A subreddit I often frequent is /todayilearned, which, to those unfamiliar, is a thread based on interesting and, oftentimes, bizarre real-life stories.
Today’s one firmly falls in the bizarre category.
Take a gander:
TIL [today I learned] the UK passport office declined to issue a 6-yr-old British girl a passport because the child's name Khaleesi was under WB trademark. After the story was reported on & it was determined that a birth name cannot be trademarked & that trademarks are for goods & services, the decision was reversed.
All's well that ends well, I guess, but I suspect in that moment, little Khaleesi was preparing to unleash her dragons and the Dothraki for good measure on the passport office.
Given that most building insurance does not cover damage from fire-breathing lizards, they were wise to overturn their decision.
Just goes to show the perils of naming your offspring after your favourite fantasy characters!
It has certainly made me rethink tabling Maximus for our second child, who is due to make his grand appearance any week now.
However, one person I can’t imagine complaining is George R.R. Martin.
He must be thrilled to see an entire generation of kids donning his characters’ names (and that’s not taking into account the free lifelong promotion that will surely come from it, either).
Not bad indeed.
Unlike young Khaleesi, however, you can expect no such trademark infringements here at Watson HQ should you, or anyone else you know, wish to call their little one after any of my characters.
In fact, I might even ship them a signed bundle of the books for when they “come of age” and begin asking questions about their epic denomination.
Just, whatever you do…
For the love of all things Estos…
Do not name them after Vraqor.
For those wondering why, well, I suggest starting with Exiled (Book #1 of The Divided Region) to find out:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/Exiled
All will become clear, dear Legionnaire. All will become clear.
DJJW