The Grand Rapids Press has spoken with the author of The Harry Potter Lexicon, which just yesterday had its publication halted by a New York City judge. Vander Ark's thoughts after hearing the verdict:
"I've always been a fan of Harry Potter and of Rowling and my hope all along was that we'd find an amicable way to settle this. I'm disappointed, but this is the way it went and I don't hold any ill will at all. It was a question of law over a difference of opinion and, in a way, I'm glad that it's finally over."
The newspaper notes that Vander Ark is currently in England where he's working on a new book which visits real-life locations placed in the Potter series.
You can also view other verdict statements at these links: JKR and WB | RDR Books
Posted by
09-09-2008
at 02:50 AM
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Fan Comments |
Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:00:40
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:02:35
I feel a bit bad for him, it must have been a lot of work to make the lexicon, but he cant publicate it as a book. I thinks hes still a big fan of Jo.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:05:42
BURNNNNNN steve BURNNNNNNN. Why dont you go cry like a little baby again?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:10:01
Im number 4!!!!!!!
Feel sorry for him, he just wanted to share the info with everyone, but it is her work and she has the right over it.
SHUT UP ALEX!! Thats rude! Why dont you go cry like a baby you moron!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:19:35
MC should be interesting this week...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:27:10
Good to hear that hes doing another book. Sounds like that one wont cause any trouble to him. Im with Jo on the case, but SVA is neither stupid or evil - he just had a different opinion.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:51:42
Dont be so crude at him, he didnt mean any harm.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:52:10
"Im glad its finally over". Its his fault the whole thing started. I really dont like him.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 03:53:53
Oh come on purplechoco, as if he didnt have it coming for him. He goes and cries about how he "doesnt feel part of the fandom". Well nuh dah. Youre going against JK Rowling. Shes like our god, what did he expect? Us all to cheer him on about how fantastic he is for fighting against that money stealing excuse for an author. I did feel sorry for him at one stage, but its got the point where I cant even pity him anymore. Hes been totally rejected by the fandom and hes deserved everything hes got.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 04:04:44
PEOPLE ARE YOU HAVING TEENAGE ANGST?I MEAN FIRST WARNER BROTHERS NOW JKR, I MEAN YOU ARE DESTROYING EVERYTHING.ARE YOUR STUPID OR SOMETHING.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 04:12:43
ANGSTANGSTANGSTANGSTANGST . what?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 05:05:32
It would suck to write a book about every detail in the Potter series and then have to pay a fine on top of it not getting published.
Come on, guys, you used to love him. He wanted to give you a book and you want him to die?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 05:40:27
Your kidding....ANOTHER BOOK? Already? Wow, that was a really fast comeback!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 05:45:11
i think it is funny how he was in the thrid movie interviewed about the special features and stuff. i have only been on the lexiicon to see the layout of the Dursleys. and COME ON SVA!!! HOW COULD JKR LOSE????? SHE IS JKR!!!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 06:20:13
Serves him right. Im glad to hear that Jo finally won the case! I think she has all the right as the author of the book to decide whats done with the series. Anyway, shouldnt have SVA/RDR thought about whether their book violates copyright? Being the founder of the Lexicon, Steve should have known that Jo wanted to make her own encyclopaedia, with all the little details not found in the books and loads of background information, right? But no, he still goes ahead and creates his OWN encyclopaedia, which is basically the Lexicon in book form. Thats a bit dumb, really, because anyone with Internet access can just go online and get the information for FREE. Also, Jos book was supposed to be sold for CHARITY, whilst the profit from HIS version would just benefit him and the publishers. Im extremely glad that Jo won. Hopefully, this will mean that shell be writing her encyclopaedia soon (though its entirely up to her when she wants to start)! :D
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 06:26:54
He cost her far more than that in lawyers and her own time. She had to travel and be away from her kids for this trial, so yeah, I think the fine was scaled to what he could afford and appropriate.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 06:44:56
Am I the only one who is seriously missing the online Lexicon? I mean, I totally agree with the courts desicion, and it was totally wrong for a so-called fan to go to court over such a thing, but I really, really need the online version. I used it several times daily and now Im lost. Its very hard to check small facts in the books themselves because its hard to remember where said fact was. Even if/when JK writes her encyclopedia, it wont be so point-and-click easy to access as the HP Lexicon.
