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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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Malfoy by Nature
Points: 12528
WickeDraco says:
I support the fact that JK doesn't want to see her fans being ripped off by greedy corrupt money cravers. But I don't think it's right that she sue Ebay.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 1:07 PM EST
The Usual Suspect
Points: 3421
Orchid says:
I think it's so good that she is suing them. The people behind eBay doesn't seem to care about the stated "authenticity" of items sold, no matter if its books, clothes, electronics etc. I have been a victim of purchasing fake things that the seller promised were real. So disappointing
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 1:27 PM EST
Hermione's Twin
Points: 5063
*Miss Hermione Granger* says:
hmm....I suppose she`s right to do it...since they didnt listen the first time!
Well eBay is just a joke now really i never go on there anymore.....I mean when I read they were selling PEOPLE on there i heard it all...i mean HONESTLY!!
Actually WOO JK now that I actually think about it!! :)
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 1:42 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
I really hope that this will put a stop to all the piracy...Its not kool, and what is even worse is that eBay hasny done anything about it. i think JKR is doing the right thing.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 1:49 PM EST
Princess of Anime
Points: 7539
Allenoray Mozart says:
sue them J.K.!
they really don't need to be doing things like that.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 2:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
Poor JK! Why wouldn't ebay just cooperate with her? I bet it's irritating for her to have deal with a court case when she has a million other things she needs to do. I have never liked pirates, and I have always refused to buy pirated things. I hope this helps with this growing problem!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 2:34 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 462
DJan says:
This is sounfair , why ebay do such things, anyway JK has done rite thing to sue them. We want this to be a surprise.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 2:55 PM EST
Witch
Points: 640
Melian Potter says:
Is this the first time they sue e-Bay? If so: about time! Those guys have been pirating for ever.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 3:31 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
Wow! Well I say it's about time-people are getting scamed. Though I have to say that if they are buying that knowing that JKR has said that it's fake...I guess they may not know.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 3:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 861
star chaser says:
I can understand why she's suing, but I feel sorry for all the inocent people buying these things. Ebay should have done something about this when JK first asked them.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 3:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
Good for her!! Most peopole would just sit there and let people keep selling thoses illegal things..
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 3:47 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4469
PowerGranger says:
I commend JKR for going the next step with this. She has obviously already done a lot to fix the problem with eBay before going to court; she seems to have no other recourse. It's also very nice of her to keep an eye out for scams that affect us, the fans. I've seen her posts about being wary of the autographed HP items out there. I'm sure it bothers her that fans are getting duped.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 3:51 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1255
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Yeah, it seems there's always a problem with the eBay stuff, and they haven't done anything about it. It's so hard to tell what's legit and what's forged, because surely there's some legit merchandise on eBay. It's too bad that some people try to take advantage of others like that by selling fake stuff just to make money.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 3:55 PM EST
Witch
Points: 797
magically delicious says:
Someday when I am famous and rich because of the sales of my incredible book series, I'll sue over pirated copies too! I wouldn't want to waste my hard work on people who get a copy without me seeing any profit. And that's for real!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 4:34 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 79
placidepink says:
I, like most of the posts, agree with JK! Good on her! eBay has no right to allow pirated things on their site.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 4:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 639
Harry(the 4th champion) says:
You go girl!!!!!!
J.K. has the right to defend herself and her works. I am glad she sued eBay.
I personally hate the site eBay. I am glad that J.K. was the one who has decided to do something about them selling unauthorized products.
Once again...
Go J.K. Rowling!!!!!!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 4:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
Naughty people selling her books. They shouldn't do that. They should have taken her warnings a lot more seriously.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 5:08 PM EST
Guardian of the Realms
Points: 5601
A&Agang says:
WOHOO, yeah. I can't believe that there are some people who do this. WEll, actually I can, but ts just horrible what they are doing. This lawsuit should make Ebay more willing to cooperate in stopping the sale of pirated merchandise.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 5:35 PM EST
Squib
Points: 189
Deidara says:
Good for her! Ebay had it coming, in my opinion.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:02 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 302
xGryffindorGirlx says:
Nice job, I would have done the same thing. eBay should do something about all the fake stuff that let people sell on the site.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 991
Dementor Exterminator says:
Well all i can say is Go JKR! She's right to try and stop these people selling Pirated items. I hope she wins the case.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
As an avid E-Bayer, I have to say that I was recently bitten by a seller who was selling a pirated copy of an audiobook. E-Bay did nothing to help it was Paypal who got my money back.
I am appalled that someone is so blantantly stealing these items and passing them as authentic. I hope that Jo wins.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:38 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 328
whynotcuse says:
Go Jo! She definately should she for pirate books. its not right to anybody!
Hughs and Kisses
~Allie~
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:46 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 449
Emma#1fan says:
Good, JK is not going to let anybody stand in her way! keep it up!
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:49 PM EST
Points: 1542
Letimar J says:
I'm surprised to find someone quoting US law(1st page of posts). Ebay maybe an American site, but JK Rowling is a British author and the books in question are an Indian version. Isn't this covered under some intellectual property treaty? If not, it should be. Fans will feel cheated and an author has a right to control her books and characters.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 6:52 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 445
rockinthecazba422 says:
Good for Jo!!! If she has warned them before then why shouldnt they be liable its not difficult to put a search out for all Harry Potter merchandise on the site they are just turning a blind eye and its about time Jo took action.
Posted Feb 26, 2007 at 7:01 PM EST
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