Good update...he didn't "understand why the book hadn't been published yet?" Okaay...

Heh. JKR says she doesn't want it, therefore it should never exist. so there.

go JKR!

luv ya, Jo! :D

So wait, are we then to assume that Rapoport approached Steve to publish the Lexicon? I don't know if I'm missing something here or reading wrong, but from the excerpts I'm getting the impression that it was RDR that approached Steve about publishing the book, and not the other way around.

Jo, you will come out on top!!! beacuse- YOU ROCK ON!!!

Just because the website was well put together doesn't make the book immune from being sloppily translated.

Is anyone aware of an actual timeframe for when we'll know the results of the trial? Or is the judge taking an indefinite amount of time?

If Jo says its sloppy, then it's sloppy since they got the facts from the website she used, and since she wrote the stuff, i think she would know...

Geez this just makes me think that Jo is even more of a hypocrite. First she calls it a great site and then smacks it for being "sloppy" when she would use it when she was writing later books -roll eyes- yea that makes a lot of sense.

10th!

@Kareen: I don't have a link ready but the court documents provided for the public to see include the full book. And it really IS sloppy and feels incredibly rushed (that might be because it was rushed incredibly...). I like the website for being so elaborate and huge, while the book is just an A-Z index with no info that would further what we've already got in the books. Quality-wise I'm definitely with Jo, having not even mentioned, yet, that most of it is copied and pasted from her books.

He's right, though. Why has no one tried to publish a Harry Potter encyclopedia until now?

I totally agree, Kareen. As much as JKR is amazing, this whole thing is extremely ridiculous and everytime there's a post on Mugglenet about this trial, it just makes me more and more annoyed. Jo really needs to lighten up. This book wouldn't have decreased the sales of her encyclopedia. There are multiple other HP-related books she seems to be fine with - I myself have one. From what I understand, her encyclopedia is just new background info on minor characters and stuff that wouldn't fit properly into the storyline; not an encyclopedia of what we already know is canon.

@rowlover- Just because JK Rowling says she doesn't want something does not mean it should never happen or that she is right. Don't get me wrong, I think Jo is amazing but I'm so sick of people defending every single thing she does and says like it's the gospel or something. So if Jo decides any site that says something un-complementarity about the HP books should be taken down, is she right? Is she right if she decides that any newspaper that publishes and bad review of an HP book or movie should be sued and put out of business? If Jo decides that the HP fandom is infringing on her creativity and wants everything thing related to HP on the web taken down, is she right? my point is that is so stupid for people to just blindly agree with anything Jo says/does just becuase she's JK Rowling and she said so. Think for yourself, please.

Even if JKR will say that "they are a great wed site," that does not mean that they have permission to make a book or something in that matter with the work of the author. I hope that trial gets into good terms and everyone involve is happy.

"Why the book hadn't been published yet?" What an idot!

she doesnt want it published dont publish it she did'nt give them her ok to publish it so they have no right to do so. GO JO you have me and my friends and familys support.

The quality of the book should have zero, let me repeat that again, zero influence on whether or not this book gets published. It seems to me that some of you seem to think otherwise. :-(

support jkr! :)

ickle_diddykins I think you've got the idea a bit wrong. It isn't the quality, it is the quality of the content, as in the quality of it's organization and what it contained. If it was an A-Z kind of encyclopedia then no it shouldn't be published b/c unless the author has something of their own to add then it is close to plagarism to publish an encyclopedia like that. The sloppiness doesn't help matters. It just shows it was a quick, rushed attempt to make a profit without much effort.

I really do hope that J.K. rowling losses this case. My reasons, for this are not avilable right now. Sorry!!!

That's exactly how I feel, GrangerLaughs! Also, wtfomghaxx0rz, "Jo really needs to lighten up. This book wouldn't have decreased the sales of her encyclopedia" - Why should Jo lighten up? They've already tried to settle this out of court but RDR refused so they HAD to bring it to court. She's not worried about the sales of HER book, as all profit from the sales of the Scottish Book will go to charity; she won't get ANYTHING from writing it! Do you realise, that besides fighting for her rights as an author, she's also fighting for us, her fans? She's fighting for what's right; this IS copyright infringement, what RDR and Steve are doing, and so Jo and WB have to stand up against them. Jo has all the right to prevent this from being published, because she is the rightful owner and creator of the entire series! Anyway, Steve and RDR should have sought permission from Jo and WB before publication; and if Jo and WB, the original creators of Harry Potter, don't give them the 'Go Ahead', then they should have abandoned the whole thing right? But, no, they had to refuse to listen, refuse to give WB a copy before it was published, insult WB's intelligence, continue on with the publication regardless.. and what was the consequence? Being sued by WB and Jo because of it. Oh, and this could affect the fandom and future court cases similar to this later on. This really is rather silly.

GO TEAM JO!