My hope is that Steve realizes that theres no need to be a baby about the court decision and puts the lexicon back up for those of us that really need and appreciate it.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 08:05:45
Ahh finally over.Congrats JO.Justice was served.SVA should owe her more becasue of her expensives but oh well.Im glad i never used that lexicon.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 08:30:27
it says it all right there in his comments... "my hope all along was that wed find an amicable way to settle this" not that the judge would settle in his favor... not that legally he felt he was in the right... but that they would settle amicably which to me says that what he was interested in was
$$. counting on the fact that Jo has the money to make a legal problem go away instead of fight it. its a shame
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 08:32:08
Congrats to Jo/WB for winning...and congrats to Steve for moving on. I think the book hes writing now will be a big help for Potter fans who decide to go to the UK (plus this upcoming book of his explains why Andy said he walked past Steve in his Rm.3428 vlog!) Imagine, this lawsuit uprooted their lives for quite a bit of time. Its over and now they can move on.
And by the way, there are still ways of finding the Lexicon online. You just cant go to the main page of it. Instead try: hp-lexicon.info/index-2.h tml and youll find it.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 09:22:50
Dont hate on Steve, he just made a big mistake. Everyone does that sometimes. And lol haripoter, if Ive ever seen teenage angst its when someone writes in ALL CAPS LOCK LIKE THIS. ;) I call it "book five harry and the caps locks of rage."
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 09:26:50
You guys are idiots. Steve cried? GET WITH IT, so did JKR. God, he truly is a fan. Look, hes writing another book... Poor guy.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 09:28:51
"The newspaper notes that Vander Ark is currently in England where hes working on a new book which visits real-life locations placed in the Potter series"
OMG is he serious!? It seems to me like he just wants to make some quick cash out of the HP franchise. Plus he would have received an advance from the publishers and theyre still going to want a book from him.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 09:48:06
I cant believe after all of this he still wants to go out and write another HP-themed book.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 10:07:31
what a dumbass. seriously, why not write something creative of his own instead of stealing from jo. if he is such a big fan then why is he trying to screw her over and take money away from her. it is her books, her world, her creation, not his, so he should not cash in on her genious. what a jerk.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 10:33:35
It serves him right to lose, but I certainly dont hate him. He just made bad choices (VERY bad choices) about what he wanted to do to make money. I actually strongly dislike him at the moment, but I think itll blow over. Ha ha.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 10:40:35
Im with Steve.
The "he only did it to make money" argument is pathetic, the reason to do most things is money.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 11:23:57
Umm all of you must be lost. You are all saying (ok not all of you but most) That he just wants to cash in on Harry. But how many books came out about HP before HBP? I mean even are dear Mugglenet has a book out do they not? All Steve was trying to do was add a little more for us. And I think its great that he is trying to give us all a little more in site to our beloved HP. Lexicon was and is still a great site. I love going to it. I still havent gotten through everything that is on the site, but its still a great site. Sorry but thats just my thoughts.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 12:28:13
wHO THE ffucckk DOES VANDER ARK THINK HE IS?!? AND HES GONNA WRITE A BOOK IN ENGLAND ABOUT SOME SITES IN THE POTTER BOOKS... DOES HE FREAKIN THINK HES GONNA BE THE NEXT JK ROWLING OR SOMETHING???!?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 12:28:13
wHO THE ffucckk DOES VANDER ARK THINK HE IS?!? AND HES GONNA WRITE A BOOK IN ENGLAND ABOUT SOME SITES IN THE POTTER BOOKS... DOES HE FREAKIN THINK HES GONNA BE THE NEXT JK ROWLING OR SOMETHING???!?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 13:45:53
The bullies who spew rancor at Mr. VanderArk are acting like Dudleys! You kick an avid fellow fan when hes down, call him a rat, when all he was trying to do was bring his vast knowledge of the Potter world to fruition. (That really reveals who are the children in this crowd.) I side with Jo on this, but lets face it...it was a fine-line decision, even for the judge. I admire Steves enthusiasm and knowledge, and I think hes brave to admit defeat and move on without bitterness. Hes an honorable fan, not a sheep following the rabid crowd.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 13:56:12
i think he has a lot of nerve- he does all of this to jkr, keeps her away from her kids, mekes her go through with defending HER creation, wastes court time, then the minuite he possibly can trys to find a DIFFERENT way of gaining some money out of someone elses hard work and creativity?! after she has just put up with all of the stress of this case, he is going to basically screw her over again...pathetic....if he was a true fan, he would respect the person who created harry potter (...and i dont mean hero worship or anything like that, before anyone thinks that). thats what a true fan would do, further proof that this is all about money to him
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 14:01:27
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 14:02:43
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 14:05:12
Once Steve signed on with RDR, THEY made decisions regarding how far to take the case - not him. He couldnt have backed out even if hed wanted to from early on.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 14:39:29
