RDR Books Lawsuit

Harry Potter Series book Author,J.K Rowling.
Source: (www.harrypotterrealm.com/mn_author.html, 2009)

Since the 1997 release of the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States, the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide. As of June 2008, the book series has sold more than 400 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages, and the last four books have consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history. (Kjos, 1999)

Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter, together with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, his friends from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The central story concerns Harry's struggle against the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents in his quest to conquer the wizarding world and subjugate non-magical (Muggles) people to his rule. It is the fastest selling and most sold books after the Holy Bible.



Harry Potter Book series.
Source: (www.provlib.org/happening/events/special.html, 2009)

BBC News (2007) states, the seventh book of the series, which is also the last, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, sold ‘11 million copies in its first 24 hours.’ The International Herald Tribune (2007) reported that Deathly Hallows became ‘the fastest-selling book in history …’

The Potter-mania have caused the bloom of countless fan websites where the Potter fans can interact with one another, discuss about the books and the characters in the books. One such website is the Harry Potter Lexicon, an online encyclopaedia about the series. JK Rowling, the author of the Potter series, has always been supportive with these websites as it promotes her work and encourages people to read her series.



Source: blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2008/04/, 2009

However, according to Rich (2008), when RDR Books announced their plan to publish a 'print version' of the Harry Potter lexicon, Rowling and The New York Times decided to sue RDR Books.

The lawsuit was filed simply because ‘the book merely repackages Ms. Rowling’s work and, unlike the free fan sites is intended to make money for its publisher.’ (Rich 2008).

Thus, they are suing RDR for the infringement of copyright. The owner and creator of the website, Steven Vander Ark, said that ‘he was initially worried that the book might constitute copyright infringement’ (Rich 2008) but after he was given assurance by RDR that infringement would not occur, he decided to go for it. After 5 months of trial, Rowling won the suit as according to Judge Robert P. Patterson Jr. of Federal District Court in Manhattan, “Plaintiffs have shown that the lexicon copies a sufficient quantity of the Harry Potter series to support a finding of substantial similarity between the Lexicon and Rowling’s novels,”

Copyright



Copyright laws were first established in the United States in 1790, as part of the Constitutional protection for artists and writers. Reep (2006) states that copyright ‘is the legal protection for the creators of original works …’ She asserted that infringement of copyright occurs when someone utilizes the original works of a creator for their own interest and benefit without ‘getting permission …’ (Reep, 2006)

It is unethical to use the works of a creator and publish it as your own. Copyright infringement is a serious matter that everyone should look into before they even decide to write something.

When someone decides to manipulate the popularity of these websites like The Leaky Couldron, Bloomsbury Publishing, Warner Bros and many more which should only and totally be attributed to J.K.Rowling, their intentions can only be classified as something unpardonable.

References

Harry Potter' tale is fastest-selling book in history 2007, International Herald Tribune, viewed 12 June 2009,
<http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/23/business/potter.php>.

Harry Potter finale sales hit 11m 2007, BBC News, viewed 13 June 2009, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6912529.stm>.

Kjos, B (1999), Bewitched by Harry Potter, viewed 11 June 2009,
<http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/Harry9-99.html>

Reep, DC 2006, Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings, 6th edn, Pearson Education, USA.

Rich, M 2008, Rowling to Testify in Trial Over Potter Lexicon, The New York Times, viewed 13 June 2009,
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/books/14potter.html>.