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New Delhi: Former India captain MS Dhoni has applied to trademark his iconic nickname – ‘Captain Cool’. Over the years, the term ‘Captain Cool’ has been associated with Dhoni, who was known for his calm and composed demeanour both on and off the field during his stint as the captain of the Indian team.

Dhoni, who is one of India’s most successful captains of all time, led the team to unprecedented heights under his leadership. The 42-year-old legendary wicket-keeper batter remains the only captain to have won all three limited-overs ICC trophies – the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy. Dhoni led a young Indian team to T20 World Cup glory in 2007, before ending the country’s 28-year-long wait for a second ODI World Cup title in 2011.

India won the Champions Trophy under Dhoni in 2013, making him the first captain to win all three major limited-overs ICC titles. Dhoni’s ability to remain calm under the most intense situations as skipper earned him the moniker – ‘Captain Cool’. The former India captain has now sought exclusive rights for the use of the ‘Captain Cool’ title for multiple services, including sports coaching, training and other facilities.

As per a document released by the Trade Marks Registry, the term ‘Captain Cool’ has been “accepted and advertised” as a trademark for Dhoni. The status of the trademark was reportedly updated on June 29, under the record available with the Trade Marks Registry in India.

“Delighted to share a recent development from the field of trademark law that underscores the evolving role of personality rights and acquired distinctiveness in overcoming relative grounds for refusal,” Dhoni’s lawyer, Mansi Aggarwal, was quoted as saying by India Today.

Trademark for ‘Captain Cool’ a strategic decision from MS Dhoni

Dhoni’s decision to trademark his iconic nickname seems to be a strategic commercial move from the Indian captain as the term’Captain Cool’ can now be exclusively used for merchandise, apparel and branding for other services for the firms owned or related to the former India captain.

The Trade Marks Registry reportedly raised concerns about the trademark of the term ‘Captain Cool’, arguing that there can be other phrases of a similar term which can lead to confusion. However, Dhoni’s legal team asserted that the term ‘Captain Cool’ has a strong and exclusive association with the former captain, given the long-standing use of the nickname by fans and media.

“The phrase ‘Captain Cool’ has acquired a distinct secondary meaning through widespread and sustained association with Mr Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian national cricket team,” said Dhoni’s lawyer Aggarwal.