Trademark Preserves Aishwarya Rai's Title

In a long-anticipated move, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai has registered a trademark on the phrase “the most beautiful woman in the world.” It can no longer be used to describe any other woman.

Rai has also put a trademark on an abbreviation that many of her fans have been using when chatting on the Internet or text messaging on cell phones. “The older generation knows her as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world,’” her attorney Manish Shah said. “But the younger generation knows her as TMBWITW. We felt that we owed it to her young fans to protect that abbreviation too.”

David Johnson, a clerk at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, confirmed that the trademarks had been registered. “We approved the trademarks almost instantly,” he said. “Mr. Shah cited thousands of media references and it became clear to us that when anyone uses the phrase ‘the most beautiful woman in the world,’ everyone automatically thinks of Aishwarya Rai.”

Bollywood insiders were not surprised that Rai had taken legal ownership of the “most beautiful woman” title, noting that she was visibly upset last year when a British magazine gave the title to Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. “The queen is protecting her crown,” said Raj Bhatia of BollyScoop magazine. “The British magazine ranked Aishwarya only ninth most beautiful in the world. Can you imagine how insulted she must have felt?”

Shah said that Aishwarya does not plan to own the trademarks forever. “She realizes that as she gets older, the ‘most beautiful’ title will naturally pass to another woman,” he said. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she relinquishes the trademarks as soon as she turns 70.”

Meanwhile, an attorney for Angelina Jolie has vowed to trademark a title for her too. “We’re not sure what will work,” Robert Mathis said. “But we’re looking at the title ‘the most beautiful woman in the world other than Aishwarya.’ We would, of course, also trademark TMBWITWOTA.”

He added that Jolie is also competing with other actresses to trademark the phrase “The woman who is currently dating Brad Pitt.”