I wish people like chaosLydia would go to school and learn about intellectual property rights and copyright law. You all think you know more than a judge does about these matters? You dont. Steve could have written many different types of books based on Harry Potter and used excerpts within the law of fair use, but he did not. He practically cut-and-pasted all his "work" from the Potter books...and thats a violation of copyright law. Jo has EVERY RIGHT to protect her work. In fact, she has made it much easier for authors everywhere to protect their intellectual property. Fanfiction for the sake of posting it for your friends is questionable at best (legally)...but the minute you try to make money off of it, you are in violation of copyright law. She created those characters. She created the world. You want to be a big writer? Get your own damned characters and create your own world. Trust me, very few authors consider copyright violation to be a gift or take it as a compliment. Its like plagiarism. Its stealing. Im very sad that so many people are resorting to name calling to justify Jos position. Stick to the facts, people. It was a violation of the law and a judge said so. The fact that so few people understand this is scary to people like me who make a living from our words.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 14:41:06
Hang on. What most everyone here seems to foget is the very idea that everything about Harry Potter came from Jos imagination. Once she puts it into words it is copywrited, meaning no one can use her EXACT wording without giving her credit in said publication. Anything that is written by anyone is automatically copywrited, period. But the thing is you can not copy write an IDEA. So the very idea of a story about a girl who goes to a wizarding school to learn magic she never knew she had and in the meantime battles the ultimate evil is legally okay to write. There is absolutely NOTHING Jo can do about that. It seems though, Lexicon does have excerpts that are exact and if I remember correctly, Jo was credited. If Steve Vander Ark was trying to pass off a book as an encyclopedia in his own words with properly credited excerpts from Jo, I dont see the problem. Dont get me wrong, I think Jo has a brilliant mind and imagination and I am grateful she allowed us into that, but if shes trying to control what others do with her IDEA...that is wrong. Legally wrong. Sorry.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 14:49:30
crud - copy write / copyright... he said, she said; you say tomayto I say tomahto.... I stand corrected, it is copyright. My apologies. Id like to add though, if this Vander Ark individual indeed was passing off material in this book from only copy and pasted material from Jos work as his, legally he was in the wrong and the verdict was just. But again, you can not copyright an IDEA. Otherwise Jo wouldnt have been able to write Harry Potter herself.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 14:58:07
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 15:15:15
Hannah, youre not exactly right...but youve got the general idea. There is a part of the law that covers derivative works. If it is a blatant rip-off (and not, say, a parody like Spaceballs is to Star Wars) there *can be* copyright violation in a story about a young girl wizard who...etc. Thats a harder case to prove, but its still covered and can be, at the very least, challenged. But, lets be honest...how many publishers are going to touch a book that is a blatant rip-off of something thats already "been done." Unless a writer can put a fresh spin on something, then no one would be interested outside of posting it for free on the Internet. As to the crediting, thats only part of the law. It has to do with the percentage of work credited to an outside source and Ive read upwards of 91% of Lexicons book was lifted straight from Jo. That is an unacceptable percentage. Obviously. You are right that IDEAS cannot be copyrighted and that all work is copyrighted the minute a writer writes it. My post is copyrighted and cannot, under the law, be excerpted at someone elses blog or website without my permission, except under the guidelines of fair use. So is yours!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 15:20:48
At least hes being a good sport about it. Jos said since at least the year 2000 that she was going to "probably" make an encyclopedia and to "accept no substitutions!" Someone claiming to be as big a fan of hers as Steve, they should have known that. And respected that.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 15:31:56
I still fail to completely understand why other encyclapedias havent been challenged and this one has, but that really doesnt matter now. Its just my opinion; only that of the judge counts for anything. I really hoped that posters would have had more maturity than to attack SVA like this, however. But I suppose I shouldnt have had such high expectations.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 15:40:45
Pottersoccermom: Thank you for your obvious insight - I truly appreciate it. Trust me, I am thankful for copyright laws and intellectual property rights (and yes, I am fully aware that each of these posts fall under the copyright laws.) I agree with you that anyone who would write something that is a blatant rip-off of a wildly successful series would be crazy to publish it, but they do exist. Ever hear of the Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimo? Charlie Bone is a 12 yo magical being who is sent to an academy by his awful aunts. His power is someone who can converse and visit with people in photographs. He makes friends and enemies along the way in searching for his missing father. Sound vaguely familiar? It screams Harry Potter within each page...yet it still was published. My argument is if Vander Ark was to write an encyclopedia using his own words and properly crediting Jos words within its text should be okay to do. As it is, Im understanding that wasnt the case - and as I said before, the verdict was just.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 16:21:39
http://hogwartsradio.com/ episodes/HR09-09-2008.mp3
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 16:41:09
Its not right for Steve to be treated like the worlds biggest ass hole for doing this. Yeah, Steve violated her copyright, but that doesnt mean he is a bad person. I left the fandom for a bit, and when I came back and heard about the lawsuit, I was shocked. But I never thought that he would be shunned by all his friends. I never thought Leaky would completely sever ties with the guy. People literally stopped being his friend as a result of this incident. Jo is extremely important, but she is NOT god, and not someone I would stop a friendship over (and, NO, I am not saying EVERYONE has an altar in their closet containing a statue of Jo whose feet they kiss every night, nor am I saying everyone was best buds with Steve).
