Michigan Man To Publish Harry Potter Book Despite Losing Cop

by Elizabeth Krum Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:43 pm

Despite losing a copyright infringement lawsuit…a Michigan man says he will still go forward with plans to publish an un-authorized reference guide based on the Harry Potter books.

Detroit Public Radio’s Quinn Klinefelter has more…

In September a federal judge ruled that Muskegon-based R-D-R Books could
NOT publish a proposed Harry Potter lexicon…written by fan and web site operator Steven Vander Ark.

The court also awarded 67-hundred dollars in statutory damages to J-K Rowling…author of the Potter books and Warner Brothers studios…which owns the rights to the film properties.

But now Vander Ark says he will publish a new…and still unauthorized Potter lexicon…within weeks.

The former school librarian…who launched his Potter web site in 2000…says he has learned what is acceptable under fair-use guidelines…so the new lexicon will contain much more critical commentary and interpretation of the Potter universe.

by Guest Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:20 pm

Should he really be allowed to do that if JK Rolwling says no?

by Mariana Diggory Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:52 pm

Boy that guy is playing with law.They can put him in prison and plus his state looses money and it is economical crises everywhere!

by Guest Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:49 pm

Yea I know. He should be allowed to publish anything related to HP without the authors permission.

by **Jemma Tiquelle** Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:51 pm

It depends what he does. The law is very shady here, as other books have been published. He is allowed to publish a book if he adds his own commentary, thoughts, opinions, insights, etc. into it. However, his previous book was 97% copy-pasted from JKR (books, interviews, etc.) which is what started the lawsuit. If he can do a decent reference book which included his own things, it will be fine. But will he?