After this morning's JKR VS RDR verdict in New York City, we received official statements from Warner Brothers and JK Rowling. Now, we have a statement from RDR Books, who was to be the publisher of the Harry Potter Lexicon:
"We are encouraged by the fact the Court recognized that as a general matter authors do not have the right to stop the publication of reference guides and companion books about literary works. As for the Lexicon, we are obviously disappointed with the result, and RDR is considering all of its options."
The full text of the trial decision is also now online. It notes that RDR has to pay statutory damages of $750 for each of the seven Potter books as well as Fantastic Beasts and Quidditch Through the Ages. That brings it to a total of $6,750.
Posted by
09-08-2008
at 6:19 PM
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Fan Comments |
Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 18:23:12
RDR is "considering all of its options"? What options exactly?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 18:23:20
Considering their options? Hm.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 18:24:31
oh woww- what options ? WOOT GO JO !
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 18:31:13
Glad Rowling won!!! Top 5
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 18:34:55
Im glad Jo won, but I dont think RDR/Lexicon should have to pay the money.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 18:39:32
Im disappointed. The book was just talking about it, looking at the things, showing where she got the spells. And, plus, she got a lot of her books from other books, and her spells was from Latin words. I dont like JKR after this. I think shes way too money hungry.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 18:52:25
"What options exactly?"
To appeal the judgement.
"her spells was from Latin words"
AnnaSmee, are you seriously saying that languages should be copyright? What about authors that write in English, Spanish or French?
The Lexicon would have given its author and publishers profits from work done by JKR... hence the judgement to stop its publiation.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:01:41
To AnnaSmee- JKR has been planning on making an encyclopedia of her own, which she has every right to do as author and owner of the word she has created. To claim this is some sort of "money hungry" plot is silly, especially considering that the fiscal settlement was under $10 grand.
Also- she didnt "get a lot of her books from other books"- to be honest, Im not even sure how you could come to that conclusion unless you havent read Harry Potter, plus many of her spells were from Latin words. Thats like saying Im not allowed to name a street in a novel "Lake View" because that is clearly some English words that mean "View of a Lake".
Sorry, friend, but I believe youre a little misguided. This is a win for anyone who has written anything- they have the right to their creations.
Congrat s again, Jo!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:05:07
Hm, I know the money does not seem fair but look at it this way: lawyers do not come cheap. I doubt this will cover the expenses of Jo and Warner Bros lawyers. Oh please Anna Smee. If JKR were money hungry, she wouldnt have spent months writing the Beedle the Bard tales and notes were about to get, and then given it all to charity.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:05:24
jkr rulz... im so glad she won...
btw, its so dumb to be like "TOP TEN" cause u just happened to get on when a article was posted.. no one cares
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:15:50
i was actualy surprised that this was a post cuz i had thought JKR had already won. so when i read this i couldnt stop myself from laughing especially because of all the money they have to pay! GO JKR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:20:19
I just tried to access the Lexicon and it has been taken down. In my opinion, this ruling was completely wrong. Steve and the Lexicon team have for years provided an irreplaceable tool for fans to study the series. J. K. Rowlings comments about her "creativity being decimated" ring so false. She knows she has a huge market for her supposed HP book. Fans would buy her grocery list for crying out loud, if she chose to publish it! Warner Bros. is acting out of greed, but then theyre a huge corporation, weve come to expect it of them. But, JKR? Why did you allow such a lawsuit to go on! Youve disappointed your fans and robbed us of a wonderful tool, the Lexicon. Please allow the Lexicon book to be printed!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:38:41
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:47:27
@hpfan1954 - I think this case was mostly to set a precedent for other authors who cant spend millions of dollars on lawsuits. If RDR had won, then other authors may have been afraid to let fanfiction and music and guides to flourish the way they have. Taking down the Lexicon was a bit extreme, but these things happen. Itll probably be up soon but, lets face it, it wont be half as popular as before. Im sure that if Steve would put in the time and effort to cite things and come up with some original commentary, the book would be able to be published. Have you seen the pie chart of doom? It shows Steves original work and Jos uncited work, and the latter takes up about 93% of the chart.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:58:41
This whole thing is crap.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 19:59:14
the lexicon isnt down ....