He is in no way a jerk for writing another book either; MuggleNets done it, and Mellisa from Leaky is doing it, and so have a bagillion others. They definitely arent jerks. He was an amazing fan--extremely dedicated an knowledgeable, and I will not stop respecting and liking him because of this, and will not stop listening to old PotterCasts with him on it.
Also, Jo didnt do this for the money, as all of hers is going to charity--she did this to protect all authors copyrights. The money obviously would not have been a factor anyway; the profits from his Lexicon would in no way affect the money from her encyclopedia.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 16:41:50
Hannah, I totally hear you. Youre 100% right. I havent heard of the Charlie Bone series at all, but Ill keep an eye out for it. Youre right...Lexicon could have written the book if hed just relied more on his own writing and less on Jos. Glad to know Im not the only one who respects this law!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 17:45:24
This shouldnt have ever been a case to take to court. He didnt infringe on any copyright law because he gave JK Rowling all credit for the material contained in the books. He never said that any of the material was his own or anything like that. Im so sick of JKR suing every single fricking person she can in order to get more money and more recognition.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 18:31:07
******ok, you people who think that its stupid of him to go to court need to look at it from his point of view. first of all, it was rdr books that pushed this trial, and he had very little to do with it. and hes said many times he loves the books and jo. AND jo needed a reality slap anyways, shes very greedy to take someone to court because they might take away from her immense fortune. I love hp and jo, and i agree with steve that its good the trial is over, but all you h8rs need to chill. its over. its done. he apologized. grow up, stop calling him a dumb ass, and get over it.********
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 18:38:26
Poor Steve! You people are so RUDE and MEAN. Stop being so horrible. Whether or not he should have won this case (and I think he should have), he does NOT deserve to be put down like this. How can you say hes not a fan of the books? He created the best HP-related website. Everyone checks it for facts all the time. THAT is devotion. I am happy to hear hes working on a new book. They cant sue him over this one. Good for him for not backing down or giving up over this. I hope he knows there are more mature people out there who wont disown him over this crap.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:03:55
Kareen: once someone uses another persons copyrighted material for profit, to make money off of, then there is a problem. Its not that Jo wants more money, its the mere fact that someone else will be profiting from her work that is against the law. I suspect you wouldnt like it if someone was making money off of something you said or had written, now would you? This is why there is a law protecting artists, be they writers, musicians or painters to name a few.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:04:56
all i gotta say is congratulations JKR :]
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:17:18
im not going to say he is too old to be a fan, in books age doesnt matter. But writing book on people and places? spending money to go visit these palces..spending time to right about these places...isnt that beyond being a fan...?Why am i a lttile creeped out...? Is it even that big of a deal...?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:21:02
Pottersoccermom: Wow! Thank you! You put my thoughts and opinions and made them sound smarter than what I would have done. x)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:26:03
excuse me people, ofcourse i thought about the whole case..it comes down to this...her books, her authority. Do i care that he cried...? F*&( no! who does? Boo friggin who you little whimp! Man up to what you did! Harry potter isnt your life! It isnt anyones life! Its Jos life, no matter how much stuff you buy, no matter how many times you read the books, you will forever and always remane a fan, dedicated or not. Its Jos life, she wrote it, she made the money to support her family, its her life. Anyone who enjoys the books to no matter what extent is a fan. Its not your "life". if they stopped printing books for hp, you wont die....every one needs to stop saying its their life. i love harry potter, i really do im a fan, i have merchendice, but it isnt my life, i ust love te series, we all do. each and every one of you...................... ..talk about a useless rant!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:44:20
