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Don't Eff With Potter!

Filed under: Anglophilia > Harry Potter

wenn1817829.jpg

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is set to testify in court today against a publisher who's trying to put out an encyclopedia based on the Potter universe.

Up until now, Rowling has allowed and welcomed the numerous fan-based outlets that her books have inspired. She's even done interviews with some of the sites.

However, a small publisher in Muskegon, Michigan, RDR Books, has announced it planned last fall to publish a printed version of the fan sites, primarily information from the popular fan site called “The Harry Potter Lexicon."

Rowling and even Warner Brothers have stepped in to object. Stating that unlike the online fan sites, the new book is basically seeking to make money from Rowling's work.

The book is being written by the fan website's founder, Steven Vander Ark and three other writers.

Last October, Rowling and WB sued RDR Books for copyright infringement and caused the company to temporarily suspend any publication.

The case will determine if anyone aside from Rowling has the right to publish books that rely mainly on her work as the main source material. It will also determine if the online fan site used in the book adds enough material to transform the content of her books.

Rowling argues that the proposed book has thrown off her plans to write her own style of encyclopedia, in which she planned to donate the proceeds to charity. She's now arguing that the new book could prevent fans from buying hers.

The publisher for RDR Books, Roger Rapoport, said “We don’t think we’re a threat to J. K. Rowling.” He believes both books could exist at the same time.

He also argues that the book “provides a significant amount of original analysis and commentary concerning everything from insights into the personality of key characters, relationships among them, the meaning of various historical and literary allusions, as well as internal inconsistencies and mistakes in the novels.”

Let's see what happens.

Whose side are U on here?????

[Image via WENN.]



175 comments to “Don't Eff With Potter!”

More comments: [1] 2 »

  1. krystle says – reply to this


    1

    maybe this time i'll be first!!

  2. Hippo says – reply to this


    2

    Go JK. Its your world. Potter rulez.

  3. terry says – reply to this


    3

    Jo Rowling should be the one to write it even if we don't get it for a couple of years. She's been really good to the fansites they should show the same courtesy.

  4. Yaya says – reply to this


    4

    J.K. Rowling of course

  5. casey says – reply to this


    5

    shut up.

    I'm on Rowling's side!! Those with no talent should stop trying to capitalize on her work & do their own!!

  6. Jessppp says – reply to this


    6

    Obviously JKs side! who would buy a rip off book anyways?? oh yeah people have cough cough series of unfortunate events!

  7. s says – reply to this


    7

    let him do his little book, he obviously has no life if he has studied it that much

  8. Sarah A says – reply to this


    8

    The more Harry Potter the merrier! I'd buy Rowling's book but not the other one. I never buy the stupid books that 3rd parties publish about HP. They're almost always a waste of time.

  9. LuLU says – reply to this


    9

    1st bitches!

  10. TEAM AMERICA says – reply to this


    10

    2nd

  11. Fufubunny says – reply to this


    11

    Definitely on hers! What a scam…steal her creative work to make money.

  12. poop says – reply to this


    12

    poop

  13. THE UNMATCHED BATHOG says – reply to this


    13

    so if i want to write a book about harry potters trip to the supermarket i get sued? seems kinda dicey.

  14. luna says – reply to this


    14

    Solidly on her side. Authors should retain the rights to their own material. There should be nothing published based on an author's work without the author's permission.

  15. QED says – reply to this


    15

    Rowling, obviously — she already announced the encyclopedia that she wanted to create in order to fund children's charities. The webguy just wants the cash!

  16. double d says – reply to this


    16

    first!!!

    j.k. needs to get over it!

  17. jessica says – reply to this


    17

    JKKKK. those are my intials hahaha

    .swimchick.net

  18. l says – reply to this


    18

    first

  19. bella says – reply to this


    19

    LOVE harry potter!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. stevs says – reply to this


    20

    rowlings, no doubt

  21. THE BATHOG OF YORE says – reply to this


    21

    she has trillions. everyone knows potter is hers. i should be able to "sample" a little of her work like rap musicians can

  22. kaitlyn says – reply to this


    22

    She better win that lawsuit!!

