Copyright Lawsuit Against J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Dismissed by Judge

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Copyright Lawsuit Against J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Dismissed by Judge

Posted by: Edward

January 06, 2011, 10:10 PM

A lawsuit against Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling and the book's UK publisher, Bloomsbury, by the estate of the late Adrian Jacobs has been dismissed by the judge, a statement from US Potter publisher Scholastic reveals. The statement reads:

Scholastic is extremely pleased that Judge Scheindlin decided to dismiss, at the earliest stage possible, the lawsuit brought against Scholastic by the estate of Adrian Jacobs. The Court's swift dismissal supports our position that the case was completely without merit and that comparing Willy the Wizard to the Harry Potter series was absurd. Judge Scheindlin clearly agreed, stating: “…the contrast between the total concept and feel of the works is so stark that any serious comparison of the two strains credulity.” Scholastic will continue to vigorously defend any such frivolous claims challenging the originality of Harry Potter and the brilliant imagination of its author, J.K. Rowling.

This ruling follows a request for dismissal petitioned by Bloomsbury last July. Previously, the estate of Mr. Jacobs charged the publisher and Ms. Rowling with copyright infringement of a 1987 work The Adventures of Willy the Wizard-No 1 Livid Land.

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54 Comments

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113 Points

yay! such a nutty claim…

Posted by nimbus2010 on January 08, 2011, 05:07 PM report to moderator

134 Points

Excellent! It was a stupid charge.

Posted by Books_and_Cleverness on January 08, 2011, 08:35 PM report to moderator

3134 Points

I find this story rather sad … I’m so glad that Jo was vindicated, but it’s unfortunate to think that Mr. Jacobs’ estate believed there was a copyright infringement in the first place.

Posted by NotSlytherin {ฬ๒๓}●[OoM2,GS] «uǝʇsıɹʞ» on January 09, 2011, 07:21 AM report to moderator

2984 Points

Sorry to be a party pooper but I don’t think this is the end of this story. I am happy that the U.s. case appears to have been dismissed, but think the Uk one is still on going, at least according to this post on the Willy website dated 7/1/11.
http://www.willythewizard.com/story024.html

any chance of any one in the know clarifying this please.

Posted by tgfoy (ROAR) on January 09, 2011, 01:35 PM report to moderator

tgfoy: According to http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/copycat-case-against-rowling-thrown-out-by-new-york-judge-1.1078664 quoting Jo’s UK lawyer, there is a hearing in mid-March for the UK case to decide what conditions to impose on Paul Allen for the case to continue (Jo’s side requested some surety be lodged with the court to cover costs if Allen’s side with an “improbable” chance of success lose).

Posted by roonwit on January 09, 2011, 02:27 PM report to moderator

2984 Points

Many thanks Roonwit

Posted by tgfoy (ROAR) on January 10, 2011, 05:35 AM report to moderator

254 Points

thank god. that lawsuit was so ridiculous. more than one author has used magic schools, it’s not a completely unique idea.

Posted by andarocketship on January 10, 2011, 05:32 PM report to moderator