Thanks, superfish31. As an author myself, I have thought long and hard about these issues. Im one of many authors, musicians, artists, photographers, etc. who are outraged by the sense of entitlement among people who think it is just OKAY to steal from an author because that author has money (and believe me, most of us DONT have money.) But its not okay to steal from the rich, either. Stealing is wrong. Copyright infringement is stealing. Whether or not people like Kareen can see that is part of the problem. They refuse to acknowledge that authors have unquestionable and priceless right to their own intellectual property. When someone like Jo takes the time and expense to fight this battle, it helps everyone, like me, who doesnt have the resources to fight. Every case won makes the case law stronger.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:48:29
yeah for smart people Hannah_at_Hogwarts and Pottersoccermom!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! i totally agree with yall. i think RDR should have to pay more money than what they have to pay (i forgot the exact amount.) does SVA have to pay the money or doesRDR books pay it. because RDR should pay it not SVA.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 19:54:12
i can tell u are an author Pottersoccermom because you explain your thoughts really well.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 21:13:37
Emerson did the same thing. He did it in a more clever way, working together with WB/J.K.R. and got rich doing it. Ever wonder why Mugglenet.com hasnt been sued yet for creating its own Harry Potter encyclopedia? Well, ever wonder why Mugglenet.com always supports Warner Brothers no matter what theyre planning or what decisions they make? By the way, Emersons found a nice way of making profit off of J.K. Rowlings work. Quoting the creator himself from a BusinessWeek magazine article (http://www.businessweek. com/bwdaily/dnflash/conte nt/jun2007/db20070622_592 856.htm?campaign_id=rss_t ech), he pulls in a six-figure income. Meaning that is what he get out of running the site, with all costs deducted. Profit. Nice, isnt it? Well have made him a millionaire by the time he graduates college simply by visiting the site. Great.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 21:14:10
I dont think Steve cried because of the case, I think he cried because people seemed to kind of abandon him because of it. He lost a lot of good friends from Leaky. So in a way, it kind of was his life, or at least a large chunk of it, because a lot of good friends came from it.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 21:18:09
www.businessweek.com/bwda ily/dnflash/content/jun20 07/db20070622_592856.htm Page break screwed up the link. Hope it works now.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 21:27:40
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 21:40:20
I for one am sick and tired of hearing about Steve Vander Ark... He got his 30 seconds of fame, what more does he want? Perhaps an award classifying him as the worlds biggest jackass? And for those idiots who keep calling Jo a hypocrite, thats ridiculous. It is HER story and HER ideas, and she can sue whoever the hell steals her ideas and tries to make a profit out of it. And dont give me the usual crap, saying that hes not after the money...And my favorite part of this whole thing? Hes decided to make another effin book.
Well, that being said...Mr. Vander Ark has lost my respect because hes taken this situation THIS far.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 23:30:58
Jesus - leave the poor guy alone!
What Im more concerned here about is how after years of being in awe of his (INCREDIBLE) lexicon, the fandom snaps around and bites him on the ass! Hes maintained that site for years - hours and hours and hours of hard work he put into it. I personally believe RDR is to blame for this fiasco, not backing down to WB. What if Emerson did something like that? Published the material on MN (not that he would)? Would you all hate him like you now detest Steve?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-09 23:47:37
Annabella, I agree.
I think its a bit rich for these people to say that Steve isnt a true Harry Potter fan, as so many of them are doing. When was the last time you compiled and sorted every bit of information found in the Harry Potter series and related sources into an easy to navigate encyclopedia that even Ms Rowling uses in the writing of her series? How can the person who did such a thing not love the series as much as you think you do?
And following the pattern, I think these people people would hate Emerson if he published the material on this site in the interests of providing easily accessible information to the fans.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 02:32:09
http://hogwartsradio.com/ episodes/HR09-09-2008.mp3
HERE ARE THE TRUE REASONS FOR THE DELAY LISTEN TO THE END.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 05:40:11
Thanks pottersoccermom and lydia for clearing my thoughts. I wish I was smart like you guys to say precisely what I think and in such a smart way.
About Charlie Bone, I like those books but I never thought it had anything to do with Harry Potter until I read this. Anyway, it is quite unique from a point of view and if it was inspired by Harry Potter then the author probably added her own creation to a vague harry Potter storyline.
