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Update: Judge in Rowling case urges settlement again; JKR issues statement 
APRIL 16, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: MSNBC.com
During today's court proceedings in New York between RDR Books and Warner Bros. and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, the judge once again urged
a settlement amongst the parties involved. Judge Robert P. Patterson stated that "...this case, with imagination, could be settled."
While both sides have settled some sections of the suit, they still appear to be resolved in continuing.
Ethan Horwitz, an IP expert had this to say on the case. While in this article Andy Martin, Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com calls JKR a "psychotic egomaniac."
Today (Wednesday) was the last day of the trial, all parties are awaiting the Judge's decision once all legal documents have been filed.
UPDATE: Statement by J.K. Rowling regarding today's legal proceedings against RDR Books:
The book at the heart of this case has overstepped a boundary so unreasonably that I have been forced, regretfully, to take legal action. Authors have a right to protect their works from misuse. Do I have fewer rights because many people read my books? If this book is published, it will open the floodgates for anyone to lift an author's work and present it as their own. But if it is not published, that will be a boon not only to all who create original works, but to all who enjoy those works.
UPDATE II: Ms. Rowling returned to the stand today where she said she was "vehemently anti-censorship" but that Steven Vander Ark had "plundered" her work for his book.
UPDATE III: A recap of today's events can be found here with additional information here.
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Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1383
smart hermione says:
Yeah, i do hope this is settled quickly. We hp fans like to hear about good news, not lawsuits. Jo is very sensible, so i'm sure she's not exxagerating when she says that he breached copyrights
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 2:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1590
~Harry's true love~ says:
I really do belive that it is best if they settle this problem. Nothing good come with cort, and seeking revenge.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 3:06 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 25658
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Oyy craziness....haha
I wish they would just settle this and stuffs...
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 3:37 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8184
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
I hope she does not settle this right away. I think she really needs to make a point so that others will not be too easily swayed to try the same thing.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 4:21 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2081
Nataly says:
Let's see what happens next..
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 5:01 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1684
zues says:
I really don't see any side trying to drag this out any longer then needed.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 5:37 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4451
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Crazy stuff. I hope everything turns out alright though.
~Drish~
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 5:44 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 474
ladybythebay says:
JKR has gone too far and I hope she loses. Steve Vanderark did not steal anything. People write reference books all the time. She was once a fan and supporter of his and now she is suing him. If she wins this it will seriously jeopardize the writing of reference books which are not theft of ideas as she alleges.
JKR needs to stop this silliness and go home and have a good stiff upper lip British cry with her tail between her legs. Just because you wrote a hit book doesn't mean that you are God and can push little people around.
I am cheering for Steve. I will buy his book if it ever gets published and if JKR publishes one, I will keep my money in my pocket.
Stop the madness Jo!
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 5:45 PM EST
Student
Points: 218
Artep says:
Yes, I agree! Please settle this!
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 6:56 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1133
Luna! says:
Well I feel sorry for J.K. Rowling with all this stuff cropping up as I am sure we fans like to hear about potter stuff not law suits.
However, I am for Jo as I think that what she has to say is pretty reasonable because she can't be expected to just sit around while someone uses her work.
She's always very sensible in her copyright so I am sure that she wouldn't bring this all up if it was something stupid.
Go Jo!
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 7:14 PM EST
Points: 158
LDouglasLJr says:
To be perfectly honest I am completely torn on this issue. I think an author or anyone has the right to protect their work. Otherwise people wouldn't create anything original for fear of someone else stealing it.
But I also think that a "true" reference book does have a place. The question becomes is this book a true reference book or a complete rip off of the HP books we all know and love. The unfortunate part is we honestly do not know. The only ones who do are the ones involved in this lawsuit.
My take is this: If this is a legitimate reference book then Jo should not be suing and should be continuing her other works and the true HP encyclopedia. Now if this is a complete rip off then RDR and Steve Vanderark should not be publishing someone else work and end this.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 7:55 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2028
JAYSTARR says:
I hope they would settle to an agreement to allow this RDR to publish the Lexicon. RDR book is no match to JKR and When her book comes out it will make Lexicon book look like a weekly reader. Plus all of JKR Fans all over the world would buy her encyclopedia instead.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 8:13 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2656
Grintster says:
"If this book is published, it will open the floodgates for anyone to lift an author's work and present it as their own."
I can't believe Jo made this statement. Firstly, SVA never claimed her work as his own. The Lexicon has always said that its "A guide to the HP Universe" or something like that.
Secondly, I wonder when was the last time she sneaked in a visit (at least secretly) to a local bookstore near her because she would have seen that this has been happening long before her time. Bookshelves are full of "guides" and commentaries on other popular books, not just hers. Nope, she's gone too far.
Like I said, David and Goliath. David (er, Steve) should win this one for all the fans of the series, whom JKR owes more than this. Stop the circus and be magnanimous enough to talk it over with a true fan. Unless they feel publicity about this has not yet been drawn out yet :/
just needed to add -- JKR should have instead just worked together with SVA to make the Lexicon a stand-in while fans wait for her own encyclopedia which wont come out until 2 or 3 years later, as I've said before.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 9:06 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 11
na`bella says:
fingers crOssed that this lawsuit will end...
