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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660 Points

This is EXCELLENT news!

Posted by Noble Birth Descending on January 06, 2011, 10:20 PM report to moderator

730 Points

Good to hear! I can’t believe this suit took so long to get settled…it was clearly ridiculous from the start.

Posted by RavenclawDancer on January 06, 2011, 10:39 PM report to moderator

71 Points

Oh, willy…

Posted by GottaGetBackToHogwarts[WBM] on January 06, 2011, 10:51 PM report to moderator

5503 Points

Great for Jo! She is a brilliant lady and anyone who denies it needs to get rid of the wrackspurts in their brain! It’s a relief that the judge dismissed it. It was a rather silly claim. Congrats Jo!

Posted by ksddancer... ROAR!!!!!!! on January 06, 2011, 11:13 PM report to moderator

1599 Points

oh, willy! why was this ever taken to court? anyway, congrats to jo; im sure she is happy that this is over!

Posted by Nealie Zealbie on January 06, 2011, 11:48 PM report to moderator

744 Points

Wizards are popular topic to use with children fantasy stories. It is not to my surprise that 2 stories happened to possess similar settings.

Posted by Gene *ROAR* on January 06, 2011, 11:52 PM report to moderator

350 Points

Epic WIN for the court system! I’m so glad Rowling doesn’t have to keep going to these court appearances, it sounds like they really upset her.

Posted by Bless_the_children on January 06, 2011, 11:58 PM report to moderator

840 Points

Congratulations Scholastic and Jo!!!

Posted by sessionka oom4 CW on January 07, 2011, 12:00 AM report to moderator

118 Points

Hah! The lawsuit was stupid to begin with~

Posted by shi suisen on January 07, 2011, 12:46 AM report to moderator

319 Points

Wait, is the lawsuit against Jo and Bloomsbury, or Jo and Scholastic? The article says two different things…

Posted by Professor Witchard on January 07, 2011, 01:10 AM report to moderator

1542 Points

Yeah! That Adrain Jacobs was only jealous and wanted to rob from Rowling. Justice. :)

Posted by Beatrice Jean Granger on January 07, 2011, 01:21 AM report to moderator

1542 Points

Hey guys! I’ve created a group to celebrate this dismiss of lawsuit!
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/myleaky/groups/9994
Please come and join!

Posted by Beatrice Jean Granger on January 07, 2011, 01:27 AM report to moderator

27 Points

Remember, people… it wasn’t Jacobs that was mounting the suit. He’s been gone for over 10 years now. It was mounted under the name of his ESTATE, by someone else.

Posted by BelariRodas on January 07, 2011, 01:37 AM report to moderator