I am amazed at the power the harry potter fandom holds. To lose all your friends is a great loss.
Though I must say I am furious of the fact that he is actually writing another book of something in the hp world. In my opinion, he should just leave the Harry Potter World and fresh up to something new if he wants to seek forgiveness.
Good on you Jo, Im glad she won. ( I kind of expected it anyway )
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 05:53:21
as much as i hoped jo would win the case, people need to really lay off of him. if you had a chance to make money of the series, you would bite into it. so tey to lighten up, i am...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 06:28:08
Congratulations Rowling! So glad she won!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 06:46:53
Congratulations to JKR on her successful case win; it was nice of SVA to compile all of the HP facts for people like us to enjoy, but it was a no-no for him to take that work and think it was okay to make his own. 91% was not his own work, indeed! Thanks for that tidbit, Pottersoccermom! Im glad the Lexicon is still online, however: http:// www. hplex. org/ because its still dead useful for fan fic writers...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 08:44:32
you gotta feel sorry for the guy. I agree with mugglecast, he seemed kinda pushed into it by RDR books. but seriously. another book? LOL
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 10:36:36
I understand why he wanted to make it. He just didnt add his own comments in the books like the other books that are out there. If you guys read the mugglenets book you would find out that a lot of the things that are in it is there own thoughts and less on quotes from the books. I heard that 93% of Vanders book was from the books. Thats called stealing...but I do understand why he wanted to do it. He just made a wrong choice in the matters. Also now that you look back at it...6,000 dollars isnt anything compare what she should have made him pay.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 12:46:16
Some of the comments made toward Steve Vander Ark on this page have disgusted me. Im sure many of you were fans of the lexicon site before this lawsuit happened (as was JKR,) and Im sure this was not a comfortable situation for anyone involved in the case.
Please learn to think for yourself, and not blindly follow the opinions of your beloved JKR. And PLEASE think before you write things in public spaces.
I, for one, am looking forward to Steves new book, and send my wishes of good luck.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 17:01:40
Its pretty suckish how it didnt get published after EVERYTHING he did to make the book. But I have to go with JKRowling on this one. You cant write a whole encyclopedia about a copyrighted subject and distribute it worldwide without the authors permission. ESPECIALLY when shes planning to make her own encyclopedia! But anyways, I do kinda feel bad for the guy. After everything.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 17:33:00
Wow, his quote in this story is in stark contrast to his quotes from many months ago, when he basically said he was fighting for all us fans against the evil JK Rowling. He probably is glad that it is over, and maybe this is some sort of mea culpa to the fans, but Im sorry, the stuff he said before against JKR is really kind of hard for him to take back.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 18:41:53
Come on, guys. Sure the guy did a bad thing, but its not like he killed your mother or something. He tried to publish a book. Granted it was copyrighted material, but that doesnt suddenly mean everyone should hate him/want him to die. I honestly kind of feel bad for him.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 21:11:18
Hi, I just want to add my two cents to this court case. first, I am glad that JKR won her case. Personally, I thought the case ended a couple of months ago. Two, I sent an e-mail to Mugglecast about the trial and they read it on air. No one from Mugglecast will shun Steve if they meet him after the trial. They said it was unprofessional. So were does that leave Leaky? I was embarrassed that the whole thing went to trial because I heard from Mugglecast or someone who said Steve was a librarian. As a librarian, he show know better. I am glad that he is trying to write another book. Three, I usually go to the Lexicon from JKRs web-site. I havent checked lately, but I hope I can still access it. I found a slew of essays that where written and I enjoyed reading all of them.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-10 21:56:37
OH! This whole load of dreck was just a slight misunderstanding??????
Does SVA really think we are idiots!?! What a JERK!!!! He wanted to make a quick buck and not have to work for it ... Guess what that is called? THEFT!!!!!!
He is a plagarist and now we have an official federal court ruling to testify to what we all already knew!
