In The News
Lexicon Trial Updates and Important Announcement about Floo Network
FlooWe owe quite a few updates tonight, and there is an important announcement following (since the information in this post is vital to that announcement, so make sure to read the whole thing):
Update:: Agence France-Presse says JKR will be a witness.
Firstly, the April 14 trial in the JKR/WB vs. RDR Books case will be a bench trial, meaning that there will be no jury. A witness list is due by April 4.
Secondly, Steve Vander Ark of the Harry Potter Lexicon gave an interview recently to BlogHogwarts, which Alejandro of BlogHogwarts kindly sent to us in the original English (it was translated to Spanish for the site):
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“Do you think that, if Lexicon wins the case, the Harry Potter fansites are going to be affected in any way(Lexicon Online included)?
A victory for RDR Books will protect the rights of fans to create based on someone else’s work. If RDR Books loses, copyright holders will be given broad new control over fan activity, control which will allow them to shut down sites, stop authors from writing about their works, etc. So a win for RDR Books is definitely in the best interest of fans who create websites, write fanfiction, make wands, compose wizard rock, and so on. I am surprised how many fans have missed this point. Their freedom to create is on the line here.
How many pages does the Lexicon book have?The Lexicon book will have around 400 pages. It’s 160,000 words. The book has four authors. I am the main author, but three of my Lexicon editors worked on the book as well.
If the Lexicon is published, once the Scottish Book gets out, will you still update Lexicon Online and Book?
I’m as excited to buy Rowling’s Scottish book as anyone! It will be very different from the Lexicon book, with a lot of new and exciting information which only Rowling can provide. I will continue to update the Lexicon website. I love working on the Lexicon and will do so even if I have no staff and even when people don’t read Harry Potter much anymore. Beyond that, I have written another book, called In Search of Harry Potter, which will be published in July. I’m starting on another one as well. I intend this series of books to comprise a complete independent reference library to Harry Potter. The second and third books will not generate the kind of legal concern that the Lexicon book has, thankfully.
Do you consider that your fanatism or admiration to J.K. Rowling is less now after all that have happened?
My admiration for the Harry Potter books is as great as ever. I’m still a huge fan. I’m also still a fan of Rowling, although I think her current actions are unfortunate and badly advised. I still admire her as a writer and a person and I don’t expect that to change just because she and I have a disagreement over a legal issue. Friends can disagree and still be friends.”
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And finally, we have a very important and related announcement regarding the status of the Floo Network.
The following is an announcement that contains commentary.
The interview quoted above contains a number of assessments about J.K. Rowling’s intentions and what the Lexicon case means for fandom as a whole. The comments sat uneasily with many of us as soon as we learned about them, and prompted a discussion among our entire staff about Leaky’s association with the Harry Potter Lexicon, in which it became overwhelmingly clear that Steve’s thoughts on this matter and ours differ so greatly as to be polar opposites; we do not think a win for J.K. Rowling means tighter controls on fan creativity at all, and are concerned for the opposite, as well as the attempt to misportray the issues of the case as stated in sworn affadavits. So, after a few days of careful and many-sided discussion, we, as a full staff, decided that people who have such a fundamental disconnect in beliefs cannot and should not be partners in name or spirit, and two days ago informed the Lexicon that we are severing our association.
There were many who called for this since the day the lawsuit was filed, and on many occasions since, but we decided to wait to make the final decision until we were able to shake out more about the case and the beliefs of the parties involved. Now that it has been made clear to us that the Lexicon’s leader and we disconnect on such a fundamental level regarding fandom, it would be disingenuous to continue calling ourselves partners.
We had intended not to make this decision until the case was completed, so as to not sway public opinion. The comments in question, however, combined with the suit’s history and revelations therein, make us too uneasy to continue affiliation for a moment longer. We had also wanted to refrain from offering commentary on the case, but we all agree that if it meant the continued propagation of comments against our beliefs by someone so visibly associated with us, silence could not be maintained.
That it was a fully supported decision doesn’t mean it wasn’t very hard for this staff, who have for so long considered the Lexicon an ally in all things. The staff was sobered and saddened to find itself walking so uniformly toward this decision, even knowing it was the right one. We have enjoyed an excellent five years as a member of the Floo Network, and don’t regret that time for a moment. We wish everyone associated with the Lexicon health and happiness in the future.
We plan to retain strong affiliations with Accio Quote, though how it would manifest depends on some future decisionmaking, as things are slightly upended right now. This decision in no way affects the regard and admiration we continue to have for Lisa Bunker and her staff, or for Belinda Hobbs and the work she has done on the main Floo page; we hope to remain closely associated with them and their sites. In addition we strenuously discourage anyone from taking frustration for this decision out on any associated staff members, of the Lexicon or any other site. This was not a decision based on hate and hurt, it was rooted in the sad realization that we are much too different now to remain partners.
