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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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Muggle
Points: 91
numbskull816 says:
Wow, I'm glad Jo didn't try to take it any further. That probably would have been to much stress for her on top of the new book and her new daughter.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:26 PM EST
The English Seeker
Points: 4915
Champion Seeker says:
Haha! That's some funny stuff! I'd hate to be them right now!
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:27 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
Oh no. I hope they can sort thngs out. The spoofs are funny though.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:27 PM EST
Gryffindor Ghost
Points: 9860
Professor Cat says:
Wow-yeah I agree with you Joe-I'd hate to be them right now!
Well done to Hpana, if it was for you who posted the scans that brought this to their attention!
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:31 PM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
Wow that is something.
And what if it was because the cartoon was posted on HPANA!
They might have seen it on this site.
That's really something!
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:34 PM EST
Princess of Anime
Points: 7530
Allenoray Mozart says:
Well I think the comics were funny ^^ hope nothing comes of the matter :)
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 733
PotterHoney says:
Ha! Wow, I just did an assignment on copyright infringement for my computer class!!! I hope they gave Jo her credit when they printed the comic...what a coincidence;)
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:37 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 353
Ms. White17 says:
Oh come on, seriously, it's just a parody and with a good mesage behind it. J.K. should let it slide.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:40 PM EST
Mischief Manager
Points: 9029
judyqeen says:
He didn't want to look like the characters or the actors? I think they did look like the actors. It was funny, and they weren't making any money off of the spoofs.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:44 PM EST
Dark Arts Professor
Points: 3747
Ivy St.Claire says:
They drawings didn't look like the characters. I am blowinf raspberries right now. Yes, they do! Rumbledore looked just like Richard Harris, and the Harry and Hermione characters (whatever their names were) would have been recognizable anywhere. Scoff! Scoff, I say!!
But props for getting Alabama mentioned on the news browser.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 874
Together Forever, H/Hr... says:
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. I'm not sure if I think it would be fair of them to sue them but they really did something wrong... I didn't really like the comics in the first place becasue they were just really really stupid but I don't care.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:52 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 61
Zankou says:
Ouch. That must bite for the magazine. I don't think they should be prosecuted, though. Its all in good fun.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 991
LoonyLuna11 says:
The Army should just fess up that they didn't ask for permission to use it, but not lie and say that the drawings didn't look like the characters. Of course the drawings looked like the characters!
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:53 PM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
I confess that I thought it was a parody that was done with permission. Apparently not. Oh, well...I'll be anxious to see what happens.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 7:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 606
PolarisPrewett says:
I think it's rather silly, if it does bear too close a resemblance that's a pity but I can't see Rowling begrudging the US Military a laugh. Besides, its free advertisment
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:01 PM EST
Long Way from Happy
Points: 2952
OEHFICE says:
I don't think the US Army would do something illegal. I hope it's just a misunderstanding.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:18 PM EST
Student
Points: 227
ObsessedFan says:
It's interesting to see what JKR and her publishers can find just can skimming a couple of fan sites. Too bad for the magazine.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1208
danradcliffelovr says:
What would be the point in fighting over this anyways. I'm glad JK didn't take this any further. It would probably just be too much of a hassle.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:21 PM EST
Astro Zombie
Points: 2577
Fallen Bomb says:
That's just stupid. It's a parody. Does new grounds have to pay? they have enough money already I mean it's not like it'll bankrupt them.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:22 PM EST
True Gryffie
Points: 2577
Harry_Potter_Lover says:
Haha! They said something about Alabama...I am from Alabama! Sorry, thought that was like really cool!!! Anyways...what if this all happened because of HPANA?!(caps off) Hehe!
~*~Grand Poobah~*~
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:25 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3526
-Steph- says:
I found this more amusing then the actual parody :p
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:35 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Kathy_Riddle says:
Uh-oh.. theyre in thouble...
But it was funny! live it there!
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:38 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2624
ravenmadluna says:
haha wow, I dont believe that, thats kind of pathetic. I think so at least ...
but wow, HPANA is pretty infulential I guess, maybe she actually does go on this site on a regular basis, thats so cool.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 947
Perry Hotter says:
Im agreeing with -Steph-
Thats just being picky. From what I can tell, nobody's lives are being ruined from this one thing. Its probably best not to make a big deal.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:40 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 21
kayokochan_88 says:
Wow that is dumb. I can't believe they did that. Well, all I know is that I love Rupert Grint and if they pull a fast one on him I will be there to drag them to their dooms. I love you all!
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:46 PM EST
Potions Master
Points: 4779
Half-Blood Prince says:
JKR and WB have a great opportunity to collect. The Army's case is pretty weak and I imagine there will be a settlement.
Posted Feb 5, 2005 at 8:50 PM EST
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