Hey Steve ... Dry Up and Blow Away! You have had more than your 15 Minutes!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 03:13:56
I still can not believe someone tried to actually do this?! Ive read what some are saying. I dont hate this person. Regardless being a fan or not. I got to wonder why he did it? It had to be a money issue. I mean this is not like some books that discuss the Potter series in details about whether you can find God in them. Or many books that are similar. This was to be an encyclopedia of information where so much of it was written by J.K.Rowling herself. And he just copied and put it into a condensed format. Which is the main reason J.K.Rowling and WB sued. It wasnt about the money. She has more money than the catholic church. And she donates a lot to charity. So anyone thinking its about that, theyre wrong. Did RDR pressure him into it? I think not. Sorry, but I think he had some dollar signs in his eyes. They stroked him just the right way with a sweet deal and he did it. And thats where he made a stupid mistake. He tried to steak from the very person whom he has praised int he past. So I can see why some chastises him. Just cause the case of settles. Doesnt mean all is forgiven. He will have to prove himself again and that will take some time. But for him to start about Harry Potter based book. I think he is looking for trouble. He should just stay away from that franchise for a while.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 08:47:37
"seriously, why not write something creative of his own instead of stealing from jo."
Didnt she steal the original harry potter though? Everyone keeps jumping on this This is jos story he has no right to use it" bandwagon, but they seem to forget that there was already a magical boy named harry potter out there who had to fight off trolls and magical enemies........
http://w ww.imdb.com/title/tt00921 15/ - sounds like Jo is just as guilty of copying others work as the people she sues...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 11:39:15
That photo of him reminds me of a goofy Stephen King..otherwise, no comment.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 11:42:26
I agree with pottersoccermom. Vander Ark did not have the right to sell what was essentially not his own work. Period. The law is not going to change simply because JKR doesnt need the money. She still needs her rights. On a different note, I know what Vander Ark did might make us angry as fans, but he did accept his defeat with dignity and grace, so I think thats how we should accept our victory as a fan community. Its not my place to forgive him (well leave that up to JKR), but we can try to forget and move on. I do miss the online version of the Lexicon, and I hope we can get in back:)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 12:26:50
What annoyed me were discrepancies between what SVA said and what he did. He said several different times that he wouldnt publish the Lexicon, then he turned around and did it, with gusto. He led the fans to believe he was a victim, duped by RDR, then he turned around and made quotes that he was fighting for fair use laws, sounding like the last thing he was was duped. He said one thing and then did another; or he said one thing and then he said another. When you act that way, people feel like you are lying to them and playing them for fools, and that makes them angry. I dont hate the guy, I mean Ive been forced to eat my words a time or two, but I cant really sympathize with him because he appears to have been so manipulative and he seems unapologetic about it.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 15:56:16
moonshyne, youre kidding, right? Thats an old, well worn path. JKR did not steal anyones idea...and even if she DID, there is no copyright on ideas. I could write a book about a boy named Duke Suncatcher who has to fight against an evil rebellion using a powerful magic called the Source and George Lucas wouldnt be able to sue me. Of course, everyone would know I was a hack, but it still wouldnt be illegal. Jos work is hers and she has the handwritten manuscripts to prove it. I dont understand why people cant accept that her hard work and fabulous imagination are real and deserving of compensation. Makes me wonder...if she were a really rich MAN, would people be so quick to say she doesnt deserve her money or fame? I think not.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 17:27:18
you can turn it into a SEXIST thing all you want, but that doesnt change the fact that she is a huge hypocrite. I mean, how many Tolkien encyclopedias are there out there? How many encyclopedias are out there for any number of books? Its only a problem this time because Jo has let greed go to her head. Its no surprise that the law would decide in favor of the folks with millions of dollars worth of attorneys.
Ive still never really had anyone explain to me WHY its okay for SOME folks to write books based entirely on the same information, information probably obtained at least in part from the HP lexicon, and yet since JO decided to throw a fit over this one everyone had to mindlessly follow along.
It doesnt matter how old, or how well worn the path might be, its still just as valid as ever. Stealing story lines, plots and characters from other artists is still theft, no matter how hard you try to imagine that it isnt. At least, it is according to the laws of the United States. Handwritten manuscripts dont count when the first movie pre-dates them. At least SVA was only trying to offer educational services, and not streal someone elses ideas and try to play them off as his own.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-11 19:51:10
I agree with the verdict, that information only belongs to Jo and she has a right over it. But I feel sorry for Steve. I believe he really is a big Harry Potter fan and he just made a mistake and got caught up in the whole lawsuit thing (so actually its RDRs fault). Otherwise why would anyone fight a court case against their idol? Im not sure that he should write another HP related book though. Jo might not sue him this time but WB might...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-12 05:18:50
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-12 08:42:58
Well, Im glad its over too... But I need to point out that the publisher was really in mala fide to propose, in a first moment, to publish the book...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-12 08:55:50
Sorry for writing again, but Id like to clarify some things for moonshyne.