As for what this means, more functionally: This essentially means the Floo Network has been dismantled, as the network would be, then, Leaky projects and Accio Quote, and that’s more a partnership than a network. (We will sort out what to do with the main Floo page, and its content, as well.) There have been many asking, since November, whether Steve would return to PotterCast: That answer is now no. And while Leaky has always owned the hp-lexicon.org domain and paid for the site’s hosting, we’ve promised to transfer the domain to Steve as soon as litigation is complete (a stipulation that would not have been made had ownership not been mentioned in court documents). We will continue to pay for hosting and provide free support until that day.
This has been very emotional and trying for the staff here so we hope you’ll forgive our little foray into the commentary area. Since people are by nature opinionated, and we are all human, we wanted to keep the personal opinions we all have separate from the pages here, which is why after the first few weeks of figuring out what was going on with this case, we began to stick to linking to and summarizing court documents and other publicly available pieces, and trying to ask further questions to clear up misconceptions when they occurred. The rationale there is that if it’s publicly available there’s an easy check on its accuracy, and goodness knows our users are nothing if not close readers. We have been mentioned time and again in these proceedings, which makes us involved to a certain, small extent; therefore the coverage will continue to be simple linking-to and explaining-in-layman’s-terms legal documents, so you can easily read them yourself if there’s ever any doubt what we say is true. That said, we don’t expect any significant public documents until reports start surfacing of the April 14 trial; there might be a few article updates and more interviews, but mostly we are waiting for the courtroom proceedings to occur. As usual, we’ll keep you updated to the best of our ability.
Thank you for understanding, and as always, we thank you in advance for your civility and respect to each other in the comments.
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Haven’t read the entire thing yet, and I’m sure this was addressed. But I think Steve is so horribly wrong in saying that all HP fansites and wizard rock and everything would be on the line. Jo doesn’t want to stop any of that stuff ( I assume), anyone back to the article for me.
Yeah, he is completely wrong.
“we do not think a win for J.K. Rowling means tighter controls on fan creativity at all, and are concerned for the opposite, as well as the attempt to misportray the issues of the case”
And, now I’m also very sad Leaky had to severe it’s ties (as old Perce would say) with the Lexicon. Especially that he won’t be on PotterCast anymore, I always liked him on CC. But, like Leaky, it would be sort of hard for me to just ignore what he was saying about the case. And I 100% agree with their decision, sad pandas to all.
Definitely the right choice. I’m sort of surprised this didn’t happen sooner.
Couldn’t be prouder of you, Leaky Staff. You guys have been great representatives of the fandom. I think you guys made a very fair and well-informed decision. Well done!
tis a sad day but i foresaw this day comming ( and no im not related to Sybil Trelawney ) I agree with this decsion 100% and i do not think HP fan sites and such would effected by the outcomeof this case outside the possibility of the lexicon, but it is possible that other authors would not be so generous and force websites and etc to shut down idf the do not pay some type of licensing fee
This is very sad, but necessary for Leaky. As always, I applaud you, Melissa for trying to stay neutral until this point and do not blame you or your staff for making the decision you did. Breaking up a friendship is very hard, but in order for a person/web site/fan site, etc to remain healthy, they must break away from what is considered an unhealthy relationship. I’ve had too much experience in this, but don’t regret it because I’m a much healthier person for it (mental and physical).
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone on Leaky. hugs
I am really impressed with the way Leaky and all those at Leaky have handled this situation. You have been professional and generous, and that is inspiring. Everyone at Leaky does a wonderful job, and everything you do makes this a Potter site to truly be proud of.
A throughly contemplated decission based on principal and high standards reminicent of Harry and friends. That, however, does not make it any less of a painful decision. Kudos for you all. I also agree and trust Ms. Rowling’s statements she is not against sites and fans, just those profitering off of her extensive and exhaustive work.
I again ask that if things should not go as we hope and steve’s book is published there is a complete boycot of the book. If they do not yeild to common sense and courtesy, then absent sales will let them hear our displeasure loudly.
Well, this is rather sad. Not entirely unexpected, but sad. Wish I could say that I didn’t see something like this coming, but, oh well. What’s been up with Steve lately anyway? He seems a bit…off. I always thought he was a really nice guy, but saying that Jo would try to “ZOMGAbolish All FanworksWTF!!1!”? Not on, Steve. Not on. D:
It really is a sad day, but it was inevitable. I’ve kept my opinion for myself since the beginning of the case, in order to have arguments from both sides to consider and I agree with TLC (and therefore with Jo). Can’t you see it Steve ? You completly misunderstand the nature of the relationship linking Jo with us. It’s all about trust, confidence, mutual respect and above all, Love. And now you’ve been (temporarily or not, that is for Jo to decide) cast out of it. You’ve been badly advised, you should at the very least recognize that, if only for the devastating effects your behaviour and your position has generated. I really do hope that RDR will lose the case, or it will be a new era for authors and their fans, an era of defiance and mistrust, an era I don’t want to know of.
