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Lexicon owner "talked into doing it by the publishing company" 
APRIL 15, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: USA Today
To add to our previous post on the court case currently taking place in New York between Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. and RDR Books, comes news
that the author of the book in question told the court that "he was talked into doing it by the publishing company" and that "it's been difficult because there has been a lot of criticism, obviously, and that was never the intention."
The case, which aims to permanently prevent publication of the Harry Potter Lexicon, which Mr. Steve Vander Ark and RDR Books had sought to publish last fall, should continue for the rest of the week before Judge Robert P. Patterson.
More coverage from today's events can be found here.
UPDATE: MTV has posted a great description as to what this case is really about - what is basis for doctrine of fair use.
UPDAATE II: A statement was issued this evening about today's events:
A fan's affectionate enthusiasm should not obscure acts of plagiarism. The publishers knew what they were doing. The problem remains that the Lexicon takes an enormous amount of Ms. Rowling's work and adds virtually no original commentary of its own. As we've said in court, it takes too much and adds too little. Authors have a duty to prevent the exploitation of their works by people who contribute nothing original, creative or interpretive.
UPDATE III: You can read additional information from today's testimony here courtesy of TLC.
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Auror
Points: 2101
phoenix_feathers says:
This is so obviously unfair! If the judge allows the Lexicon to be published, etc., fans will be most disgruntled, I believe. It is just horrible to think that somebody would take Jo's work and try to publish it- whatever is the purpose?
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 12:13 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2095
*starfox* says:
The MTV article is really brilliant and I hope everyone reads it. I can already say that a company telling Mr. Vander Ark (who is 50 years old, by the way) that it wouldn't be illegal to publish his version of an encyclopedia is absurd. He is old enough to know better and, as someone stated above, probably wanted the money. The publishing company also is covering the costs if he is sued.
Seriously. If there are to come to terms out of court, Mr. Vander Ark should stop the release of the book and let Jo publish her version like it was meant to be.
It's not about who would "win" the reader's opinions about a well put-together book, it's about someone taking someone else's intellectual world and not adding a darn thing to it.
I apologize about the soap box, but I don't have any sympathy for anyone who was sobbing in court after Jo gave him repeated requests to stop the publication of the book. If he was really that worried about legal issues, he should have listened to his gut instinct and stopped.
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 12:42 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4084
ILoveHP! says:
I think they should really just NOT publish it. Oh....
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 1:28 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1657
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Talked into it by the publishing company? Somehow I find that hard to believe. I hope this case get's settled soon.
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 10:16 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1682
jones_jj says:
I wonder what Vander Ark is getting out of this from the publisher, if he was "talked" into doing this. He could have simply said no and walked away. He must be getting a fat check if he was "talked" into doing this book.
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 10:27 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9722
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
It seems a bit hard to believe that he would be "talked into" publishing this encyclopedia. It clearly infringes on Jo's rights to her material. I have to wonder why Steve Vander Ark would continue with this case. It such a lot of time and money to spend, and I can't see how he would win it.
Posted Apr 19, 2008 at 6:42 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2325
mad_eye muggle says:
This is getting complicated by the minute.I do hope they will soon put an end to this.Their totally violating JK's rights.
Posted Apr 20, 2008 at 8:15 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3047
Anastasia Popovick says:
Um...yeah...right. And I was talked to into standing on my head in the middle of town during rush hour! Hahahahaha...I realize that publishers can be very pushy and persuasive, but if you still have morals and scruples. So I'm not buying what he's trying to sell now or later.
Posted Apr 26, 2008 at 5:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1758
snaily says:
I personally think that Steve should have consulted with Jo but obviously, she wouldn't have agreed even then. Honestly, why go for the book version when the Lexicon is so damn famous?!
Posted May 9, 2008 at 2:41 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1834
Grayback'sVictim says:
The ought to have talked to her first.
It's really... to say stupid, of them to even try doing something like that without asking.
I mean she has all the rights to stop the publishing of the lexicon!
Posted May 26, 2008 at 2:28 PM EST
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