  23. nv says – reply to this


    23

    Lol i wanna c the outcome!

  24. Kt says – reply to this


    24

    obvi J.K's…. she did all the work, she should have the rights

  25. Jack says – reply to this


    25

    OH I HOPE JK WINS! She rocks some serious ass bitches!

  26. Astrochicks.com says – reply to this


    26

    She should get a piece of the action. Harry has made billions for people.

  27. Vane says – reply to this


    27

    OF course JK Rowling's side… It is total BS what the dude from Lexicon is trying to do.

  28. nv says – reply to this


    28

    Lol i wanna c the outcome! Hey she desreves her money!

  29. alfy says – reply to this


    29

    first!

  30. yeah says – reply to this


    30

    ROWLING

  31. mom of 3 says – reply to this


    31

    J.K. Rowling has every right to be angry about others profiting off of her work. She allows fan sites to use her material, b/c they don't make any money. This publishing firm / author is trying to make a profit from her creativity. She is correct to go take them to court.

  32. lalaland says – reply to this


    32

    Rowling all the way!! first?

  33. jstmekathy says – reply to this


    33

    I think she should just be grateful these people worship her books so much that they want to put together something like that.

  34. jen says – reply to this


    34

    shes LAME and her books are GAY! no offense perez :-)

  35. maria says – reply to this


    35

    THAT GUY WHO OWNS MUGGLENET.COM MAKES A SIX FIGURE SALARY OFF OF JK ROWLING. SHE DOESN'T KNOW. HOPE SHE FINDS OUT NOW.

  36. lauren says – reply to this


    36

    yeah definitely rowling!

  37. lamia says – reply to this


    37

    JK all the way

  38. Rowling says – reply to this


    38

    Rowling & WB are right. The book should be stopped.

  39. jackie says – reply to this


    39

    I haven't read a single Harry Potter book or gone to seen any of the movies.

    But I agree with J.K. Rowling

  40. heather says – reply to this


    40

    Im on ROWLINGS side ! :)

  41. Stevie says – reply to this


    41

    Let's rip off someone elses idea to make some money!
    Lame. I hope your book fails.
    Go JK!

  42. morgan says – reply to this


    42

    It's JK's world and we're all just living in it. JK all the way!!

  43. Caity says – reply to this


    43

    Nobody should be permitted to make money off her work.. even if they do write their own analysis.. it's still based off her original ideas.

    She'll win though.. there's no way she won't.

    Go JK!

  44. ELIANAAA says – reply to this


    44

    GO ROWLING!!!

  45. kiki says – reply to this


    45

    copyrights! he shouldnt make a profit off her work.

  46. sarah says – reply to this


    46

    Surprised she hasn't sued Mugglenet yet! They made tons off their book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonder why she hasn't sued them yet. Kind of stupid she's suing the Lexicon and not mugglenet. lexicon has helped her more than mugglenet ever has.

    Hope she goes after mugglenet.com for their profits!!!!

  47. heather says – reply to this


    47

    SUE MUGGLENET
    SUE MUGGLENET
    SUE MUGGLENET
    SUE MUGGLENET
    SUE MUGGLENET
    SUE MUGGLENET
    SUE MUGGLENET
    SUE MUGGLENET

  48. Jacki says – reply to this


    48

    As much as I love the Harry Potter series, I have to agree with RDR books. Rowling does not have complete rights over supplementary readings connected to the Harry Potter series. If the court was 2 rule in her favor, then this scenario can be applied to other popular works. There would be no supplementary reading on Dickens, shakespeare, etc.

  49. jo says – reply to this


    49

    wow!! doesn't she have enough fucking money - give me a break!!