http://www.hplex. info/index-2.html
its right here
o.o
just the front page is under construction
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 20:03:39
oh and btw theres a space between hplex. and info
so if you copy and past, take out the space
im sure most people can figure it out but just in case...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 20:06:52
AnnaSmee: Do you know how much all this mustve cost her? hpfan: Hmm, she seems to only have disappointed you and AnnaSmee. Please do some research instead of Theyre greedy and shes greedy over and over again. ;]
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 20:07:04
AnnaSmee: Do you know how much all this mustve cost her? hpfan: Hmm, she seems to only have disappointed you and AnnaSmee. Please do some research instead of Theyre greedy and shes greedy over and over again. ;]
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 20:09:53
I dont think they should have to pay that amount, as long as they dont infringe the rights of another authors work.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 20:28:25
$6,750 ??? Thats IT?!?!?!?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 20:43:13
$6750 doesnt seem like very much. I agree with you DeathlyHallows007.
It seems kind of childish for such large corporations, but I am still VERY happy for JK and (I cant believe Im gonna say it) WB. They won and they had every right to.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 20:51:26
NEW MUGGLECAST EPISODE WOO
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 21:14:56
actually, the main page seems to now be hplex dot info. I wish it had not come to all this, but Im glad JK Rowling won. And Im glad the the Lexicon is still up... :)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 21:34:26
Way to go JKR...you could have made them pay millions of dollars but only 6,000 thats something that take a lot of heart. I give you kudos for that.
I have the other books that are about the Harry Potter world. They dont have at all tons of Harry Potter text in it. So I see why she never went against them. So I believe she did do the right thing.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 21:35:50
What you all need to realize (and what, Im sad but not surprised to say, Reuters needs to realize as well), is that while JKR/WB may have won ruling, they lost this case. They lost big time. From the judges statements, its clear he didnt really want to rule in favor of JKR/WB, but felt as though his hands were bound. If his comments alone werent enough, the fact that he only awarded the minimum amount speaks volumes. $7,000 in a copyright infringement case is a joke. Its truly laughable.
RDR will undoubtedly appeal (which is, by the way, the only point at which this case affects law), but Im not sure Id be surprised if JKR/WB didnt appeal as well. Because if this did go to appellate court, and the decision was upheld, this would signify a monumental erosion of copyright law. Itll mean that if you steal some piece of intellectual property, get sued, and lose, youll only have to pay a maximum of $750 per incursion.
This ruling needs to be overthrown. Now.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 22:28:01
SnobbyDesign, not sure what you mean. I dont think this is "copyright infringement". They didnt copy one of her novels; they re-used her ideas and reworded it. Maybe her intellectual property...but copyright infringement sounds a bit too strong.
Im happy for the ruling. If you use Star Wars as an example, outside of the movies, there has been video games and novels...some of the novels go way beyond the original movies. But all of them are done with permission from Lucas and his company. Yes, even the Star Wars encyclopedias.
The story and characters still belong to JKR. Just because you read the novels twice each doesnt make it yours. I think things started out wrong...if SVA started off right, he should have asked for permission. And if he didnt get it, then abandon the idea; it was never his to begin with.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 22:28:37
"AnnaSmee I dont like JKR after this. I think shes way too money hungry."
The profits of JKRs encyclopedia will be going to charity. Tell me how shes money hungry.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 22:30:07
Im saying: She has taken lots of ideas from the bible. The part of the book was talking about the spells, showing where their from, and shes acting as if she OWNS them. I know you like JKR, but honestly, the man loved her books. Its like saying anyone who makes a book about... I dunno, Shakespeare, theyd be sued because its TAKING Shakespeare. Her book would just be out what no one could tell, about what happened afterwards (which I think is disgusting, because we were supposed to know this after the 7th book). She is money hungry. Come on, she sued someone for taking a picture of her kid? Shes filthy rich, and made a bestselling book, duh people are going to take a picture of you. I dont think she should have won, and I dont think RDR should have payed.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 22:34:53
Do you know how much all this mustve cost her? - Like five cents in her world? I love how you all attacked me because of a comment I said. Yes, I dislike JKR, not because shes money hungry, but because she RUINED the 7th book. It was crap, reallllize it.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 23:03:03
^ Thaaaats your opinion..
Has Steve said anything? I want to hear from him.. Poor guy.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 23:11:53
Please dont jump me once Ive said my comment!!
