MS Dhoni Officially Secures Trademark for 'Captain Cool' Title

Why did it take so long for MS Dhoni's trademark Application to get accepted?

It's been two years since 2023, MS Dhoni filed the trademark application to protect his brand and identity, Captain Cool. However, he learnt that a company named Prabha Skill Sports (OPC) Pvt Ltd, a company from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, had previously registered the term Captain Cool in July 2021 for online gaming and related services. 
To which, Dhoni's legal team applied for a rectification petition, arguing that the company was attempting to exploit his brand and the term’s popularity, as "Captain Cool" is widely associated with Dhoni’s identity. 
Also, Dhoni stated in his application that. “This is a case of bad faith registration on the part of the company, aimed at deceiving the public and unlawfully enriching themselves by trading on the name of a well-known individual." 
Dhoni’s Lawyer, Mansi Aggarwal, said, “This development underscores the evolving role of personality rights and acquired distinctiveness in overcoming relative grounds for refusal.”
On June 16, the Trademarks Registry finally accepted the application, realising that "Captain Cool" has a distinct secondary meaning tied to Dhoni’s persona; thus, the application status changed from rectification filed to 'accepted and advertised'. Now, Dhoni can use his trademarked Captain Cool to launch sports academies, fitness brands, or training camps under his nickname. 

MS Dhoni, aka Captain Cool another achievement as he joins the ICC Hall of Fame

Recently, Dhoni celebrated his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, joining the cricketing legends like Matthew Hayden and Hashim Amla. The ICC (International Cricket Board) praised MS Dhoni for his consistency, fitness, and long run in cricket. 
The ICC hailed, "Celebrated for his calm under pressure and unmatched tactical nous, but also a trailblazer in the shorter formats, MS Dhoni's legacy as one of the game's greatest finishers, leaders and wicketkeepers has been honoured with his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.” 
Via ESPN, Dhoni expressed his gratitude and honor towards the ICC and said, “It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world…”
He added, “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.”
Dhoni’s fans are celebrating his marvelous achievement and strongly supporting him on social Media like X, posting memes and videos. On the other hand, there is also a group comparing Dhoni’s trademark to other cricketers like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. There’s a video of Virat Kohli going viral in which he tells the reporters, "Don't use the word' King Kohli”  as he gets embarrassed.  
Well! MS Dhoni is not the only one, but many global icons like Michael Jordan and Cristiano Ronaldo have similarly protected their personal brands. In 2024,  Dhoni has a brand value of approximately ₹800 crore, including his commercial influence, even post-retirement. After trademarking his nickname “Captain Cool,” his brand value will surely increase his net worth and carry his legacy.