AND NAMED FOR A FORMER SOVIET AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.:

Spell of trouble for Dobby (Laura Smith, 2/03/03, Evening Standard)

Dobby, the computer-animated elf in the new Harry Potter film, could be at the centre of a court battle over his resemblance to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

A Russian law firm is reportedly drawing up legal action against the special effects people who dreamt up Dobby, arguing that the ugly but caring elf has been modelled on Mr Putin.

The Kremlin and Warner Bros, producer of Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, have declined to comment but the controversy has stirred emotions in Russia.

What if your daughter says you look like Hagrid? Posted by Orrin Judd at February 3, 2003 8:32 PM