MS Dhoni’s bid to trademark “Captain Cool” for entertainment and sports services has cleared objections. The mark is now published, with a 4-month window for public opposition.
Former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has moved one step closer to owning exclusive rights over the phrase “Captain Cool” for use in the fields of entertainment and sports.
His application to trademark the phrase has been formally accepted by the Trade Marks Registry and was published in the official Trade Marks Journal on June 16, 2025.
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This development comes after Dhoni had filed the trademark application back in June 2023 under Class 41, which includes services related to education, entertainment, sports, cultural activities, coaching, and training.
The trademark was meant to protect the phrase “Captain Cool” in the context of services related to his public image and career.
However, the application initially faced a hurdle when the Trade Marks Registry objected to it under Section 11(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
This section talks about “relative grounds for refusal,” which means that if a trademark is already registered and another person applies for a similar or identical mark for similar services, the Registry can reject it to prevent confusion among the public.
In Dhoni’s case, the objection was raised because a company named Prabha Skill Sports (OPC) Private Limited had already registered the same phrase “Captain Cool” under the same class (Class 41) for gaming services.
To overcome this objection, a hearing was held as per Rule 115 of the Trade Marks Rules. During the hearing, Dhoni’s legal team argued that the phrase “Captain Cool” is not just a general term but is directly linked to Dhoni’s personal identity and fame.
They said the phrase has become well-known across India and the world as a nickname for Dhoni due to his calm and composed nature on the cricket field.
The Senior Examiner of Trade Marks, after reviewing the arguments and evidence, agreed with Dhoni’s side.
The Examiner noted,
“The applicant Mr. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a renowned public figure and former captain of the Indian national cricket team, is widely recognized…by the sobriquet ‘CAPTAIN COOL’. The phrase ‘CAPTAIN COOL’ is closely and uniquely associated with the applicant’s persona and has acquired a distinct secondary meaning in reference to him in the context of sporting and entertainment services.”
Because of this strong association with Dhoni, the Registry concluded that the public would not be confused by Dhoni’s use of the mark, even though the phrase was previously registered by another party.
The objection under Section 11(1) was therefore removed, and the application was accepted and advertised under Section 20(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
With the mark now published in the Trade Marks Journal, a four-month opposition period has begun. During this time (until mid-October 2025), any person or company who believes Dhoni’s trademark might violate their existing rights or create confusion in the market can file a formal opposition.
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If no opposition is filed by the deadline, the phrase “Captain Cool” will officially be registered under Dhoni’s name, giving him the exclusive legal rights to use it for all services covered under Class 41.
This would mean that others cannot legally use the phrase in a similar context without Dhoni’s permission.
Dhoni’s legal representation in this matter was Advocate Mansi Aggarwal from Vidhi Samhita Advocates, who successfully presented his case before the Registry.
Read Registry’s Objection:
Read Registry’s Acceptance:
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