JKR is great and we hOpe to hear the gOod 4rm this...
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 9:25 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1087
Ravenclaw Tower Dude says:
If Jo loses this case, I hope all the bad press hinders the sale of the Lexicon's book. And don't get me wrong, I love the website! But this has gotten entirely too stupid. If the book is indeed a direct copy of the website, then Wikipedia might as well try to publish their own book on the Harry Potter series. I'm pulling for you Jo! I'm sorry this trip to the US has been rather negative and I hope it does not hinder you from coming back any time soon!
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 10:54 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 2451
Hecate3fold says:
The judge is right. This could be settled where they jointly donate the proceeds to a charity or worthy cause.
If it does get published I will deffinately buy it as a reference book and because of the 'snit' that JKR has had over this I am a bit dubious about buying hers if she does write one. She will have to include a lot of information that was not in the books for me to consider purchasing it.
The longer she is adament the less I think of her, and as I've said before, I think that WB has a lot to do with this being carried on to this extent.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 11:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
I think this case should be settled as quick as possible!
Posted Apr 16, 2008 at 11:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2101
phoenix_feathers says:
I am quite glad that she is taking a stand against this. It is positively unjust to allow this/these book/books to be published!! Jo is standing up for all authors, past, present, and future.
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 12:07 AM EST
Student
Points: 240
NicoleHalliwell says:
"psychotic egomaniac." A WHAT!? Why would anyone call Jo this. She is protecting her books! The people who are against Jo on this are not true Harry Potter fans. She is doing this for us too! I am so tired of repeating myself on fansites. She does not want us to pay money for information that we can get for free.
I hope this book will not get published. Steve already has a web site that is an online FREE encyclopedia. He says he has worked very hard on it. Of course he has, but why is that accomplishment not enough?
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 12:15 AM EST
Weaselette
Points: 2690
WickedLoz says:
"If this book is published, it will open the floodgates for anyone to lift an author's work and present it as their own."
Big statement made by Jo, but I do agree with her. Although we really know little about what the technicailities are, from what has been shown to the public this book SVA wishes to publish is just recycling Jo's work.
Many people have called Jo naive for thinking that this is the first HP reference and commentary book, but what they are not udnerstanding is that SVA's work doesn't provide any additional infomation, analysis, commentary or opinion. Basically this book is just a condenced version of Jo's hard work, and unlike the many reference and commentary HP books out there, there is no additional infomation making it worthy of identity.
The thing that irks me so much is why SVA wants more and more. I would think owning the most referenced, credited and publicised by Jo site would be enough for any HP fan. But no, a profit must be made for all his 'hard work'.
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 1:32 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4064
ILoveHP! says:
I hate these bad news.... I hope it ends in a friendly way...
I loved HP Lexicon. I hope I will still love it after this. :(
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 1:35 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 498
accio_kim says:
It's interesting, because we know (at least, believe) that JK is not doing this for the money. She gives generously to charity and is clearly not wanting. There must be something deeper here. If it were my work, I would feel the same, no matter how popular.
Hope this is settled soon.
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 4:17 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1668
Bright Eyes says:
It would be a precedent if it were allowed to be published, wouldn't it... and that could have awful results for other authors - it would mean their works were basically the public's...
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 4:49 AM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 2854
Tikihaha says:
Just settle it, but don't sue Steven Vander Ark - I hope that the judge sues the publishing company that were gunning for all the money from this book, and Jo then donates this settlement to charity and her and Steve become friends again. Yes, Steve has worked hard, but it is basically all Jo's work he is using.
Some people posting above are WAAAAAYY off. Just because this sad little man has devoted his life to documenting a fictional universe does NOT give him the right to financially benefit from Jo's work. He needs to get a life and stick to the website. Jo has every right to defend her artistic creation.
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 5:59 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2081
Nataly says:
Thanks for the information provided.. I really like courts
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 8:10 AM EST
Squib
Points: 175
ShadowCate says:
ladybythebay - are you one of SVA's sock puppets?
If that is not the case --- Your arguments are so pro-SVA and anti-JKR, you apparently have no concept of the issue involved ... COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT --- SVA would not have anything to publish if it had not been for the work that JKR has done! INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY --- JKR created Harry Potter and the entire HP-Wizarding World. There again SVA would not have anything to publish if he had not stolen JKR's Intellectual Property.
What part of HE IS A THIEF! Do you not understand!
As someone posted and suggested ... It is NOT a David vs. Goliath issue ... it is an issue of right and wrong ... Stealing is WRONG...simple as that! :-)
BTW Lest we forget ... Until the tremendous success of Harry Potter, JKR was one of the little people too! As evidenced by her incredible generosity and philintropic endeavors, she has not forgotten what it is like! And she is using her newly acquired clout to defend (herself obviously) but also all us little struggling writers from opportunistic usurpers. As well as children, single mothers, MS sufferers,...(the list is lllooonnnggg!)
THANK YOU JO!!!! and Brightest Blessings!
Posted Apr 17, 2008 at 9:47 AM EST
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