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FEBRUARY 5, 2005 at 7:21 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Sunday Herald
Representatives of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. are investigating possible copyright infringement centering around images HPANA posted last week from an issue of the U.S. Army's official Preventive Maintenance Monthly. The cartoon magazine, distributed to 80,000 army personnel, featured a multi-page parody of "Harry Potter" in the publication's May 2004 issue.
A spokesman for Rowling has confirmed
that they were looking into the matter and that the U.S. Army never approached them or Warner Bros. prior to its release.
According to Ken Crunk, based at Redstone arsenal in Alabama:
"The drawings were done by a contracted artist for us. They do not look like any of the characters from Harry Potter. We are very careful when we do these things not to copy images because that would be illegal. We use them to encourage soldiers to read the mag."
A U.S. Army spokesman added:
"Each issue of the magazine is reviewed by the aviation and missile command legal office. After reviewing this particular issue the legal office concluded that there was nothing done that was impermissible and that the illustrations were clearly in the scope of parody and that, therefore, there was no need to seek permission from JK Rowling."
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Mage of Celestial Melody
Points: 3324
Telos says:
uh that is pretty weird....hopefully they work it out. I don't think the US army would want to get in trouble for a stupid thing like that
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1246
TybaltTheCannibal says:
Wow that's not going to be a fun process. Copyright matters are always a little bit of a grey area. All I can say is that I hope it all gets settled quickly!
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:57 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
Personally I think the publishers of the cartoon should've asked permission but I don't think it's worth getting into a lawsuit on JK's part. I mean it's not like they're selling the cartoons or trying to make a profit, right?
Again, I'd feel differently if it was over someone or company trying to profit illegally or a case of intentional copyright infringement. Whatever the case it's none of my business and hope it works out for everyone involved.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 9:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 204
CuTiEpIe_LiA says:
This is just stupid i mean its not like its offensive.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 9:07 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 340
magiviking says:
I hope they don't get sued. I mean, its the army, for crying out loud. That just wouldn't look good for this country. Anyway, they didn't look like the characters, so I don't think it will be a problem. Hopefully...
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 9:07 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 68
hermione#2 says:
How dare they! You go girl!!!!!
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 9:23 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 399
Crazie4Dan says:
Im confuzzled. Whats the problem?
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:46 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4469
PowerGranger says:
I'm afraid I have to agree with JKR and WB that the article warrants looking in to. That doesn't mean that anybody is being sued. It is likely since the parody was pretty widely viewed by people here on HPANA, who are (for the most part, I guess), not in the US Army, JKR and WB want to be sure that the material isn't breaking any laws. I'm sure the issue isn't money, but protecting the property. If you let one slide without investigation, you may open the door to many, many more tries to push the copyright laws. Just what I think.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 526
Elphaba Thropp says:
Not good. Not good at all. Bad U.S army! It's bad enough we're disliked; then you go and do this. 'Tis bad. Bad. "Hey non nony, nony, hey non nony"(Shakespeare IV, v, 165).
"Hamlet"--- W. Shakespeare, Act IV, scene v, line 165.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1921
Kirathena says:
I hope it can be worked out. It seems a silly thing to have a big thing over.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:46 PM EST
Squib
Points: 110
simply_me says:
They should have asked for permission first. Still, I hope they don't get into too much trouble for this. Hope everything will be solved soon.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:56 PM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
There was no need to ask permission from JK Rowling? They should have. Its bad not to.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 1:24 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Alessandra says:
Celedora said:
I'm not sure whether or not it's actually illegal, but if it is I hope they get what's coming to them. I think it's safe to say that I'm not the biggest fan of the US military.
That's a pretty wretched thing to say. But those of us who serve will continue to do so, that you may choose to 'not be a fan' of us simply because we've chosen this path in life. Perhaps I shall decide not to be a big fan of small business owners...but then again, perhaps I shall not judge them all based on you.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 2:20 AM EST
Squib
Points: 128
macmerdo says:
In general, I am all for using famous characters to get messages across, especially if it is done with humour.
I do, however, think it is only manners to ask to use somebody elses idea and show them what you have done.
I hope that there isn't too much kerfuffle over this.
I hope the WB aren't going to go down the Disney route of suing anyone and everyone.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:41 AM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
What would be the point in fighting over this anyways. I'm glad JK didn't take this any further. Well I hope that they don't get in trouble for something that they didn't do, but it did look a little weird to me.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 8:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1445
PotionMaster says:
People are just to sue happy these days. I love JK but I just do not understand what the big deal is.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 8:57 AM EST
Witch
Points: 508
SiriusAboutHp says:
That sucks for them. I thought the magazine was funny, but I still dont really like any Harry Potter spoofs. Some are funny, but many times they're just crude.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 9:40 AM EST
Witch
Points: 532
Ronald_Weasley says:
Oh!!
Anyways if they did it they should ask J.K.!!!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 9:55 AM EST
Cryptologist
Points: 3018
Veronica Smethley says:
I don't know why they are doing this.... its ridiculous!
Regards
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 10:08 AM EST
Headless Hunt Captain
Points: 2887
Dark_Wizard_Chaser says:
They should have still taken extra precautions before releasing this info!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 10:33 AM EST
Witch
Points: 756
MeerzBeerz says:
Oh dear, well someone is in a bit of a pickle now arent they!! I have to say, there is something quite comical about this whole scenario.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 10:45 AM EST
Squib
Points: 188
Magnolia says:
I do think that the drawings look like the characters of Harry Potter and they should have asked permission, but it's not so big "crime"...
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 11:38 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 10
Starspunsilver says:
Well, I think that as people who write Fan fiction Parodies and the like usually use disclaimers then the makers of what is, after all, supposed to be an exemplary example of "rule-following" (The US army) should have responded likewise.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 11:55 AM EST
Harry's Soul-Mate
Points: 3337
Lea says:
I can't believe they haven't approached JKR and WB to ask about copyright!!!... I mean, maybe they thought it wasn't necessary for a mere parody, but still... there are laws....and they should know better!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 12:15 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1158
Moonbake says:
Oh my what a mess this turned into. The mag was funny!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 12:37 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 418
Yez says:
Whay didnt they bloody ask JKR before doing it, i mean im sure she would say yes because it is for a good cause,right? anyway, its not the funniest spoof of harry potter. MAD magazine's spoof are hilarious.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 12:56 PM EST
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