UK woman who changed her name to 'Pudsey Bear' 16 years ago denied passport

A British woman who legally changed her name to "Pudsey Bear" 16 years ago has been denied a passport by the UK Passport Office, which cites concerns over potential copyright infringement.

Eileen De Bont, now officially known as Pudsey Bear, adopted the name in 2009 after auctioning off her naming rights to raise funds for the charity Children in Need. The UK Deed Poll Service won the auction for £4,000 (approximately Rs 4.4 lakh), and her new identity was legally recognized.

While institutions such as banks and health services have accepted her name change, the Passport Office has consistently refused to issue her a passport under that name. Despite applying for a passport in 2009 and seeking clarification this month, she has been told that her name could still raise legal concerns.

“They just won’t let me be who I am,” De Bont told MailOnline. “All my documents, bills, and even my business operate under this name, but the Passport Office won’t budge.”

Although the UK Deed Poll Service acknowledged that names linked to trademarks and copyrights may face rejection, they criticized the Passport Office for its inconsistent approach. Under UK trademark law, simply sharing a name with a registered trademark doesn’t automatically lead to infringement, especially when it doesn’t involve commercial activity.

De Bont, who also operates a tarot reading business named Northern Light Tarot under the name Pudsey Bear, has no plans to revert to her birth name. The Home Office has advised her to seek permission from the BBC, the copyright holder of the Pudsey Bear mascot, before reapplying for her passport.