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Update: JKR arrives for court in NYC 
APRIL 14, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Various
Over the past few months we informed you of the legal case that Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, has brought against author Steve Vander Ark (Harry Potter Lexicon) and his publisher RDR Books. Ms. Rowling claims the book violates her intellectual property rights and is contesting its publication.
Rowling arrived
at the courthouse in New York City earlier this morning and the proceedings are currently taking place before Judge Robert P. Patterson without a jury. You can read additional information on the case here and here.
Pictures from her arrival can be seen here.
A recap of today's event can be located here, thanks Amy.
UPDATE: Ms. Rowling issued the following statement:off, which you can view here courtesy of the BBC via MN.
It gives me no pleasure to take legal action, but I am here today because I feel very strongly about an important issue that affects everyone and not just me. If books that plagiarise other works are permitted, authors, fans and readers stand to lose. There are lots of books in many languages that comment on or criticize Harry Potter, and that's fine. But the book in this case is different. It provides no analysis and virtually no commentary. It takes far too much and it offers precious little in return. I would just like to add that I am extremely grateful for the incredible support of Harry Potter fans everywhere.
UPDATE II: You can also read an additional recap of todays events courtesy of TLC.
We will continue to update everyone with the events of the court case as we learn them.
Reader Comments (52)
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Auror
Points: 3995
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
Damn, JK Rowling is in NYC right now. I'm so tempted to get on a train and go to NYC to see her, but I know she's really busy now. I honestly hope she wins this case. Not to stop a fan from doing this, but that he's taking her work amd making something out of it from his own mind. An encyclopedia like this should come directly from her, not from a fan. She's said she's going to make one, so why doesn't he just back off and wait until it comes out.
Jealous of her fame, maybe? You want some too? Why else would he be making this book?
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 11:59 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1512
BB_Sectumsempra says:
Hope this gets settled quickly. Can't wait till HBP movie.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 12:06 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1009
Fire Phoenix says:
It's a shame that they weren't able to find a solution without a court. Hope JK wins, but I hope she won't begin to behave like Microsoft. *smile*
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 12:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 689
Bleak Angel says:
I agree it's a shame they weren't able to find a solution without having to go through the courts but still I hope it is all settled soon.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8072
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
I am sure this is a tough call for her. In the long run, I do think she is doing the right thing. It is important to preserve the difference that she is moving forward on.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 12:53 PM EST
Student
Points: 251
Emily Rocks says:
I jus hope it gets setled soon and hope they take right decision..........
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 1:18 PM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
I wish I lived in New York City so that I could try to see her.
On a less shallow note, I hope that, whatever the outcome of this case, we as a fandom whole, along with J.K. Rowling and the other parties involved, can move on from this trivial dilemma. Regardless of the outcome of this trial, most of what we as fans do won't be affected. J.K. Rowling will permit fan-fiction and fan creativity just as much as she has before.
Steve Vandar Ark astonishes me. If J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers asked me to desist from publishing an encyclopedia, I would comply with their wishes, just because it would be worth it. I guess Steve Vandar Ark has more courage and belief in his rights than I do. :P
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 1:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2505
Mystique says:
Good, I hope she wins. She’s absolutely right here. They had no right to try to publish an HP encyclopedia.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 1:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2036
Nataly says:
Hope she wins! Let's see what happens..
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 2:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1533
~Harry's true love~ says:
I really admire her for how much she stands for her books. She protects them and really looks out for what's best, even if it's for her own self. She's such a force to be reacond with!
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 662
Rupert's Fangirl says:
I hope she wins and they have to pay her legal fees.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 2:47 PM EST
Squib
Points: 154
dobbysfan says:
Hope that she wins the case. The encylopedia should come from jk herself.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 3:57 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2672
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Wow. She is actualy in this country now. that awesome. I hope that she wins, but the punishment for the other people would not be too severe.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 6:11 PM EST
Squib
Points: 166
ShadowCate says:
IMO Without a doubt SVA is well on his way to being (if he has not already arrived) the most hated man on the planet! To try to justify stealing copyrighted material is unconscionable. Didn't he ever learn that plagarizing is a crime? Why did this even make it into court?
I heard that he has moved to London and is trying to be a writer? Who is he trying to fool? He has not demonstrated that he has one creative thought of his own .... He can only steal from others!
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 6:13 PM EST
Weird Sisters Bassist
Points: 8276
Paper Cut says:
Ahh this guy seriously gets on my nerves! He obviously has so little imagination that he has to skimp other authors ideas and compile them into a book to make money. Stick to web designing!
She's made it clear that she wants to make an official encyclopedia, and if he publishes one, 1) it will probably cover a lot of similar information and 2) It will overshadow her attempt!
I love the HP lexicon, it's a great source of information, but that's all it should be. And online source for fans, but this guy shouldn't be making profit out of it! ALL the information on that site came from JKR, what right does he have to sell it as his own work?! All he's done is type and bind it into a book. Skill.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 6:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1672
loopy looney says:
I definently support her in the lawsuit. I thought she was thinking about writing some kind of encyclopedia herself, no one else should be able to take her ideas and make money off them. I hope she wins!!!
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 6:44 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4397
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Wow, go JK Rowling!
~Drish~
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 6:54 PM EST
Witch
Points: 528
~AlyPotter~ says:
I hate the fact that this has been taken to court.
But I agree with JK.
Besides, she had stated even way back that she was going to do an encyclopedia.
I hope she wins the lawsuit.
I back her up one hundred percent.
Let's see where this goes from here.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 7:05 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2268
Tokio Hotel Fan says:
Cool she in New York wish i lived there. Too bad they had to take this to court. Hope she wins and i hope who she is going to court with relize that they are wrong in thinking they had the right to made the enxcilpedia.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 7:15 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2613
WickedLoz says:
Yeah it's a shame that it has now gone to court.
And as much as I love the Lexicon.. What the hell was this guy thinking?
Any University (or College?) student would know that if you write up a paper just oozing with other people's work (referenced or not) and offer no opinion or analysis of your own, then it is plagerism. At my Uni you get expelled for doing that!
And it's illegal.. And your facing the one and only JKR.. Seriously, what is he on?
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 7:27 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1079
Ravenclaw Tower Dude says:
She deffinetly has my support.
As much as I like to use the Lexicon, this has gotten way out of hand. I'm supprised Steve hasn't realized how messed up this is; especially when the author comes into the picture. Clueless. Just absolutely clueless.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 8:46 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 690
Mr. Harry James Potter says:
We all support you Jo. We love you and the books.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 9:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1326
Brianna Huckpuck says:
You said it, JK. He knows darn well you were planning to make an encyclopedia. He is basically riding on the tailcoat of yours, and his webpage's popularity. Bring it to him!
And if for some reason he does win, I refuse to buy his book, or visit his page.
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 9:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
I support Jo!
<3333333333333
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 9:24 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 441
*Wonder Witch* says:
Go J.K she is so going to win!
Everyone supports you JO!
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 9:50 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 456
accio_kim says:
I would rather an encyclopedia coming from JK herself, which she has professed she is interested in doing. She will probably donate the proceeds to charity, and therefore I think she is doing the right thing. There is definitely a conflict of interest here. Poor JK, having to go to court, hope everything works out!
Posted Apr 14, 2008 at 10:05 PM EST
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