Sep 8, 2008 3:11pm
Harry Potter Encyclopedia a No Go
EmailLooking forward that Harry Potter encyclopedia? Need help keeping track of all the characters, potions and the like? You’re going to have to keep on waiting. A judge today ruled in favor of Potter author J.K. Rowling that the encyclopedia in question steps on her rights, specifically copyrights. The reference guide is the work of a website run by a former librarian. Its publication has been halted indefinitely.
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This is good news. LEXICON was trying to profit from JK Rowling’s creations, while JK Rowling herself was trying to write a Harry Potter encyclopedia with all proceeds going to charity (As she has done in the past with the Harry Potter school books and Tales of Beedle the Bard). I’m happy with this outcome!
Posted by: Jackie | September 8, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
An expected verdict and a good one. While the Lexicon has been a fine site, it has also been free. Authors have a right to prevent others from profiting from their creations. I look forward to Rowling’s own encyclopedia, which will include backstory material that the Lexicon proprietor could not have created.
Posted by: Lili | September 8, 2008, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
She’s a hypocrite…in a 2007 interview, she told her fans to “QUESTION AUTHORITY”…so her “Fan” questioned the authority of her copyright…what’s the big deal? He only did what SHE TOLD HIM TO DO.
Posted by: Dennis | September 8, 2008, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
Dennis, she’s not an ‘authority,’ she’s an artist. Her work is her intellectual property. She has a right to protect the integrity of her work, just as you do. By your reasoning, I could steal your wallet (or copy your work) and just argue that I’m ‘questioning authority.’ Somehow I doubt you would agree in that situation.
Posted by: Brian | September 8, 2008, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
Brian, you missed the point…I’m not suggesting it’s RIGHT….it’s completely WRONG but her statement to her fans was “Question Authority”…so BY HER OWN STATEMENT, SHE opened the door…not me
Posted by: Dennis | September 8, 2008, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
The copyright laws don’t always read what common sense would suggest. (That HP is JKR’s creation and therefore hers alone to control – and those she sold rights to.)
People can already do a LOT with HP and its characters. This book was probably not that far over the legal edge.
Posted by: HeyYou | September 8, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm