I just received the following statement by a spokesperson for J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment:
“A fan’s affectionate enthusiasm should not obscure acts of plagiarism. The publishers knew what they were doing. The problem remains that the Lexicon takes an enormous amount of Ms. Rowling’s work and adds virtually no original commentary of its own. As we’ve said in court, it takes too much and adds too little. Authors have a duty to prevent the exploitation of their works by people who contribute nothing original, creative or interpretive.”
Today marks day two of the trial over copyright and free use issues regarding RDR’s publication of the Harry Potter Lexicon.
As Rowling pointed out yesterday, in an entry by entry examination comparing The Lexicon to similar titles she did not have issue with such as The Sorcerer’s Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter, The Lexicon did not offer as much or any additional information to some entries.
Adding insult to injury, she even offered an endorsement to the Sorcerer’s Companion, saying “I really like this book,” and mentioned that they were welcome to blurb her on that.
Some editors pound the pavement for years trying to get an endorsement from Rowling, and here she is, offering them up unbidden in court.