the world.”
Legal point of view for trademark
Recently, cases like this have become more common. Many celebrities now trademark their names, unique styles, or anything they’re known for. But why do they do this? After all, they’re already famous and wealthy—they don’t need a trademark for recognition.
The reason is not just about fame—it’s about control and protection. A trademark helps them stop others from using their identity for profit, like selling fake merchandise or using their name in promotions without permission. It also allows them to build their own brand, open businesses, or license their name in a way that’s legally protected. In simple terms, it’s about owning what makes them unique and making sure it isn’t misused by others.
Benefits of the trademark
- Brand Control
- Prevent Misuse
- Legal Protection
- Merchandising Power
- Licensing Opportunities
- Global Expansion
- Legacy Building
Conclusion
A trademark is valuable not only for someone new entering the market but also for those who have already built a strong name for themselves. In this article, we gave a complete overview of how MS Dhoni trademarked the iconic phrase ‘Captain Cool’, covering everything from the beginning of the process to its final outcome.