PS : sorry for the mistakes, french guy speaking here… ^^
It is clear that an awful lot of thought and care went into this difficult decision. I applaud you all for the professional, caring way you have handled the entire drama, and for being able to put aside personal feelings and emotions to stay so neutral and fair. It’s sad that it had to come to this, but definitely the right decision based on everything that has happened.
You’ve made the right decision. I must say I really don’t understand what the Lexicon has been doing from the start and I also disagree with their comments. I don’t think any website will be affected : there’s a huge difference between writing online and publishing to make profit. It’s impossible for them to win. It’s obivous the Lexicon book is an organized copying and pasting of what’s in the books ( their character pages especially ), I don’t see how it can possibly compare to fanfiction, Wizard Rock or anything else for that matter. I really love the Lexicon as a website and I’ll continue loving it after the trial although I so strongly disagree with Steve on the publishing issues.
Firstly, I applaud the entire Leaky staff. This was a really brave thing you guys did, some people/places would shy away from making such a stand as this. You guys are truly my heroes in standing up for what you believe in. That being said; if our Fandom and whatever meager rights we have or don’t have as Fans who write fan fiction, create Wizard Rock, build Websites, create Fan Art etc, is in jeopardy, it is because of his lack of forethought in regards to compiling a piece of work in order to earn a profit from it. Steve should have left it at a website – where millions of people could have had access to it at a moment’s notice.
Greed is a terrible, terrible thing.
This is the right decision for Leaky. While it was probably very difficult for you all to come to this point, it’s not entirely unexpected, and it preserves your integrity as a fansite. I applaud all of you in the staff for taking this hard, but needed step. Hopefully people will understand why you had to do this.
It’s sad that it has come to this, but let’s remember that Steve Vander Ark brought this on the fandom, and on the Lexicon all by himself. It was his choice to publish his site in book form, and to bring all of these legal proceedings on in his and RDR’s actions towards JKR and WB.
I’m sorry to see the Floo Network gone, but if it preserves Leaky and all of the good you guys do for the fandom, I’m all for it.
It is a sad day, for all of Leaky and the fandom in a sense, but I’m proud of you guys Leaky Staffers. This was the right thing to do, and I’m happy that at least majority of the fandom is together in this.
As for Steve’s comments, well, Steve, it’s not us who’re missing the point, but you who don’t even seem to be trying to get it. If RDR wins this case, then no other author will ever trust any fansite at all, and they’ll all work harder to protect their rights. And if Jo herself imposes any restrictions after such a scenario, then I can completely understand it.
Hope everything turns out fine and this trial goes through properly enough. Thanks a ton once again Melissa for everything. Your trial summaries were just what a layman like me needed to understand this whole thing and you’ve done a fabulous job sorting through it all to bring it to us in simple language.
It’s sad that it has had to come to this, but it was a necessary move and I applaud Melissa and the entire Leaky staff for making it. Steve has separated himself, in my opinion, from the vast majority of the fandom – and it’s time to make it clear we don’t agree with him. A win for Jo is a win for the fandom – let’s hope for the best.
My thoughts are with the Leaky staff right now. As the Harry Potter books (and ultimately, JKR herself) have taught us, sometimes the easy path is not the right path. As Neville Longbottom stood up to his friends, so have you…. and it is difficult. I’ve had to do so professionally and personally, and I know this was painful for so many at Leaky (I’m 36 years old, have had 3 careers… of course I know!)
For Steven to make statements that he is essentially doing this for the fans is ultimately reprehensible. My goodness, Jo Rowling has been exemplary in how she has encouraged fans online, especially in the Leaky Cauldron, and others. My goodness, I cannot think of another author who has made sure that the online fan representatives such as Melissa on Leaky Cauldron and Emerson on Mugglenet have a seat, front row and center, at many Harry events. I’m a 36 year old avid reader, holder of many obsessions such as HP, Star Trek, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc., and internet surfer – and I cannot think of an author or creator who has promoted his or her own fans like Jo. See… I feel so close to her that I feel that it is okay to call her by her first name!
Shame on Steven, and BRAVO Leaky Cauldron.com. I’m proud of you, and I”m sure that J.K. Rowling is touched by this.
That was undoubtedly a rough decision to make, yet it feels like the right thing to do. I support you all the way, Melissa and your whole team.
Sorry, comments are closed for this article.
Leaky Poll
Since DH was published, your interest in Potter fandom has:
- Increased! I'm more involved now than I ever was!904 (22%)
- It's stayed at the same level of fun it always has!1488 (37%)
- Decreased slightly: I only check sites a few times a week now.1022 (25%)
- Severely lowered. Without new canon, I'm bored.407 (10%)
- It's gone. In fact, I can't even answer this poll because I'm not really visting a Potter site.130 (3%)
It’s sad, but definitely the right choice…. :(