Family's Vacation Halted After Son's "Star Wars" Name Sparks Passport Controversy
A British military family’s long-awaited vacation was nearly derailed when their 7-year-old son, Loki Skywalker Mowbray, was denied a passport due to his name. Christian Mowbray, a soldier in the Corps of Royal Engineers, and his wife Becky, named their son after the iconic "Star Wars" character, having welcomed him on May 4, 2017—"Star Wars Day."
The Mowbrays were preparing for their first international family vacation to the Dominican Republic in October when the UK Home Office refused to print Loki's passport, citing Disney’s copyright on the name "Skywalker." The family, unaware of potential issues with their son's name, was told they needed to either change the name or obtain permission from Disney.
Christian Mowbray expressed frustration but understood the Home Office’s position, explaining, "We understand that Loki’s middle name is copyrighted, but we have no intention of using it for personal gain."
Despite the initial setback, Loki was eventually issued his passport, allowing the family's vacation plans to move forward. Similar naming disputes have occurred, including a family whose daughter Khaleesi, named after a "Game of Thrones" character, faced passport issues due to Warner Brothers' trademark.
In another case, a Brazilian court denied a family’s request to name their son after an Egyptian pharaoh, ruling the name sounded too similar to a dance term that could lead to ridicule.
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