Forbes reports that a Berlin court rejected an AOL Time Warner lawsuit to protect the Harry Potter brand and allowed a German publisher to sell files helping teachers use the bestseller in school.

It appears as though there is a fake Harry Potter book on the streets of Beijing, what’s worse is that it’s a success! Harry Potter And Leopard Walk Up To Dragon, on sale in Beijing street markets for about £1, is selling fast to the dismay of the publisher of the genuine Potter books in …read more!

Harry Potter books a place at Sothebys (from The Evening News): Harry Potter collectors’ items are set to fetch thousands of pounds at a London auction next week. Between £8000 and £10,000 is expected to be bid for a first-edition presentation copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone inscribed by the author, who wrote …read more!

Not sure if this has been reported elsewhere, but in related news: The first three books of Lemony Snicket’s fantasy series (which is very often compared to HP), A Series of Unfortunate Events, is being made into a movie by Nickelodeon, for release in late 2003.

According to the Sylvan Lane Shoppe, the second series of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans will be released either tomorrow or the 3rd. Note: Reader “Last First” informs us that the flavours may include Cherry, Green Apple, Lemon Drop, Bubblegum, Banana, Blueberry, Buttered Popcorn, Grape Jelly, Cinnamon, Watermelon, Toasted Marshmallow, and Tutti-Fruitti, along with Earwax, …read more!

From The Times Record; thanks to TWW for the link: Harry Potter will be behind closed doors next year, and at least one Cedarville [Arkansas] parent says that’s fine with her. Angie Haney, who has two children attending Cedarville schools, said earlier this week she is pleased the Cedarville School District has agreed to make …read more!

Check it out – I stuck all the CoS pictures currently available (or the links to them) onto one page. Have fun!

More on Harry Potter’s fifth anniversary, from The Scotsman. (Thanks to Maria for the link.) Bloomburg.co.uk reports that Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, the U.K. publisher of Harry Potter books, said it expects to meet its own full-year profit forecast as the release of a movie based on the character boosts sales in the second half. … …read more!

From CBBC Newsround: “Harry Potter is five today! The wannabe wizard first hit bookshelves five years ago, and ever since has taken the world by storm.”

Attn Harry Potter Fan Site folks: We’ve created a YahooGroups list for people who run HP-related Web sites to discuss technical issues such as hosting and to let each other know when sites are down…as well as letting each other know when we’ve gotten a scoop. If you want to join, please read this note …read more!