  50. Kay says – reply to this


    50

    JK all the WAY

  51. harry potter lover says – reply to this


    51

    it should be j.k. because its her series. i will only buy her encyclopedia because she knows more about it than anyone else!!

  52. Tony says – reply to this


    52

    Of course Rowling is right. Some of you guys are stupid. Why should he get paid off of her genius? He's a dumb asshole.

  53. Mimi says – reply to this


    53

    Does she honestly need any more money? I hate greedy rich people.

  54. mjn says – reply to this


    54

    JK's right on the money (hahahha) it's her creativeness that made HP. Also, she is donationg the proceeds to charity, which she has done frequently in the past. She has made her $$$ (I don't have the lb. sign!) ….but has not forgotten her days of being poor and writing HP on napkins in a little coffee house.

  55. Meg says – reply to this


    55

    JK all the way, you cant tell me that its fair for someone to take ideas that are ALL hers, and make money off of it. Thats just wrong.

  56. Craig says – reply to this


    56

    It is a reference work. I don't see how she can possible prevent someone from writing a reference work just because she also wants to write one. Any library is filled with similar books of literary analysis and reference from Shakespeare on–probably very few, if any, are "authorized" by the author. The analysis portion is original and something she can't offer in her own book (she can offer her own analysis but not someone else's). I'm really surprised this is headed to court because she is certain to loose.

  57. mjn says – reply to this


    57

    Re: Mimi – why do some people fault her for wanting to maintain ownership over her creation? She can make as much money as possible; cheers to her, I say. I don't understand jealous people who will only allow you to make so much money, then after a point, you don't deserve any more no matter how hard YOU have worked for it? Maybe you should think up a story as good as hers and we can tell you that you can only earn so much on that idea.

    Last, read the article again…the procees are going to charity.

  58. ????? says – reply to this


    58

    Leave Harry Potter to JK Rowling!!!

  59. WHAT A GREEDY CUNT says – reply to this


    59

    UM,EXCUES MS. ROWLAND…HAVENT U MADE ENOUGH MONEY OFF OF THIS HARRY POTTER SHIT? GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE.ITS JUST A WHOS WHO/WHATS WHAT GUIDE FOR PEOPLE…JEEZE..GET OFF YR HIGH HORSE GREEDY CUNT.

  60. Pay It Back says – reply to this


    60

    DEAR MS. ROWLING,
    YOU HAVE ADMITTED TO COLLECTING WELFARE FOR SOME TIME BEFORE YOU BECAME RICH,HAVE YOU PAID BACK THE WELFARE MONEY YOU RECEIVED?YOU KNOW YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO RE-PAY SOCIETY BACK…UM OK.

  61. Hilary is a Liar says – reply to this


    61

    I am no Harry Potter fan but I support JK Rowling in this. It is her work and they have no right to profit from it. At least not while she's alive, lol.

  62. nenya says – reply to this


    62

    JKR is a witch, who always want more money, money, money, money, money.

  63. ariel says – reply to this


    63

    team rowling

  64. Stephanie says – reply to this


    64

    JK has every right to maintain control over her characters and creations, but if I'm reading this correctly, the book by Vander Ark & co. sounds like more of an analysis of her work - that's certainly protected by copyright law. Maybe the problem is their calling it an encyclopedia? In truth, a new voice that could add detailed and fresh perspective to her work might be good — JK can't provide that as the characters are her "babies." I hope they find a way to compromise on this!

  65. Leroy says – reply to this


    65

    I'd do her

  66. jenny says – reply to this


    66

    HOW ABOUT SHE GIVES SOME OF HER GAGILLION DOLLARS SHE ALREADY HAS TO CHARITY?! greedy bitch. she cant spend all her money in her lifetime…shes just trying to play the charity card to keep her greed feed in motion.