BUT, I think this is crap. All the man was trying to do was summarize Jos work so that we could all get everything understood. I dont think that he should have to pay and Jo should not take his money. BUT I still love the woman for what she has given all of us. AND Im hoping that she comes out with her book soon and fills in all the gaps that are there. like what happened to Dean or whats all the other people are doing now. Like Draco, what did he grow up to do, does Harry still have Kreacher, so on and so forth. but I doubt that she will tell us any more that what has already been said.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 23:27:10
I think JKR is money hungry. She has billions. What could it hurt her. Thats just sad. What comes around goes around.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-08 23:42:35
I believe it was put very well in a previous post of muggle, where a user stated that very few truly hate Steve Vander Ark, and that he made a mistake. If he now says it is one and is remorseful for it, It I hope is an opportunity for Mrs. Rowling to bury the Hatchet and forgive, even as far as going/allowing to Mr. Vander Ark to appologize in a personal way (Phone, in person ect.). Also, I hope it is a chance for the fans to unite again with Mr. Vander Ark as one of us, he is a fan, and made a legal mistake, and I hope that there can be a push from all of us, her fans, for reconciliation between the two, even for healing for both, beacuse i believe the man did this with the best intentions and loves what he does, whatever happened and that passion I hope can be recognized and possibly focused for what it is.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 00:10:14
bunt bunt bunt bunt bunt. Serves them right. Stupid Steve Vander Ark
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 00:19:46
OMG Annasmee, your an idiot. "She has taken lots of ideas from the bible." ha ha ha ha... then why did Christians everywhere get so upset about it when it came out? Would you get nasty and upset at someone if they were taking photos of your kids.. i know i would be extremely angry & its against the law (for a good reason)! She went though a hard time, struggled, wrote a fantastic novel and made it work = she deserves every cent. If you did the same you would be upset about someone taking credit, especially just before print, where proceeds go to charity!
The thing is the should have asked permission, they may have made it work, they were in the wrong. Simple as that.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 02:06:36
J.K Rowling is doing what should be done in any case of unwanted infringement. I dont see how any one can say she is being horrible. If someone stole a paper you where working on and turned it in for credit wouldnt you feel upset? She has every right to do what she did. Perhaps if "He-Who-Cant-Come-Up-With -His-Own-S!@$" actually put some commentary into that thing he called a "book" there wouldnt be any issues. Yes Mrs. Rowling did praise his work but that doesnt give him permission to take away from what she did. All of her latest creations proceeds are going to chairty as will the future Potter Pedia. You cant say she is being greedy! She is just trying to protect the foundation that she created through her own blood sweat and tears! He had NO RIGHT to STEAL !HER! work.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 04:01:19
Steve Vander Ark and RDR Books did not steal from J.K. Rowling. She_Who_Must_Not_Be_Named 1
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 04:08:00
Steve Vander Ark and RDR Books did not steal from J.K. Rowling. She_Who_Must_Not_Be_Named 1s analogy is false. What Steve did is nothing like copying a paper you were working on, and turning it in for credit. What Steve did is referencing your paper, making a companion reference work about it with comnmentary and properly attributed quotes.
Im thoroughly disappointed with this ruling. Copyright is an idea I more or less agree with. But it has become a terrible monster, far bigger and far-reaching than originally envisioned and completely beyond what is reasonable. This ruling just aggrevates the problem.
The only smile I got was from the reply of Anthony Falzone, from Stanfords Center for Internet and Society.
"Needless to say were disappointed, as is our client, RDR Books. Careful and thoughtful as the decision is, we think its wrong. So stay tuned to see where we go from here. In the meantime, thank Roger Rapoport, the Publisher of RDR Books for having the courage to stand up for free speech and fair use. He fought a fight that not many would have the stomach to fight, and we are proud to fight with him.
While youre at it, thank Steve Vander Ark. Its not easy to stand up to your hero, or bear the unjustified scorn of your fellow fans.
Finally, remember that avada kedavra -- the killing curse -- is not always fatal. One wizard survived it. Three times. And it was he who cast the spell (and wont be named here) that ultimately suffered for it. Maybe someday the Lexicon will be known as The Book That Lived."
Read the full statement here: http:// cyberlaw.stanford.edu/ case/ rowling-v-rdr-books
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 05:43:02
Considering their options?! What options???