Personally, I think this thing should be published. In my local waterstones there are already two Harry Potter A-Z guides with no original content. In picking specifically on the Lexicon, JK is acknowledging it's quality. The Lexicon site has long held adverts which are making money, even if it's just to fund the costs of running the site. This book would in no way effect the encyclopedia, as the encyclopedia will contain new canon, the Lexicon doesn't. HOWEVER if this affects Jo's desire to write more on the Harry Potter world or any other book as she threathened, then the case must go for her. It's not worth losing one of the best writers for centuries simply because someone wants to publish a companion to her work!

I'm dissapointed with mugglenet and other major hp websites. I really thought that these sites really believed in the morals of hp. I did'nt know that they were so influenced by jkr. I guess I was naive. I wish I could have a community that does. Unfortunately, I also am realizing that jkr can be very controlling. As a hp fan, wouldn't you want this encyclepedia? Fans were always upset when people wanted to ban hp books and now some want to ban this book. I am glad however to see some fans which are standing up for the little guy.

@angelajohnson-why would I want an encyclepedia who steals from my favourite world and the only things it adds are wrong? I dont need Steve Vander Ark to tell me that Ron and Hermione told Harry that they think they saw an ogre. I read the HP books. I know that. Will you pay for a book that tells you that? really?

I am all for JKR. I hope to God she still publishes the encyclopedia. Is Steve really happy with all the anger he is receiving from HP fans. I mean, what if MuggleNet had done this. Would we not turn on MuggleNet? Who's our leader who gave us a world to think about? Who's the leader who came up with an idea that would last as a classic for a century? If it wasn't for JKR, there would be no encyclopedia. JKR needs to win for sake of HP fans and writers and readers everywhere. GO JO GO!

I still find (IMHO) the RDR case to be pathetically weak. Vander Ark should never have signed that contract and now finds hinmself stuck between a rock and a hard place. ALL other HP guides/books add 'colour' to the HP story. A few lines from JK Rowlings books followed by a paragraph or 3 of diagnosis on that line. That sort of work is acceptable. RDR wanted to write a book in 2 WEEKS using at least 95% of words lifted straight from the H.P books. That is simply NOT acceptable. RDR are up to no good, and now Vander Ark knows it. He has stated he will never work with this Rapoport again, and finds them untrustworthy. $100,000 in legal fees eh? TOUGH.

This whole thing is so silly. What people are forgetting is that the information on the lexicon website is free for anyone to view. But now they're trying to turn it into a book and sell it for a large profit to HP fans. That's just not right. Jo only approved of the site because it was useful and open to all HP fans. But no matter what, it is still her material, her world. Running a fan site for HP is awesome. But for them to try to make a profit off of it is wrong.

: )

i REALLY hate it when reporters make comments about the terrible future for small publishers if JKR and WB win. it seems obvious to me that most of the people who make these calls as lazy (though not in the same way) as RDR... they don't take their responsibility to learn what's really at stake seriously!

See! This is what I don't get about this whole case. She approved the The HP Lexicon website - all they were going to do was put the info on the web onto paper.

On may 23 show you support for Jo and Harry cause its Harry Potter day wear cloaks, robes, uniforms, hats, shirts, etc. Help spred the word tell everyone

On may 23 show you support for Jo and Harry cause its Harry Potter day wear cloaks, robes, uniforms, hats, shirts, etc. Help spred the word tell everyone

@hermyweasley105150 there is already a formal day under that name(october 31) and there are many other dates which are special in the books and on which we can show our support. Not that Im trying to let you down or something, its just that Im a freak for dates and when I first saw your comment somewhere else it bugged me that there was already something on that day and now that I found what it was, I need to ask if you suggested that on andrew bday for a reason?again I like your idea to raise support its only a name issue

arithmanceer - I completely agree. More like it'll ruin the future of small publishers who mooch off other peoples' work and try and sell it. What a shame that would be. I can't stand it when people say that JKR is just trying to get attention when they know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about it. Gah.

Posted by Harry_Potter_Prince 8 hours ago quote ============= =====Who's our leader who gave us a world to think about? Who's the leader who came up with an idea that would last as a classic for a century? =================== end of quote When did you stop to think for yourself and when did you stop to use your own brains. Today it the 4th of May, in the Netherlands and in Denmark people conmemorate the victims of someone else who was called the Leader. So don't call JKR " our leader " . Just enjoy the books with the little wit you obvious have and stop blabbering non-sense. She is nothing more the another writer of books, that had the luck to get hyped by the internet. Not because she is so brillant