  67. john. says – reply to this


    67

    did people even READ what was said?!

    shes not suing so SHE can profit from it, she was going to publish for CHARITY.

    basically if this internet fan guy makes money off of the book…he's basically leeching from JK's talents and taking money that would have gone to charity.

    there is no way in hell he will win.

  68. [A]sha says – reply to this


    68

    JK Rocks & can do whatever the x she wants! ( :
    potter rules!

  69. PEREZ IS STUPID.... says – reply to this


    69

    .
    .
    .
    .WHO'S SIDE? J.K.'S….IT'S HERS…
    AND SHE WANTS TO DONATE CHARITY..
    DUH.
    .

    ..
    .
    .
    .

  70. Jaclyn Gaynor says – reply to this


    70

    TEAM ROWLING!!!!

  71. apor says – reply to this


    71

    Re: WHAT A GREEDY CUNT – SHE's donating the money for CHARITY you moron!!!! You call that greed?

  72. Steve says – reply to this


    72

    I'm on JKRowling's side.

    It's hers to decide.

    Go for it! Even though some people tell otherwise.

  73. L2Read! says – reply to this


    73

    To the knob who called her a greedy cunt, she wants to donate the proceeds of her book to charity, and ofcourse she pays tax, she has certainly contributed more to the UK's budget then you have, or ever will

  74. adam says – reply to this


    74

    the thing is that jk rowling basically has no choice. copyright law boils down to that if you do not actively work to protect your copyrights, meaning suing at the drop of a hat, you can lose the rights to your own work. thats beside the point however, she does seem to be in the right.

  75. Marc D says – reply to this


    75

    I'd do her.

  76. Mark says – reply to this


    76

    Re: Pay It Back

    I suspect the £200 million paid in taxes - not forgetting the millions donated to charity every year - are more than pay back for society.

  77. WOMBAT says – reply to this


    77

    .
    .
    .
    Re: jenny
    CAN YOU READ,
    DUM-DUM?
    SHE WANTS TO GIVE THE PROCEEDS FROM HER VERSION OF THE ENCYCLOPEDIA TO…….
    ………………………. CHARITY……..
    GOOD IDEA, HUH?
    .
    .
    .
    IF THE INTERNET GUY WINS…BYE-BYE DONATIONS.
    GET IT?
    .
    .
    ..

  78. Tony says – reply to this


    78

    Re: WHAT A GREEDY CUNT
    I will make sure to tell Kelly ROWLAND what you had to say. No opinions if you can't even get the people right.

    P.S. Reference books are okay, but this guy is really trying to rip off the encyclopedia. I say throw him in the psych ward. A fan that got too crazy!!!

  79. jk rules says – reply to this


    79

    No one has any right to touch her stuff. NO ONE!!! It will ruin the world of HP and that world needs to be left alone. And what's with the horns on the picture. Not cool.

  80. saywhaaaat says – reply to this


    80

    JK Rowling OWNS that shiz, literally
    she would write a better encyclopedia than some random anyways

  81. Jamey says – reply to this


    81

    Rowling of course. If the ones writing the "HP Lexicon" are really doing it to provide their insight and not for the money, they wouldn't sell it, they'd make it free.

  82. corinne says – reply to this


    82

    although i normally would agree with rowling, isn't it kind of weird that she allows the websites to sell their harry potter-related merch? i mean, mugglenet released a book of predictions of what would happen in the final book, and they made profit off of it. obviously she wouldn't be able to release a book of predictions, but it seems a little wrong to sue a website for wanting to release something just because you were going to do it yourself.

  83. Christine says – reply to this


    83

    Rowlings - there is a differnece between putting free info out there (like the encyclopedia was online), and CHARGING for something liek that. The website is basically a cheat sheet for anyone who doesnt want to read the book. They just want to cash in now because everything "Potter" sells big. I hope she wins. Otherwise, fansites will go extinct.

  84. Cass says – reply to this


    84

    JKR gave the Lexicon a fansite award, admitting that she herself used the site to to fact check and reference things when writing the latter books of the series. It's reference material, and he should be able to publish it.