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 07:31:40
Well, Im on JKRs side this time, but guys, do have pity on Steve. He is a harry potter fan like us, or maybe more hp fan than us, and I dont think he did those book for money but giving reference for us to know more about the harry potter world. I think its not right for us to criticize him.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 08:06:00
well, the thing is that this encyclopedia was sloppy and had incorrect information. It also wasnt like a Cliffnotes book - it didnt discuss the material, it just listed all of the spells JKR put in her books, where Steve thought (incorrectly) she got them from and what they did. Thats pretty much it. Books that discuss the material like Mugglenets What Will Happen in Book 7 are fine. This was an encyclopedia, it didnt discuss the material, it just reprinted information in the books without discussing it. :)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 12:10:48
Ok, I like the fact that JK won, but come on... statutory damages? What the hell is that? WB and Rowling dont have enough money? That was a cheap shot to get as much as tehy could out of this. What a load of crap. I am however glad that this is over, and that Rowling won.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 14:04:46
Even though I am a fan of her work, I believe that JK Rowling is a hypocrite. She says that she loves her fans and their work and then turns around and sues them. She always says that she supports fanfiction and sues the people trying to publish fanfiction to give to her as a GIFT. The Lexicon was only trying to help her. They were NOT making up new stuff. They were only taking information straight from the book and giving it to her. That way, all she had to do was add in her own notes. My friend worked on the encyclopedia for the Lexicon and she explained to me their true intentions. JK Rowling is turning into another example of "absolute power corrupts absolutely."
If she wanted to get on a role, why doesnt she sue other works, such as:
SPARKNOTES version of Harry Potter
Looking for God in Harry Potter
Unlocking Harry Potter: Five Keys for the Serious Reader
The Book of Harry Potter Trifles, Trivias, and Particularities
Fact, Fiction, and Folklore in Harry Potters World: An Unofficial Guide
The Complete Idiots Guide to the World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts
Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon
From Homer to Harry Potter: A Handbook on Myth and Fantasy
The Wisdom of Harry Potter: What Our Favorite Hero Teaches Us About Moral Choices (Updated)
And so many more?
Why the Lexicon? Why now? They have been around from the beginning supporting Jo. When they only want to give her a gift to help her. Why Jo, Why?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 15:06:45
The issue still rests in the fact that there was no commentary to The Lexicon. It took JK Rowlings work and and made an encyclopedia of it that had some incorrect information. And, if the plan was to "give" Rowling the book to add her notes, then why didnt they? Why was it going to publication without her notes?
JK Rowling doesnt sue fanfiction authors because they dont make a profit from it. The Lexicon was not fanfiction and so to say Rowling is a hypocrite for suing authors of HP fanfiction is an extraordinarily large misinterpretation of the facts.
To say that Rowling is an example of "absolute power corrupts absolutely" is also a far stretch of the truth. She is not seeking profit from her post-Potter work, charity is. Her victory, though seem do not see it as such, is a win for all authors who want to protect their own work.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 17:39:54
Are you kidding me! They are making them pay for books that werent even a part of the lawsuit! By the Goddess what is this world coming to!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 18:03:15
ignorant little turd nuggets!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:10:53
RDR is a soar loser, they need to except that they lost just as Steve Vander Ark did.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 21:01:12
HAHA they have to pay up. Sorry, but I find it funny. (Glad Jo won.)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 22:34:22
Geez, I agree with those who are saying Rowling is wrong. The ruling was completely bogus. All he did was make a reference book! Its not like it would have hurt her sales for her book, she could but her name on toilet paper and people would pay $50 for a sheet of it. At one point she even admitting to using his site when she couldnt remember every little thing. Whats going to happen next? Is she going to sue webster, because it defines words that she used to write the book? I think the women has let the money and fame get to her head. Oh, and for those of you sitting around and going well shes so generous she does things for charity! No (series of choice words) ! Its called a tax write off. Charity lets you keep your money. All she had to do was sell some clothes items, read a few books, and put some words together. Kinda like what Im doing now...so hard Im sure. She also does this wearing designer clothes, sitting on ridiculously expensive furniture, in god can only imagine (or google can locate) what kinda of house. She wants to be generous? Maybe she should spend a little less on her and actually go out and hand the money to someone on the streets.
Lets not forget that her book is not 100% all out of her head. The story lines, and the personalities of the individual characters maybe, but names language, latin, and even the correct terms (probably taken from a book on witchcraft) are not hers. Making reference books happens all the time, and not by the original author. Lets not forget she couldnt have become rich and successful on her own, it was us the people that got her there. I think she should show a little more graditude and let someone else cash in on her bank cow.
.....but thats just my opinion. Take it or leave it, but please dont rant about it. o_o
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-16 05:03:23
Dude, I think its hilarious that they have to pay for the damage they caused. Yea I hope this teaches people what they should do before they try publishing a Harry Potter book.
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