02.11.08
N.Y. Times on HP Lexicon book fight
As was previously covered on Blogging Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling is involved in a legal fight to stop Steven VanderArk from bringing his HP Lexicon from the internet into print.
The N.Y. Times has a very telling article this week on the subject. Read the whole thing, but here a few powerful excerpts:
JK Rowling on how she feels about the book:
“I feel as though my name and my works have been hijacked, against my wishes, for the personal gain and profit of others and diverted from the charities I intended to benefit,” she said in a declaration to the court.
What she really means is that VanderArk didn’t come kiss her ring:
“There have been a huge number of companion books that have been published,” Mr. Blair said. “Ninety-nine percent have come to speak to us. In every case they have made changes to ensure compliance. They fall in line.” But, he added: “These guys refused to contact us. They refused to answer any questions. They refused to show us any details.”
They fall in line. There, in that one sentence, lies the reason Mr. Falzone and his colleagues have agreed to help represent RDR Books. And it’s why Mr. Lessig decided to start the Fair Use Project in the first place.
Why we should all be chilled by this case:
During my conversation with her representative, Mr. Blair, he pointed me to Ms. Rowling’s Web site, suggesting that would be the best place to find her response to the RDR Books case and the Harry Potter Lexicon. “You have our permission to quote from her Web site,” he said.
I already have that right, Mr. Blair. But thanks anyway.
Isn’t JK rich enough already? Couldn’t she take some advice from Wilco’s “What Light”:
And if the whole world’s singing your songs
And all of your paintings have been hung
Just remember what was yours is everyone’s from now onAnd that’s not wrong or right
But you can struggle with it all you like
You’ll only get uptight
Please reconsider, JK. Please.
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Camille said,
February 11, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I think the point JK was trying to make is that as long as no one was benefiting from her sweat and blood, its okay. It was, what? 14 years or so of hard work. I can’t exactly blame her for trying to protect her works. Even if she is a multi-millionaire now. From my point of view, at least, it is common courtesy for anyone that if you want to take someone else’s work and profit from it, they have to ask permission, and they have to abide by the original writers’ terms and conditions.
Tyleete said,
February 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I am SO along those lines of what you wrote! Thanks!
First off, there have BEEN people who have benefited more money than you’d be surprised to learn (Camille) from her work. I know for sure, that at least one major Harry Potter site (Mugglenet) wrote up a book. It was on the best-sellers list! And guess what? Not only did Rowling not receive any of the profits, neither did ANY charity.:P And to boot? MN as well as the other three main sites, pull in tens of thousands of dollars from their HP sites. I’m sure it’s Quite hard on them and their budgets, as they have to spread it out to the different employees. But she hasn’t gone against a Single one of them profiting from her works.
Not for kissing her ring indeed! I love that! And I like how Blair gave you their ‘permission’ to quote her. ha!
Love your post!!
Chelsie said,
March 16, 2008 at 5:49 am
OKay this isn’t relevant but i have to bring it up somewhere!
Voldemort WASN’T aware Harry was the 7th horcrux
Voldemort SET OUT to make 7 horcruxes (including the one inside him)
so really there should be 8 right??
am I the first to think this or not?