  85. DLR says – reply to this


    85

    Let's make one thing clear. This person is NOT re-writing Harry Potter or making a spin-off of Harry Potter. This person is simply taking all the Harry Potter books and compiling a "Cliff's Notes" reference book that will be in the form of an encyclopedia. It will be like The Harry Potter Lexicon web-site, except in a book format. I think JRK is doing this because she did not come up with the idea in the first place, and it was only when she found out about this plan for a Harry Potter encyclopedia she is like "hey, sue them!" If Shakespeare or Jane Austen were alive today would they go around suing people for writing reference books about their wirtings? I mean, come on people, this is a book that is repeating what is already on the The Harry Potter Lexicon web-site.

  86. e-tard says – reply to this


    86

    Prince doesn't even allow fan sites—he will send you a DMCA if he finds his picture on your site. I think Rowling is being generous in that she allows the non-profit fan sites to exist in the first place, unlike many other artists.

  87. ad says – reply to this


    87

    Team JKR

  88. Ruby says – reply to this


    88

    Law says if the author and publishing company can prove in court that his Lexicon has original analysis, review, or commentary, it's within his right to publish the book, even if it's her original ideas. Why else do you think she hasn't sued one of the hundreds of other authors who have profited off of writing books about her series?

  89. KG says – reply to this


    89

    Jo Rowling, obviously.

    There's a reason why Jo is suing the Lexicon rather than Mugglenet. The book that Mugglenet wrote was one based on theories for the seventh book, basically fan-written and had nothing exclusive. The Lexicon has information from the series that many other sites do not have. Had Steve said that the profits would go to charity, like Jo plans to do with her encyclopedia, it might have been a different story. Jo has spent SEVENTEEN years making Harry Potter what it is today, Steve has no right to take any credit from her work.

    Jo isn't going to make any personal profit off of her encyclopedia, she's donating everything to charity.

  90. Heather says – reply to this


    90

    GO JO…..SHE RULES.

  91. Sam says – reply to this


    91

    Steve Vander Ark is NOT creating anything original — he is basically ripping out the plot, reorganizing it a bit & making a profit.

    And it's not "even" Warner Bros that has stepped in, they initiated it bc they own the rights to HP (not publishing) & have to be seen as protecting them in order to maintain the rights. And of course, JKR is added on bc she is the author. But she has every right to do so. She has made no secret of it. And Steve & RDR Books are acting very arrogant & entitled about the whole thing.

    JO ALL THE WAY!

  92. Cecilia says – reply to this


    92

    Go JK!!!! Potter is her world and what she says goes!!

  93. J.K Rowling copied ideas from other books and... says – reply to this


    93

    WTF???,,this bitch copied her story concepts from a book published in 1978 called "A school for witches". also she copied some ideas from "the hobit."

  94. rose says – reply to this


    94

    Team JK, obviously! It's her world, it's her money. And she decides to donate it to charity. Period.

  95. Garce E. says – reply to this


    95

    JK Rowling.

  96. brin says – reply to this


    96

    What exactly is this guy's argument? "I'm entitled to make money off of her ideas" ?

    JK is right here. She was being very gracious before; visiting the website and endorsing it on her own site. But that is a free site with discussion from mulitple sources. A book would be one guy rehashing her work and making a profit. No go.

  97. bella says – reply to this


    97

    fuck that guy! hes just trying to get money out of her success!!!! GO JK!!!!!!!!!!!

  98. Affy says – reply to this


    98

    How dare you put horns on the lovely J/K.

  99. GoRDR! says – reply to this


    99

    I'm all for RDR making the book. She only said she was going to make one of her own after this book was announced. Then she said "oh yea, I'm giving the money to charity". Uh, huh. Sure. Right.

  100. Emma says – reply to this


    100

    J.k.'s side. no one else should talk about harry.

More comments: [1] 2 »