A British family planning a long-awaited vacation was recently denied a passport for their young son due to his unique name, inspired by a popular “Star Wars” character.
Christian and Becky Mowbray, both with military backgrounds, named their son Loki Skywalker Mowbray after he was born on May 4, 2017—also known as “Star Wars Day,” a nod to the franchise’s iconic line, “May the Force be with you.”
The name, however, led to an unexpected hurdle when they applied for passports in preparation for a family vacation to the Dominican Republic this October. The Home Office, which handles UK immigration and security matters, informed the Mowbrays that their son’s passport could not be printed with “Skywalker” due to the name’s association with a trademark held by Disney, which acquired the “Star Wars” franchise in 2012.
The Mowbrays were looking forward to their first international trip in years, as strict work schedules had previously prevented them from taking time off. Christian Mowbray serves in the Corps of Royal Engineers at Sutton Heath’s Rock Barracks, while Becky, a former soldier, has been dealing with complex PTSD.
The couple was stunned when they were told they needed permission from Disney to use “Skywalker” on their son’s passport. Christian Mowbray expressed his surprise, saying, “We were not aware that this could be a potential issue. We understand that Loki’s middle name is copyrighted, but we have no intention of using it for personal gain.”
Copyrighted names: A growing issue?
In recent years, the rise in pop culture-inspired names has led to similar legal challenges. The Mowbray family’s situation isn’t the first of its kind. Another UK family faced comparable difficulties when they were told they needed permission from Warner Brothers to include their daughter’s name, “Khaleesi,” a character from Game of Thrones, on her passport.
“I had a letter come through from the Passport Office, saying her name is trademarked by Warner Brothers,” the mother of the 6-year-old girl shared with the BBC.
Resolution
Despite the unexpected setback, the issue was ultimately resolved, and Loki Skywalker Mowbray received his passport in time for the family’s vacation. Christian Mowbray expressed understanding for the Home Office’s decision but noted, “I believe they need to recognize that modern names are evolving.”
As more parents draw inspiration from beloved cultural references, trademarked names may continue to pose challenges for families. However, the Mowbrays’ case highlights the importance of balancing personal naming choices with legal considerations around intellectual property.