Calling all Jane Austen fans! The Leaky Lounge is proud to announce that Jo’s Book Nook, our non-Harry Potter book reading group, has now started on Jane Austen’s masterpiece: Pride and Prejudice. While we can’t promise an appearance by the dashing Colin Firth, we invite you to please please join us as we read and …read more!

Marina Hyde of the Guardian has an opinion piece in which she speaks unfavorably of J.K. Rowling and WB’s decision to pursue litigation, in part arguing that the potential publication of the Lexicon will have little impact on the series in the face of other, sanctioned projects: “As for Ms Rowling’s argument that her work …read more!

The Associated Press has a brief history of the trial, as well as the challenges of deciding when the claim of fair use has gone to far: “Lawrence Pulgram, an intellectual property lawyer who represented Napster in a copyright fight with the rock band Metallica, said deciding where to draw the line is rarely easy. …read more!

The 148th episode of PotterCast, our Harry Potter podcast, is online this evening with an extended discussion of the JKR/WB vs. RDR Books trial which took place in New York City this past week. First, we bring you a few Harry Potter news updates including Jim Broadbent’s comments on his character of Horace Slughorn in …read more!

In addition to the “My Boy Jack” reminder this weekend, UK television channel ITV1 is slated to air an episode of “Travels in Written Britain” featuring actress Emma Watson reading from a selected work. An update from Emma Watson’s official site notes her participation in this series which takes a look at writers that have …read more!

Blank

In this MSNBC opinion piece, author Helen A.S. Popkin, who appears to think that J.K. Rowling is in the wrong, advises the author to settle the case (as also suggested by the judge), explains how the Internet and the Creative Commons license have changed creative practice, and likens Steve Vander Ark to Harry Potter: “Then …read more!

As we have reported previously, My Boy Jack, starring actor Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) will be broadcast here in the US on PBS this Sunday night (check local listings for time). The film, which was originally broadcast in the UK last year, has met with positive critical review here in the States, including a mention …read more!

Today marks the birthday of actor David Tennant, who portrayed the character of Barty Crouch Jr. in the fourth Harry Potter film. Mr. Tennant celebrates his 37th birthday today. Happy Birthday, David! Cheers!

There is news today regarding a possible new role today for actress Emma Watson. The Hollywood Reporter has a new article online this morning saying the actress is due to appear in the movie “Napoleon and Betsy,” where Emma will play the part of “Betsy Balcombe, a young, impetuous noblewoman trapped on the isolated British …read more!