Gothamist: Harry Potter Judge Wishes for Settlement

roe

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:35:15 -0500

Considering that Rowling has donated all of the sales of three Potter-related books she wrote to charity and apparently doesn't mind all the other Harry Potter guides and satire books on the market, it's a bit shortsighted to consider this a "copyright monopoly" or a cash grab. This particular lexicon rehashed every single scene in her books line by line, which was far more than fair use. Rowling worked for decades on these books, they're her characters and it's her work. I don't see why she's a villain for insisting that her copyright and property be protected.

Murray Hillster

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:58:07 -0500

"If this book is published, the floodgates will open." And then what? Floodgates open, and ... ? What? What's the parade of horribles that we should be fearing? Lots of crappy Harry Potter encyclopedias? Lots of other Harry Potter products? And this would be bad for what reason? People would stop writing fantasy novels because they could only make a billion dollars? Truth is there's only one person being hurt by this encyclopedia, and its Rowling. Heaven forbid she doesn't vacuum up every cent that is in any way related to Harry Potter. The fact that a billionaire could theoretically be hurt by this encyclopedia is far outweighed by strengthening fair use rights for third parties. Let's hope the court doesn't further aid and abet her draconian enforcement of the Harry Potter copyright monopoly.

Reality Czech

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:17:54 -0500

she's a greedy bitch.

TKaisen

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:54:00 -0500

How dare he steal work after she worked so hard to steal it from other fantasy writers.

cgee

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:25:22 -0500

1908? Writers of bad satire should check their dates better. Also, you left in a Rowling reference from your block-copy of the original text.

James Shaw

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:58:19 -0500

April 17, 1908 Shakespeare Judge Wishes for Settlement As the William Shakespeare copyright infringement trial drew to a close yesterday, the judge urged the two parties to use their “imaginations” and agree to a settlement. The judge professed a love of literature and invoked Chaucer as cautionary tale, “A very sad story. Litigation isn’t always the best way to solve things." But in their closing arguments, attorneys for both sides seemed far from a settlement. Shakespeare’s lawyers argue that the proposed publication of a Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary by Alexander Schmidt would not only hurt Shakespeare’s books sales but also marketing of plays and movies and merchandise. The author also said the book amounted to “the wholesale theft of my life’s hard work." In William’s final testimony yesterday, the judge asked if he could imagine anyone “reading this lexicon for entertainment value?” “Honestly, your Honor, no,” Shakespeare replied. “But if I may say it without being arrogant or vain, I think there is very good material in there – and I wrote it.” He further said, "I am not here because I was worried about losing sales or my being the creative source being denied. I'm here because I passionately believe that this case is about authors' right to protect their creation. If this book is published, the floodgates will open." And Rowling insisted the man behind the book, Alexander Schmidt – who tearfully told the court Tuesday he felt cast out from "the entire Shakespearian" – should be free to publish some sort of Shakespeare book: "I never ever once wanted to stop Mr. Schmidt from doing his own guide – never ever. Do your book, but please, change it so it does not take as much of my work."” The judge, who is deciding the case without a jury, is expected to give his decision in three weeks. He seemed nonplussed by Shakespeare’s quote above and asked if the famous author would care to discourse on the difference between the original material and a dictionary, lexicon, or compilation of factual information based upon the plays meant as a resource rather than entertainment.

babyhitler

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:58:00 -0500

she's pretty hot for a 45 year old billionaire.

amsci

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:51:17 -0500

The jacket must certainly go.

thedroog

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:48:01 -0500

can j.k. rowling and her hack writing please go away? like right now?

Nick S

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:18:34 -0500

why on earth is this getting so much coverage on here? who cares??

Politburo

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:08:33 -0500

I'm not sure how that's relevant.

Amanda Harlech

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:58:39 -0500

http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1145&p=front&a=2