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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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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
Auror
Points: 2022
Lac_Ov_Imajinashun says:
I hope they weren't copyrighted! I haven't seen that article before, I usually hang out in the forums and check the news rarely, but when I looked at it today, it didn't really look like Ron, but you could tell it was him. If you know what I mean. Sorry, I'm making no sense here. Don't mind me...
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 1:16 PM EST
Queen of the Yarn Ball
Points: 3829
red&gold says:
I enjoyed the cartoons, but it was a bold copyright no-no... It was obvious who they were talking about.
Ms. Ranger- Hermione
Topper- Potter
Longshanks- Longbottom
Snappy - Snape
McDonagal- McGonogal
Rumbledoore- Dumbledore
Madame Houche- Madame Hooch...
It is a very thin line... They should have asked for permission before they did it...
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 1:53 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2229
Ms.MikhailBlack says:
oh Goodness i hope they just leave them alone. I hate Copyright stuff, especailly silly ones like this.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 2:06 PM EST
Student
Points: 240
Dark Forest says:
I think the magazine was really harmless and had no offense to J.K.R.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 2:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1098
LilyP says:
Well, that's too bad. I thought it was pretty funny. I hope JKR doesn't get too worked up about it. I don't think it was meant to be insulting or anything. I hope this works out.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 3:21 PM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3157
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
I think the Army was completely wrong in what they did. Even if the characters are "different" they definitly should have asked to get permission. I'm sure JKR and Warner Bros. wouldn't have minded it being printed to help the soldiers if they had just asked. Although I think it's wrong, I also don't think it wise to go against the Army. They'll win whatever case is up against them and I don't want to see Warner Bros. or JKR going broke on us or anything. Something should be done, but they definitly need to watch their step around every corner.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 3:21 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2857
Oliver Wood is Fit says:
If they start sueing I will go crazy! This whole compensation culture that seems to be rife in America and is now taking off in the UK appears to me to be awfully unethical, I wish it wasnt promoted so.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 3:23 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 418
Tonks85 says:
Wow. I hope it doesn't end up in suing. I agree with Oliver Wood is Fit (the fact that Wood is HOT!) but also that the whole suing thing is crazy here in America and I don't know about the UK cause I don't live there but i'm sure it's not far behind. I hope they can resolve this out of court.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 3:27 PM EST
Squib
Points: 173
honorcode says:
Well then all I got to say is they should have known better.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 3:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1614
hermy-ninny712 says:
Oooh...They better hope that blows over because if not, they are going to be in some trouble!!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:05 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 639
Cameron the House Elf says:
They didn't sell it to the soldiers and they didn't make money off of it. Mad magazine can make a parody of all kinds of stuff without being investigated.
They weren't trying to rob JO. I think it's a bit over zealous to go after just anyone. I'm sure the images that are used on this web site alone are copywritten images, why then does HPANA get to use real images for their site and the army can't make referances to a pop culture icon?
If they are making money off of Jo's work then she needs to go after them. If what they are doing is taking away from what she's doing that's fine. But if it's just a simple parody, it's not really hurting anyone or stealing from her.
Where's the line between fan work and what the military did. Why aren't those who write Fan Fiction investigated.
Is it because they don't have deep pockets? I don't think that legally they sj=hould be able to do much, the names were signifigantly altered, images were no wheere near real. I'd say it was altered more than 33% and I believe there's some legality there for the military side. Besides, don't you think the Military has complience people who know the law enough to put a stop on something that wasn't legal?
I love JK Rowling and her work, but when you make something that's as huge as Harry Potter, you need to realize there will be referances in the global popular culture lexicon. As long as it's not trying to rob money from your intellectual property, it shouldn't be an issue.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:10 PM EST
Points: 3723
emma'shockeyplayer says:
Oh wah.... who cares... if its funy dont touch it... she doesnt need to worry... and plus they really would have asked her if they thought they needed it because thats how america is... she cant live with it than... i dont kno... do something else... it didnt even look like the characters! Its what a parody is!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Woodfan says:
Aww, come on! They were just trying to have some fun
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 916
SnapesSlave says:
A parody is a parody is a parody. Get over it!! I would be pleased to be parodied in a way thats not offensive and for a good cause.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:33 PM EST
Witch
Points: 755
harrypotter equalslife says:
Oh i really hope they can sort all this out!
*Theresa*
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1506
Paint Horse says:
It would appear that Warner Brothers, has some lawyers sitting around, with too much time on their hands.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 5:54 PM EST
Gryffindor Lioness
Points: 9862
~*GeauxTigers*~ says:
Well, I can understand how she would be offended by her works being made fun of. I wasn't amused by it either. But I don't think you should sue the whole US Army for it.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 6:15 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 42
joekool89jb says:
I don't think JKR should do anything even if it is illegal. I mean, Its the army. An armay in a war at that.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 6:28 PM EST
Squib
Points: 166
Branny says:
Wow, that's crazy. Who would have guessed the U.S. army? I don't think that they'd infringe a copywright on purpose anyway. Would they? I sure hope not atleast.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 6:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1847
AngelaVB11 says:
Oh who really cares if they did that!!! It was all in good fun. Don't the peple from Harry Potter make enough money as it is?? GET OVER IT!!!!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 7:25 PM EST
Lady of Godric's Hollow
Points: 5292
GodricsGirl says:
I think that ey are right to look into it.
It took Rowling years to polish her material...which is still incomplete and anyone who wishes to so obviously parody it should have to seek her permission. Army or not. Funny or not.
HP is hers and the similarities beteen her characters and the cartoon are undeniable.
"They do not look like any of the characters from Harry Potter. "
Are you kidding me?
That is such a follish statement that you can only scratch your head in amazement.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 7:59 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 51
Toms_#1_girl says:
Ohhh woah! That's bizzare! Wonder what will happen!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 8:15 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 20
CarolynTheCat says:
I don't think there is going to be any copywrie infringement. Mad magazine, spoofs & parodies things all the time, has done at least two on Harry Potter, using names and likenesses to the actors. And I don't think they would have done it a second time if they had gotten into trouble the first time.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 8:28 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Kathy_Riddle says:
Im so bored so ill just comment in this...again!
the thingys were so funny but so wrong... its right to jo to put the army in trouble!
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 8:55 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1542
Supreme Mugwump says:
Surely if people are not making money from these "spoofs" there is nothing wrong with making fun of it to encourage others. Fair enough if they were making money out of it, but they're not.
Posted Feb 7, 2005 at 9:09 PM EST
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