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FEBRUARY 25, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Times
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, has sued
the web site eBay for the sale of illegal electronic copies of her books in India.
According to Neil Blair, Rowling’s legal adviser at the Christopher Little Literary Agency:
Over the years eBay has appeared to be unwilling to control sellers on their site offering pirated or forged Harry Potter items for sale to innocent fans. We have asked eBay on numerous occasions to assist by taking preventative steps to avoid these sales - steps that we are aware they can introduce. As these requests were not heeded we had no choice but to seek judicial intervention.
J. K. Rowling has previously warned fans on her own website about the sale of fake signed books and other pirated Harry Potter e-books on eBay.
As recently as January JKR posted a warning on her site about illegal versions of the books and has stated on numerous occasions that her books are not available for download.
She has also warned fans about the number of fraudulently autographed and unauthorized items that have appeared for sale on eBay. We also reported back in February that no e-book version of Deathly Hallows would be published as this helps with the "growing incidents of piracy."
UPDATE: Today eBay India denied JK's claims that they have done anything wrong.
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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1550
the_girl_who_lived89 says:
Good-good! I'm glad she's taking a stand against people like e-bay that sell illegal products.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 4:10 AM EST
Squib
Points: 158
Lilian87 says:
That so serves eBay right(6)
They should really control the flow of pirate books, but they just don't care about their customers:S
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 4:27 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 542
EnglishWizard says:
She should! it is really unbelieveble that people try to sell junk lioke that and that people buy it! E-bay has been asked million and million times but they just wont do anything about them! unbelievable!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 5:07 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 400
stay.close.to.me says:
What exactly are they selling? Pirate copies of JKR's signature? Who's going to fall for that? You'd have to be really stupid to actually believe that an autograph you bought on EBAY is for real. Give me a break. I'm a bit unsympathetic to the 'poor fans, this is hurting us' argument. What are you expecting from E-bay? I think JKR is wasting her time and money trying to sue them.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 5:13 AM EST
Witch
Points: 754
Griselda Marchbanks says:
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books...
Like someone wouldn't know.
But back onto the topic I think that really the buyers should just be more smarter when they purchase items off eBay.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 5:47 AM EST
Cryptologist
Points: 3018
Veronica Smethley says:
Well, I live in India and I know exactly what this is about. People wouldn't believe that the trade of illegal Harry Potter books here in India has grown so much that every who reads Harry Potter has an illegal eBay HP e-book on their computer.
I am not fond of e-books and I prefer reading from the "real" books.
I am very happy Jo has sued eBay. Hopefully this will help a lot. Thanks Jo!
~veronica smethley~
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:30 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1867
Silver_Lining says:
Well good for her, i'm glad something is being done to prevent pirate copies. Hopefully this will limit DH spoilers, too!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:19 AM EST
Witch
Points: 557
Amelia Black says:
Stupid eBay. There is always a pirating problem with the new books.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:19 AM EST
Witch
Points: 692
FizzingWhizbeez says:
It's really sad that people don't have enough sense to behave ethically and suits like this have to exist in the first place. I don't blame Jo one bit; I just think it's a shame that she has to force people to act ethically because they won't do it voluntarily.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:20 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
shadowquill says:
Yeah, I agree. Ebay is the one to hold responsible.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:30 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
You go J.K.! It's your right! Thanks for protecting your fans!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:33 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
Well done to Jo. At last some is taking a stand to stop fans and other artists from being ripped off.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:37 AM EST
Witch
Points: 739
yuko says:
Well done, mrs. Rowling!I hope you succeed!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:44 AM EST
The Chosen One
Points: 9942
Gryffindor Dude says:
I don't blame her. It's the only way to get them to stop, but it is hard to catch people doing that. I hope she wins haha.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:55 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 906
*The*Physical*Being* says:
Oh dear ... wel she warned them. they had it comming
you go gurlfriend!!!!!!!!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:04 AM EST
Dobby's House-Elf
Points: 3219
Weasley Rules says:
I say: Go Jo! I think it's great that she does this and won't just sit and watch as they do that to her!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:05 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
First is the warning then you can't do anything! She is right!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:19 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
I've never bought any ebooks on ebay before, even not a signed copy of a book or a picture because we never know if it is true or only someone who wants to make money with that... I'll buy my book on July 21st at the right place!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:23 AM EST
Goddess of the Moon
Points: 10680
dee_dee says:
They did deserve it... she warned them a couple of times, they can't say that she didn't... there's no way they are going to win this one...
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:32 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
Good for JK!!
It must be so annoying and now she has taken further steps to prevent fans from being fooled into buying these items!
It's a shame that it has had to go this far and it is a shame that there are people out there who are happy enough to commit fraud etc. and not feel anything for the people whose money they have stolen!
I sell items on ebay myself, but only items from my own collection when i need a clear out and i would never sell anything unless i know it is authentic and this sort of behaviour gives people like me a bad name and stops our items (that would be perfectly legit!) from selling!
Well done! Hopefully it will stop now! Not just JK/Harry Potter items, but others also! And hopefully legitamate sellers like me can get on with doing what we do!
:)
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:43 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
Good for her...
Get 'em!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:55 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
I am glad that she is taking that stand!!! She is losing alot of hard earned money!!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 8:57 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2704
LoveMagic says:
Don't blame people for wanting these books illegally if they are more accessible and less expensive. Ebay should not be breaking the law mind you and J.K should definitely be sueing ebay. I'm just saying that I kind feel for the people who want the books.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 9:05 AM EST
Student
Points: 225
loyal2voldemort says:
I can't believe it. People do weird stuff. I think it's great that she is doing this. Go JK!!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 9:30 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2076
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Good for her. I hope she sues and wins.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 9:35 AM EST
Witch
Points: 936
Lilium says:
Well, some have to do what they have to do. It's good she's taking a stand against piracy. I hope it goes well. Go Jo!!!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 9:39 AM EST
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