Tim Wu in an article for The New Yorker looks at the events leading up to the trial, speaks to Steve Vander Ark, and compares J.K. Rowling to the mythical Athena:
“Once upon a time, a talented weaver named Arachne declared herself superior in skill to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who also invented weaving. Whether Arachne was actually better we’ll never know, for Athena, in a jealous rage, destroyed her rival’s tapestry and turned her into a spider. Last summer, at a “Harry Potter” convention in Toronto, a fan named Steve Vander Ark made a similar mistake when he dared to compare himself to Joanne (J. K.) Rowling.”
Wu describes what led Vander Ark to create the Lexicon website, and notes that Vander Ark has suffered “cruel fates” as a result of the lawsuit:
“In the late nineties, while working as a children’s librarian in Byron Center, Michigan (pop. 3,777), he discovered the “Potter” series. He began to take notes and, by his own estimate, has read each of the books forty or fifty times. “Something about these detailed imaginative worlds just captivated me,” he said during a court recess.
In 2000, Vander Ark, who considers himself a Ravenclaw, turned his obsessive notes into a Web site, The Harry Potter Lexicon. Soon, he was a celebrity in the “Potter” community. But when he decided to turn his Web site into a book Rowling sued his publisher, effectively exiling him from the wizard community.”
Wu also notes Leaky webmistress Melissa Anelli’s presence in the court room:
Anelli is writing her own “Potter” book, with Rowling’s blessing, and during a break in the trial Rowling sought her out and gave her a warm embrace, a moment that might have been as difficult for Vander Ark as any part of the legal proceedings.
“Melissa has done more to hurt me than Rowling,” Vander Ark said during a recess. “I can’t blame her for liking her status.” After all, he said, Rowling “is God and Melissa is her prophet.” He went on, “I am an outcast now. But I still consider myself a ‘Harry Potter’ fan.”
*
Editor’s Note: In the above-mentioned article, Mr. Wu attributed several statements made during a recent PotterCast (number 148) to Melissa Anelli (“He is vilified now”, “He has ruined his good standing.”). These remarks were instead made by Leaky Editor Sue Upton, who was commenting on the impact the decision to publish the book has made upon Vander Ark’s reputation.
“You have to be fair and remember that we all probably frequented his site in its hey-day. Don’t kick him while he’s down”
-This is true, I have been to the Lexicon site. But that was then. And those that are “kicking” the man, are not doing so because he is down, my thinking is they are “kicking” him because he did something sufficiently stupid. Well, more than a few things now.
“He put a lot of work into what he did.”
-This is also true, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V is very difficult indeed.
-Again, true. But I don’t think that God (that is to say God Himself, and not JKR) didn’t put a copyright stamp on the Earth. Unless He’s going to come back at the endtimes and Zap the map-makers by proving there is a small copyright stamp at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean or something.
"An atlas maker didn’t create the world, but he can still describe it and catalogue everything in it."
“but don’t turn Steve into a villain just because in this one thing he’s in a disagreement with your favorite author.”
- The fact that it is Jo he’s up against doesn’t help, but I am against him for the fact that he is breaking law(s) here.
Melissa is writing (has written) a book about the fans of Harry Potter, not a guide to the Harry Potter books. To compare the two without pointing out the distinction is just plain wrong.
But what I find more revolting is the willingness to stir the pot of anger and hurt feelings just to make the story spicier. It saddens me that we have become addicted as a society to this kind of yellow journalism. Honestly . . does knowing that Steve’s feelings are hurt (and by whom) offer any new insite into the situation? Methinks nay.
Wow… the arrogance is just staggering!!! Just because Melissa didnt spit in the face of the author, and actually got the OK that her work was NOT copyright infringement, and suddenly she’s on the receiving end of his drivel?
He’s all upset that he’s on the outs. Poor boy. Steve, you cant steel from Santa and expect the elves not to get pissed! And you know you stole from her!! You know it! You proved it when you made sure that your contract exempted you from the lawsuit if she sued (which you knew she would). if you were really worried about the fandom and your position in it, that clause in your contract would have stipulated that the book be stopped if she sued, not just your butt would be protected. What an a$$.
Thanks, Melissa, for not going about things the way Steve did: for doing things the right way.
Hmm, In my above post, one of the quotes somehow is now out of place. The “Atlas Maker” quote goes between “indeed” and “-Again..” in the 2nd paragraph.
