Harry Potter Author Goes to Court

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.