No offense (really), but I swear... Some HP fans sound like they're brainwashed. JK Rowling is no one's leader. She's a friggin AUTHOR who wrote a FANTASY BOOK FOR CHILDREN. Yes, it's a great book - one of the greatest, imo - but that doesn't mean every word that comes out of her mouth is the Divine Truth. I agree with some of the other comments here. Think for yourself. Don't just slobber over your keyboard wailing over poor Rowling and how hard this case is for her, and how evil Ark is. I feel so, so bad for that guy. I can only imagine how horrific some of the fans have been to him. Like I kind of mentioned before, some HP fans are just crazy. They treat the books (and Rowling) like their baby! I don't get what the deal is, and I think Rowling is being a bit of a hypocrite. She used to LOVE the Lexicon, but once Ark had a chance to publish it she flipped. From what I've heard, her encyclopedia is going to be quite different from what Ark's was going to be (wasn't her's going to have never-released back stories and whatnot?). Besides, "fan-made" encyclopedias are nothing new. I have a LOTR one that's very nice. And Ark's encyclopedia would NOT have reduced the amount of encyclopedia's Rowling sold. I'm sure she knows that. In any case, Rowling said her's wasn't going to be released for a long time...

Thank you CrimeofPassion!!!! At least some HP fans can actually use their heads and not just follow JKR like a bunch of mindless zombies!

Why are people being so rude? If you don't really like the books or JK Rowling then well.... why are you wasting your time on this website anyway?

Who are you talking about, secrets? If you're talking about me, well, I apologize - I truly didn't mean to come across as totally rude. And I love the HP books more than any other book ever written. I just want some of the HP fans to wake up and realize they're, as Kareen said, acting like zombies, and REALLY hurting Vander Ark. I know a lot of people here have sighed over how hard this is on Rowling (Rowling herself has complained about how she's stressed out and can't write), but why is no one discussing the effects this will have on Ark? This could seriously, seriously mess up his life. It's just plain sad. He's got thousands of HP fans against him!!! And did he REALLY deserve it? He did not intend to hurt Rowling, nor was his desire to publish an HP encyclopedia evil or anything. Rowling has been really harsh on him, which surprised me, since she had previously gushed over his work...

Oh, and I just wanted to add: there are many other books about Harry Potter NOT published by Rowling out there - Looking for God in Harry Potter, The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World of Harry Potter, Fact, Fiction, and Folklore in Harry Potter's World, etc. So to everyone saying it's wrong to "mooch" off other people's work, what do you think about these books? Why didn't Rowling try and stop them from being published?

@CrimeofPassion- I wasn't talking about you, just everyone in general. Your right about Vander Ark, but why can't he just not publish it? It would be hard and all (I don't no much about fair trading though). Also this book seems to have the reputation of being bad... though for all I know it could not be such bad of a book. Really both sides have a good reasons, though I still agree with JK Rowling more. I don't know why. And yes there are other books about Harry Potter, so there must be something about this book JK Rowling really doesn't like.

it's really hard to tell which side has a more valid case.RDR/ Vander Ark and JKR both have good arguments. Does anyone actually know how much material the lexicon book took from HP and how much comment it gave?

Okay, you guys who are saying that no one should follow JKR around like a zombie have a point. And CrimeofPassion, you do talk about it rationally. But what annoys me is that ANYONE who is against JKR always uses that against us. Just because I happen to have read the transcripts and made the decision that I support JKR's side, it doesn't mean that I'm following her around like a drooling beastie just because she wrote Harry Potter. I think that RDR is sketchy and I wouldn't trust them with anything, I feel bad for Vander Ark and think he needs to seriously revise his book or drop the case, but I'm definitely not brainwashed.

Oh and CrimeofPassion, those books were mentioned in the trial I think; the whole shnizzle is that SVA's book doesn't add any (or barely any) original thought. He's just summarizing the books. Those books you mentioned are either on certain themes or just plain have more original content in them. That way they're making a profit off they're own work ON JKR's work, rather than just copying what she already said in the books.

: )

can i just say that i think jkr is being really hypocritial... and also, the majority of you need to use your brains and think for yourself. dont get me wrong -- i like jkr and the hp books are some of my favorite, but this whole thing is seriously ridiculous. it sounds to me like jkr has let everything go to her head and she's a little arrogant now. i seriously doubt that this case has been so draining on her and that it took the will to write away. can someone say dramatic? i'm not saying she should or should not win -- that's for the judge to decide -- what i'm saying is that 1) i don't like or agree with the way jkr is handling the entire debacle 2) i feel really bad for Vander Ark; he must feel so betrayed by jkr and harry potter fans, that would be horrible and 3) you people seriously need to take the blindfolds off and cease with the "if jo says so, then it must be so!" again, im not saying she shouldn't win; it may be that vander ark was plagiarising (and if so, he should lose), but even so, people need to stop immortalizing jkr and stop demonizing vander ark. i'm just baffled at the ignorant and innapropriate responses i see on this website (by commenters AND the website staff). really, grow yourself a brain independent from jo's and at least think before you start making comments about the whole thing.

IF anyone is wondering why I chose May 23 for Harry Potter day it was'nt my chose me and my friend have dressed up on that day for as long as I can remember so please join us