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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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Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1206
*Jinxed* says:
Hmmm... It's a bit of political correctness gone mad, really... I think that doing a spoof of JKR's work is actually complimenting her work, and it shows how widely read the HP books really are... can't people take a joke anymore? I hope no problems are caused by it!
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 7:18 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 364
penguin animagus says:
Well...it was rather rude of them not to ask before they published something that was so obviously a parody, but then again the Barry Trotter books survived...Cx
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:00 AM EST
St. Mungo's Mental Patient
Points: 41829
Phil_ says:
Yeah well maybe parodies should still be seen by the original author, but yeah people have to be careful, if they aren't going to show the author first...
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:03 AM EST
Witch
Points: 527
Coura Stone says:
The comics was boring. It isn't worth all this stress!
I think Jo should just shrug and go on!
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:30 AM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
The comics were not intended to steal JK's ideas.
It probably would have been better just to ask her first, just to avoid all the prosecuting. But I hope it doesn't continue.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:44 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1191
mrsmad says:
I think the spoof was really funny! I guess they should of got permission first. Hope they staighten everything out. I bet she did see it on HPANA.I bet that makes Cheeser & the rest of the Moderators pretty happy;)
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:46 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 439
mrs_r.weasley says:
Hmm..other people and magazines have done similar things but they didn't get investigated. Hmm...
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 8:52 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 366
GryffindorsBeauty says:
Hope they sort things out. This is funny.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 9:13 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 539
Emma's true fan and lover says:
imagine, the military in a tight spot, I hope J.k.Rowling does'nt go to court for this, she might lose a lot of money, after all, she is taking on the military which is very influential and has the government's backing.
I do believe cheaters should be dealt with and dealt swiftly. Oh well, that's the life of a popular fictional character.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 9:43 AM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
This is pretty hysteical! It's also pretty pathetic. Got to makes sure Warner Brothers doesn't loose a buck!
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:00 AM EST
Squib
Points: 164
quidditchfreak333 says:
Exactly what they are supposed to do. JKR has rights on Harry Potter. It is her way of making money. Don't take it away from her...
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:09 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27761
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Woah that is really weird. I wonder what will happen now....
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:09 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1737
HermyG13 says:
I can't believe they were stupid enough to not get permission!! Why would they do that?!! This isn't going to look pretty...
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:15 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
I hope this does not get blown out of proportion. It is fine to protect copying of works directly. But paraodies are allowable.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:19 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1347
Ripley Turner says:
I hope that they don't go after it any further. I don't think it's that big of a deal. It would just be a waste of time.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:19 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 405
DracoLover says:
Wow. Thats horrible that Warner Bros. would go after the U.S. Army. There are plenty of parodies out there, so if they want to sue one, then they should sue them all. Such as the ones on Nick, or SNL, or any other number of shows that do parodies on HP. I don't think its a good idea to go after the U.S. Army, but hey, what do I know.
I just hope it all works out for everyone.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:27 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1941
tsvety says:
It was funny, but ...I hope they don't do some illegal stuff!!!
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:38 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2976
Apollyon Pringle says:
Hmm I wonder if because she got on HPANA that she found this out. How interesting! I wonder if she actually posts on here.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:43 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
How can they say thier cartoons didnt look anything like the characters? They look exactly like the characters.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 10:55 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1805
Swimangel57 says:
Wow!!! I really hope they didn't publish the magazine illegally! That would be awful! It was very cool. I hope they get this problem fixed quickly.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:06 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 482
HP4Evr says:
Haha, what fun, thats good stuff that is!
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:08 AM EST
The Labyrinthine Brain
Points: 3337
DevilsSnare says:
Yeah, people need to be very careful of copyright laws. Even when doing parodies in widely distributed magazines, you should get permission from the company first. I hope this matter is resolved without too many legal implications.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:26 AM EST
Vampire
Points: 2939
Dansgirl34 says:
Well...that sucks.
I hope they don't get into to much trouble. I thought the magazine was funny.
Lets hope that everything can get fixed and be okay.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:28 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1717
courty says:
A parody is free advertising for any copyrighted material. Maybe the fuss that was put up was for extra coverage and to keep HP fresh in everyone's minds after the big to-do after the release date was given died down a bit. Look at how many posts are already up here about it. I really can't see JKR being too upset about the parody - goodness knows that there are thousands out there (fan fics included). Sounds like a WB thing to me.
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:38 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1636
bubblenut21 says:
Well that is interesting! I hope that whatever they decide to do, Jo benefits from it!
*bubblenut21*
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:46 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 412
*Pigwidgeon* says:
He he he. Well there in trouble BIG trouble, besides you should never tamper with a classic
Posted Feb 6, 2005 at 11:47 AM EST
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