UK Passport Refused Over Name Trademark, Skywalker

[engine]

That's an interesting one. What if the person had the name given to them at birth; would that be different? I wonder if it's just what's called "a jobs-worth" at the passport office.

A woman who added "Skywalker" as a middle name has been told by passport officials her signature infringes a trademark.

Laura Matthews, 29, changed her name by deed poll in 2008 "for a bit of a laugh".

She recently tried to renew her passport and amended her signature to "L. Skywalker".

The Home Office said it "will not recognise a change to a name which is subject to copyright or trademark".UK Passport Office Refused Over Name Trademark, Skywalker [bbc.co.uk]

[Old_Honky]

There must be a few people worldwide called "Ronald MacDonald" (especially in Scotland) I wonder how they get on? Perhaps none of them ever go abroad.

It's a great shame I was hoping to change my name to "Adidas Walmart", it had a ring to it.

[Samizdata]

Her full name is Laura Elizabeth Skywalker Matthews.

So her signature should probably be L Matthews.

She has been told she might have to submit a new passport form with her old signature, but would be able to keep her new name on the document.

Slow news day, I suspect.

...

[LifeinAsia]

What if she signs her nickname ("Darth") instead?

Or how about if she legally changes her name to "Passport Signature"- will they be happy with that?

[Planet13]

There must be a few people worldwide called "Ronald MacDonald" (especially in Scotland)

I am pretty sure I saw a burger king commercial on tv the other night where they had hired a bunch of people who were named Ronald McDonald to come and talk about how much they like BK's food.

[piatkow]

On the other hand what would be the situation if she married a man who was already called Skywalker?