Woman changes name to L. Skywalker, denied passport
The UK takes a dim view of any name that it deems as being copyrighted or trademarked.
People name their kids (and even sometimes themselves) after their heroes.
Why, there's currently an absolute frenzy of children being named Katniss.
It's understandable, therefore, that a deeply committed "Star Wars" fan might want to be referred to as L. Skywalker.
It surely sounds better than L. Cid or L. Sbells.
The government of the United Kingdom is, however, unimpressed with Laura Matthews. This is because her full name is now Laura Elizabeth Skywalker Matthews.
What could be wrong with that? Well, as the Telegraph reports, the island authorities didn't like that her signature is now "L. Skywalker."
The UK's Home Office declared it "will not recognize a change to a name which is subject to copyright or trademark." It added that its duty is to ensure that British passports aren't "called into question or disrepute."
Oh, I wonder how many British people are called Brad Pitt, Sarah Palin or the Marquis de Sade. And what of all the Everdeens of England who call their kids Katniss? Will they be upbraided and brought before the House of Lords?
Matthews, who says she changed her name just for a giggle or two, is stunned at this eccentric decision. She insists that all her other legal documents, such as driver's license and credit cards have her new and, let's face it, rather impressive signature.
Now it seems that she will have to apply for a passport all over again and use her old signature. She will, however, be allowed to keep the "Skywalker" in her name.
Woe betide, though, when she has to use her passport as a secondary means of identification and some wise functionary notes the entirely different signatures on the two documents.
The things we do to get closer to our heroes. If only they cared.