Possible court action over Dobby-Putin resemblance

Ananova ^ | January 28, 2003 | Ananova

[MadIvan]

Harry Potter character Dobby the house-elf could soon be at the centre of a court battle over his apparent resemblance to Vladimir Putin.

A Russian law firm is reportedly drawing up legal action against the special effects people who dreamt up Dobby as he appears in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

It is arguing the elf has been modelled on the Russian president, the Novaya Gazeta newspaper reports.

The Kremlin and Harry Potter film producers Warner Bros have declined to comment on the matter but the controversy has stirred emotions in Russia.

Harry Potter websites and chatrooms have been inundated with angry Russians posting messages attacking anyone even suggesting a likeness between the elf and Putin.

The threatened legal action is the second controversy in Russia in recent months surrounding the best-selling children's books.

Last year the Russian Orthodox Church called for the books to be banned. It claimed they promoted occultism and witchcraft.

It is also not the first time Russians have been angered about the apparent misuse of the image of their president.

In 1995, the Prosecutor-General's Office launched an investigation into alleged insults against then-President Boris Yeltsin in the popular satirical puppet show "Kukly". The case was later dropped.

[MadIvan]

I think the Russians need to relax about this one - the resemblance is not much at all.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Corin Stormhands]

Potter ping.

[vbmoneyspender]

I love Ananova

[Desdemona]

Small note to the Russians: GET A LIFE.

[mhking]

Just damn.

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[farmfriend]

Thanks for the laugh. I needed one.

[latrans]

Who knew that a tough old KGB agent would be so thin skinned and paranoid.

[SuziQ]

I think the Russians need to relax about this one - the resemblance is not much at all.

That's true. Dobby is much cuter! LOL!

[Alouette]

the resemblance is not much at all.

He, he looks much more like Yossel Gollem--er--

[trebb]

Maybe PeeWee herman should sue Russia - I think Putin kinda resembles him...

=

[RummyChick]

Why in the world would russians want to even think Putin resembles Dobby...that would be an insult to their leader...though I think there is a resemblence..and laughed out loud when I saw this on drudge.

[Bobby777]

this is a joke, right? ... they can't be serious ...

[demosthenes the elder]

rotflmnwao!

[RansomOttawa]

In other news, Microsoft is suing Warner Bros. because Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter, strongly resembles Bill Gates; furthermore, they claim, "wizard" is their trademark.

[smith288]

Methinks someone has a bad self image problem.

[Ditter]

One of our dogs looks like Dobby, so much so, that we have started to call her that. I never thought about Putin. We could call her Putin, that would work on several levels. heh

[PJ-Comix]

Will James Carville sue over the resemblance of the Gollum to him?

[MadIvan]

Not sure, but Hillary may sue over this rather revealing photograph:

Regards, Ivan

[PJ-Comix]

A lot of public figures look like movie/cartoon characters:

Joe Lieberman---Muppet

James Carville---Gollum

Arlen Spector---Cartoon buzzard

Richard Gephardt---ET

Al Sharpton---Fat Albert

Ugly Connecticut Congresswoman (can't remember her name)---Any cartoon witch

Bob Graham---The Great Pumpkin

Any others?