Personally, I think that SVA is a little pathetic. And that is exactly why the press is, as a whole, taking his side. It’s easier to write the story and take the side of the former Trekkie, 50 year old, non-economically secure guy, and never mind that “the little guy” has attempted to break copyright law by printing a catalogue of Rowling quotes, which, though thorough, could have been accomplished with a simple cut and paste, and show no research. SVA knows his status and is using it for publicity by boo-hoo-ing that his Idol didn’t smile at him in the court where she was suing him. His blow at Melissa was not even well thought out, of course J.K. Rowling is going to be friendlier to the person who is testifying for her and is writing their book with her permission.
I don’t really find any of this that surprising. What is surprising is that the New Yorker did not block this article from being published in their Magazine. Overly-dramatized comparisons to completely irrelevant Greek myths (Rowling is suing him for the Encyclopedia, not the his claim in Toronto), shoddily researched facts, and a partisanship that completely disregards reason, One of the most excellent periodicals around appears to have lowered its standards.
Wow, I cannot even believe Steve has sunk this low! I’ve just been staring at the screen, trying to figure out how to best express my outrage, but I’m nearly speechless. Melissa, I’m sending lots of love and support your way – I know this whole situation has been extremely difficult for you, but I hope that knowing you’ve got the Leaky community behind you makes it just a little bit easier. ♥
I just thought that I might post up a few quotes from a wise old man to help point out the difference between how Steve handled things and how Melissa did, words that I know Steve knows…
“Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy…”
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
Well, I definitely would expect more than a fluff piece from The New Yorker. But, I’ve come to a conclusion: to most of the world it’s all fluff and entertainment. It’s like a celebrity mugshot or angry phone call. To treat it seriously ruins the fun and magazine sales and website clicks.
So, let’s ignore them. Let’s not give them the satisfaction of doing what they aimed to do: increase reads. Forget them. We know the facts and soon (hopefully) there will be a verdict.
As for SVA’s statements. Is anyone actually surprised?
Hmmm. I seem to remember the Leaky Cauldron turning on Steve first, so he has plenty of reason to be bitter. I also think the media has a clearer view on this issue than rabid JK/Leaky Cauldron fanboys and girls.
Turning On Steve first? newbis what are you talking about. TLC has tried to be nothing but neutral during this entire mess. Where do you see them “turning” on him? Just because they tried to stay Neutral and tell the truth isn’t turning on someone. It was Steve’s actions that have caused his rift with the Fandom, not TLC and most definitely not Melissa. This ‘old man’ is acting like a coward and baby and frankly has been acting like one since September.
Krisitn, and the entire Leaky Staff, thank you for keeping us so well informed. It is a shame this matter has gotten so personalized, and you have my sympathies!
Why doesn’t anyone at RDR or SVA himself seem to get the basic difference between paraphrasing and plagiarizing? Sorry, the materials we have seen go far beyond the Fair Use doctrines, it is flat out plagiarism…so why not just call it that and get this over? I flunk students that verbatim copy others, and send them to a dean to get chewed out a second time! They do it twice, then they are supposed to end up on academic probation… why is this even an issue?
Melissa, I await word that your work will be available soon!
Hey, newbis. When did Leaky turn on Steve? I don’t recall any betrayal of bias. Some Lexicon groupies were furious with Melissa because she didn’t buy Steve’s version hook, line and sinker without corroboration. Mmmmm. Isn’t that Journalism 101. It was Steve who kept his little book contract secret, who lied about the Lexicon’s expenses under oath and told Melissa he’d been lied to and misled by RDR at the same time that he was telling Dave Langford that he believed in the lawsuit and thought Jo was out of line. I think poor Steve has been kidnapped by Mean Girls.
“You have to be fair and remember that we all probably frequented his site in its hey-day. Don’t kick him while he’s down” -This is true, I have been to the Lexicon site. But that was then. And those that are “kicking” the man, are not doing so because he is down, my thinking is they are “kicking” him because he did something sufficiently stupid. Well, more than a few things now.
“He put a lot of work into what he did.” -This is also true, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V is very difficult indeed. -Again, true. But I don’t think that God (that is to say God Himself, and not JKR) didn’t put a copyright stamp on the Earth. Unless He’s going to come back at the endtimes and Zap the map-makers by proving there is a small copyright stamp at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean or something.
“but don’t turn Steve into a villain just because in this one thing he’s in a disagreement with your favorite author.” - The fact that it is Jo he’s up against doesn’t help, but I am against him for the fact that he is breaking law(s) here.