The author (or his/her heirs) can assing their rights as they want. I mean, they can consent someone to publish a book as long as they receive a fee (but can do it for free too), they can assing exclusivity and so on... The terms of the agreement made between JKR and WB limits other publications (as long as I know).
In my countrym for instance, author rights are valid for some time, they dont last forever, that is, after 50 years, anyone can publish a book.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-12 09:00:42
But suddenly something occurs to me... moonshyne, are you SVA
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-12 14:59:57
Sorry, the whole comment is: "But suddenly something occurs to me... moonshyne, are you SVAs mother?"
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-12 15:24:01
ALL U PEOPLE KNOW THEYRE JUST BOTHERING JK ROWLING JUST BECAUSE ITS STILL HARD FOR THEM TO BELIEVE THAT A WOMAN COULD COME UP WITH THE WHOLE PHENOMENAL WORLD OF HARRY POTTER.. BUT IF THAT WAS JRR. TOLKEIN OR C.S. LEWIS... THEYLL GET ALL THE CREDIT! ITS SEXISM GUYS, SEXISM!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-12 22:30:46
Moonshyne, you are an idiot. You have no grasp of law, so dont pretend that you do. Had you read all the comments here and the court documents, you would understand PLAINLY why SVA lost this case. It has nothing to do with who has the most money unless you are implying that the judge was paid off, in which case, why isnt this big news? The law is the law. BTW, copyright is the duration of an authors life, plus 70 years. There are ways to extend copyright, but essentially, this law is why the estate of Margaret Mitchell controls all rights to Gone With The Wind all this time after her death. However, just because a book is in the public domain (hope I dont confuse you with all these real legal terms) does not mean anyone can print up a copy of Hamlet and say they wrote it. SVA broke the law because he did NOT write an encyclopedia. He did not WRITE anything. He simply CATALOGUED information written by JKR. 91% of his book, according to court documents, were in JKRs words. Thats against the law. Do not attempt a battle of wits with me or anyone else here...you are unarmed.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-13 04:44:08
i agree, the biggest problem was that Steve wrote to Little of his own in his books, i checked the numbers and it was to little own work and too much copying of JKR, if he had wrotten mroe own stuff or had writen more editorials nad put in the bock and passed the minimun requirements to publish it as his own work, then it would had been okey.
But they could always appeal the verdict or rewrite it.
It siple to bypass that verdict ans still print it and save themself the legal problems.
1:more own work and get atleast 80% JKR, 20% own work for example adn the 20 percent can be added byown writen editorials or cowrite with other people editorias to fill out hte enough pages.
2:appeal and drag it through an another court, with luck they might win or loose again (one never knows).
3:accept and move on.
Since i am quite used to deal with US Copyright since i run a torrent site on sweden, i deal with US copyright on daliy basis with stupid legal threats from across the pond(USA), legal dept theating me to drag me to Court on Europe with US laws on Swedish on European soli, one could imagine the US Legal dept should know better by now speacially on copyright issues.
My only advice to Steve is write alot more on stuff and it will be no major issues to print the Same book that lost in US court to be printed, and JKR can complin all she wants since she won
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-13 06:07:41
sorry but the whole sexist thing never actually occured to me but yeah I guess its true. I dont think people would speak so passionately against J K Rowling if she were a man.
Society dosent sound changed even with all the women rights.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-13 21:42:15
nidale93 i totally agree.....leave him alone (goesy for myself aswell)...he still creeps me out!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-13 21:42:16
nidale93 i totally agree.....leave him alone (goesy for myself aswell)...he still creeps me out!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-15 04:21:28
oh i love harry potter lexicon! and im in australia and i neva knew he wrote books! omg i gotta go to london someday!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-15 09:54:52
Pottersoccermom, I love you.
Well, it seems UK is a good place to protect authors rights, better than my country, anyway...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-15 10:34:21
Walfreeda, right back atcha! (American for I love you, too!) Those who love words and those who love authors and those who love readers and reading and ESPECIALLY who love copyright laws and a creative artists right to protect their intellectual property should inherit the earth, IMO!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-16 14:00:33
I dont understand why everyone feels so bad for him! He must have known what he was gonna get him self into. I mean, of course its for the money. He already has a website, theres no need to print it out and sell it for $25. And hes so creepy looking!!! He looks like a friggen ten year old!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2008-09-18 20:12:21
...wow. Jo made such a ridiculous and pigheaded move here. First, Dumbledores "gay", and then this guy is wrong for publishing something that helped Jo out... If she makes another book, Im not buying.
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