Sunrider naming controversy

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The Sunrider naming controversy involves a case of trademark infringement that resulted in the discontinuation of the Sunrider family in Star Wars continuity outside the Tales of the Jedi comics.

Contents 1 History 2 Impact on continuity 2.1 Bastila Shan and Juhani 2.2 Future of the Sunriders 3 Notes and references

[edit] History

During the 1990s, the Tales of the Jedi comics, published by Dark Horse Comics, introduced no less than four characters with the last name "Sunrider": Jev Sunrider, Andur Sunrider, Nomi Sunrider and Vima Sunrider. A controversy later ensued over the name "Sunrider", preventing some uses of the last name in later materials; however, sources such as the New Essential Chronology and Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force use the Sunrider name multiple times, suggesting that any problems with the name are not absolute.

[edit] Impact on continuity

[edit] Bastila Shan and Juhani

The legal issues with the name "Sunrider" had a significant impact on subsequent Star Wars continuity set in the Old Republic era (where the Tales comics took place). The design of BioWare and LucasArts' roleplaying video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, then in development, included two female Jedi as party members: a Human and a Cathar. The Cathar Jedi was originally named Bastila Shan, and the Human Jedi was slated to become Vima Sunrider herself.

At some point in development, it was decided to drop Vima in favor of a brand new character. After the game was released, this fact was mentioned in the official Databank, but it was not until February 24, 2005 that Chris Avellone, the lead designer of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, mentioned the Sunrider naming controversy as the reason in a brief message on the Obsidian Entertainment forums.^[1] Additional details were later discovered by Jedi Council Forums member "Leto II".^[2]

The new character, created as a replacement for Vima, was named Sareth Dorn. However, this name was eventually dropped, and the name of the Cathar Jedi was given to the Human Jedi; thus she became the now popular Bastila Shan. The Cathar Jedi was then renamed Juhani.

[edit] Future of the Sunriders

The Sunriders themselves, however, were not forgotten. Apart from their distant descendants Vima-Da-Boda and Neema-Da-Boda appearing in later Star Wars works, there are a few references to Nomi Sunrider in both KotOR games. In the first game, Jolee Bindo tells the player (Revan) the story of Nomi (once even calling her Sunrider, although, according to Chris Avellone, it was an "oversight"). The second game contains items called "Nomi's robe" and "Nomi's Armband"; their descriptions mention Nomi and Andur, albeit without the controversial last name. The New Essential Chronology stated that Vima became one of the most accomplished Jedi of her time, and continues to use the Sunrider name. The Sunrider name was also used in Star Wars Galaxies and Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight.

Due for release in October, 2010 is a forthcoming hardcover novel featuring Nomi (and, presumably, Vima) Sunrider, written by author Alex Irvine, and set just before the events of the first Knights of the Old Republic video game, very likely during the Mandalorian Wars.^[3] It has likewise been speculated that Nomi and/or Vima can still appear in future issues of the Knights of the Old Republic comics, despite the legal concerns.

[edit] Notes and references