Dobby, the floppy-eared and pointy-nosed computer animated elf
in the latest Harry Potter film, could become the subject of an
international legal dispute. According to reports credited to
Russian newspapers and radio stations, a group of Russian lawyers
plans to sue Warner Bros, the film's producer, claiming that Dobby
was modelled on the image of Vladimir Putin.
Although neither Warner Bros nor Russian officials have
commented on the matter, Russian web sites and chat rooms have been
reportedly flooded by messages debating whether President Putin
looks like Dobby.
The debate soon went global, after BBC children's web site CBBC
posted the results of an on-line poll, in which more than 7,000
users voted that Dobby does look like the Russian President. The
results of the poll are due to be broadcast by Russian TV.
This is the second time Harry Potter has created controversy in
Russia. Last year, the Russian Orthodox church demanded the Harry
Potter books be banned for promoting occultism.
