To recap real quick, JK Rowling is trying to block the publication of a Lexicon that Vander Ark and RDR Publishing want to print which indexes the information in Rowling’s 7 books without Rowling’s permission. They claim it’s for scholarly pursuits worth $29.95.
You can read most of the deatails yourself in here but in short it seems the judge hearing the case actually seems to suggest there is merit in something like Ark’s Lexicon if it were done “properly”. I still suggest that Rowling should simply be allowed a portion of the sales, because he pretty much IS taking her ideas and just re-writing them in a new format without her consent.
I doesn’t seem as if there is going to be a final verdict on this for weeks and the judge suggests that Rowling and Ark settle out of court as either side is just going to file appeal after appeal for years. If I were Ark, I’d just suggest throwing some money her way, keep doing all the work, and reap SOME rewards.
Eh, but what do I know – I’m not motivated by corporate greed.
…yet.
I’ve been following this story, from a distance, and I have to say it is with nail biting anticipation that I await the outcome possibly this week or next.
If you’re not familiar with it, read it. Heh-heh! But in short it’s regarding Steven Vander Ark who runs a Harry Potter based Website (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/) which had collected, categorized and indexed a great deal of information about the Harry Potter universe. “Potter-Wiki” would be another way of looking at this site.
But now Ark (via RDR Publishing) wants to publish a book based on the website, which is based off JK Rowling’s works. So I’m sure you can see where this is going.
Personally, I support Rowling in this. Granted the website was never the subject of an attack but let’s face it – the website is a hobby. www.BardsTavern.com is also a Hobby. I’ve never made a penny off my Buffy Inspired series “R.I.P.” but I still pay for my domain name and I pay for my hosting service. And like Ark, I too have started looking at way to offer merchandise related to the spirit of this Tavern mostly in hopes of off setting this cost. I doubt he, like I, entered into these project as anything more than labors of love and a way to support other fans.
But recently Ark was approached by publishers stating that they wanted to turn his website into a book, and as the aspiring writer he was, he refused when he felt it would be a copyright violation. Until Rowling released the 7th and final book… now it seems RDR Publishing and Ark are ready to go full steam ahead in publishing a book intent on making a profit.
In short they are seeking to make money off of the works of JK Rowling, and there in lies the problem I have with the whole process. I don’t think someone should be allowed to be the sole beneficiary of profits made from someone else’s unique imagination. Now in my world Rowling would get a cut of all the profits made from the sale of the book since they are just publishing re-writes of what SHE wrote.
I personally hope they don’t win this battle, mostly because I believe this kind of information SHOULD be free. On top of that if it does turn out that Ark is allowed to make the book because it’s an extension of his website then writers will have to start cracking down on internet sites and forums (which would make fan based Wiki’s targets galore). On top of that it probably wouldn’t take long for Ark to realize that people may not buy the book if the same information is on his website for free. So the next step would be to minimize the amount of information you can find on his site without some “premium” membership of some kind. Now, suddenly, the information that was free for any fan to enjoy and absorb is now ruled by the all mighty dollar (or pound).
Remember the Golden Rule: He who has the gold, gets to make the rules.
But mark my words; If Ark DOES win this thing, then I’m going to get started on a Mistborn Lexicon before the month is out. Either that or I’ll try writing something of my OWN imagination… it just depends on how lazy and unimaginative I am when they deliver that verdict.
I just HAD to add this features to my site. While I’m not one to normally allow someone to advertise thier products on my site I really do think people need to read “Mistborn”
A friend introduced me to this book and I have to say it really is unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
I’m not one to read many books (I know a Bard who doesn’t like books – well that may change). Brandon Sanderson, right now, is an inspiring author to me. The setting for “Mistborn” is fantasy with a scifi twist. And while I hate to give away too much I will say that magic in this story comes from special people (called “Mistings”) who are able to ingest a common metal and then “burn” it to use supernatural powers. Each metal corresponds to a different power and this book features a conning and thieving team, each with different and specialized powers with one very lofty goal in mind.
If you’ve ever read a “Shadowrun” book then you should certainly like “Mistborn” and if you’ve ever read a Fantasy or Sci-Fi novel you should certainly like “Mistborn”.
Yet the reason I am in awe of this book is NOT because of the creative magic and adventure, but it’s these characters. I find myself reading this story to see what is going to HAPPEN to them next. While most books play out in my mind like a mini-movie, because I’m a visual person, “Mistborn” takes that to a new level because the author introduces me to some truly fasinating people – and just like real people they annoy at times and disappoint me at others but share in thier falls and cheer when they rise again. Not since “Phantom
” by Susan Kay have I ever found myself having such a clear image in my mind of a character I’ve never seen before. Often I can cast an actor in the movie role of any book I read, but as with Susan Kay’s story Brandon Sanderson creates character so unique and yet so alive that I fail to think of anyone that could play that role.
Having studied screen writing I can see the huge potential this book has for a movie (I’d like to hope you read it here first) that rivals any of the more recent movie adaptations, like “Eragon” or “the Golden Compass”. My only fear now is on the day they DO make a “Mistborn” movie, (which I don’t doubt they will once the trilogy is complete) I will sadly be one of “those guys” in the movie theater complaining that the book was sooo much better and that Scarlett Johansson made a terrible Vin.
There is little expectation for anyone to be reading this right now, but maybe in the future?
The truth is I’m currently changing hosting providers… and for the time being I don’t expect anyone to be able to access the website, mostly because the old provider it going to take 4 days to allow the domain to be updated.
So right now I’m doing my best to make time move VERY quickly.
…damn… I guess this is just one power I don’t have.