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{{Short description|Online encyclopedia of the Harry Potter series}}
[[Image:steve-vander-ark-sectus-cropped-2007-07-19.jpg|thumb|Steve Vander Ark, creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, speaking at the Sectus conference in London in 2007]]
[[Image:steve-vander-ark-sectus-cropped-2007-07-19.jpg|thumb|Steve Vander Ark, creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, speaking at the Sectus conference in London in 2007]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:HarryPotterLexicon.jpg|right|thumb|The Harry Potter Lexicon's [[Masthead (publishing)|masthead]].]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:HarryPotterLexicon.jpg|right|thumb|The Harry Potter Lexicon's [[Masthead (publishing)|masthead]].]] -->
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==Overview==
==Overview==
⚫
The site was created by American school librarian Steve Vander Ark. It contains detailed information for all seven published ''Harry Potter'' books. The Lexicon lists [[List of characters in the Harry Potter books|characters]], [[List of places in the Harry Potter books|places]], [[Magical beasts (Harry Potter)|creatures]], spells, potions and [[Magical objects in Harry Potter|magical devices]], as well as analyzing [[Magic (Harry Potter)|magical]] theory and other details of the series. The Lexicon is credited as creating one of the first timelines of all events occurring in the ''Harry Potter'' universe. A similar timeline of events was adopted by [[Warner Bros.]] for inclusion with their ''Harry Potter'' [[film]] DVDs, and was accepted by author [[J. K. Rowling]] as conforming to her works.
The Harry Potter Lexicon, also known as ''HPL'', was created by school [[librarian]] '''Steve Vander Ark'''.


The Lexicon is a winner of J. K. Rowling's Fan Site Award. Rowling said:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/fansite_view.cfm?id=14|title=J.K.Rowling Official Site - Section: Fan Sites - The Harry Potter Lexicon|author=J. K. Rowling|author-link=J. K. Rowling|publisher=JKRowling.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316220934/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/fansite_view.cfm?id=14|archive-date=2006-03-16}}</ref>
⚫
It contains detailed information for all seven published ''Harry Potter'' books. The Lexicon lists [[List of characters in the Harry Potter books|characters]], [[List of places in the Harry Potter books|places]], [[Magical beasts (Harry Potter)|creatures]], [[Spells in Harry Potter|spells]], potions and [[Magical objects in Harry Potter|magical devices]], as well as analyzing [[Magic (Harry Potter)|magical]] theory and other details of the series.

The Lexicon is credited as creating one of the first timelines of all events occurring in the ''Harry Potter'' universe. A similar timeline of events was adopted by [[Warner Bros.]] for inclusion with their ''Harry Potter'' [[film]] DVDs, and was accepted by author [[J. K. Rowling]] as conforming to her works.

The Lexicon is a winner of J.K. Rowling's Fan Site Award. Rowling said:<ref>[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/fansite_view.cfm?id=14 J.K.Rowling Official Site<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
{{quotation|This is such a great site that I have been known to sneak into an [[internet café]] while out writing and check a fact rather than go into a bookshop and buy a copy of Harry Potter (which is embarrassing). A website for the dangerously obsessive; my natural home.}}
{{quotation|This is such a great site that I have been known to sneak into an [[internet café]] while out writing and check a fact rather than go into a bookshop and buy a copy of Harry Potter (which is embarrassing). A website for the dangerously obsessive; my natural home.}}


⚫
==Lawsuit==
In 2007 Rowling filed a lawsuit against RDR Books over the publication of Vander Ark's Lexicon in book form.<ref name=cnn>{{Cite document |last= |first= |title= Rowling suing fan over new Potter book |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/04/14/rowling.trial.ap/index.html |publisher=''[[CNN]]'' |date=2008-04-14 |accessdate=2008-04-15 |format= {{dead link|date=April 2009}} &ndash; <sup>[http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=intitle%3ARowling+suing+fan+over+new+Potter+book&as_publication=&as_ylo=&as_yhi=&btnG=Search Scholar search]</sup> |postscript= <!--None--> |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080415224902/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/04/14/rowling.trial.ap/index.html |archivedate = April 15, 2008}}</ref> The lawsuit was heard in a [[New York]] court on 14 April 2008.<ref>[http://www.out-law.com/page-8953 JK Rowling sues to block fan site's Harry Potter book | OUT-LAW.COM<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Whilst some sources refer to Vander Ark being sued, the lawsuit only actually names RDR books.<ref>{{Cite document |last=Askari |first=Emilia |title=Harry Potter battle to decide comment control |url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080408/NEWS05/804080374/1007/news |publisher=''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' |date=2008-04-08 |accessdate=2008-04-16 |format={{dead link|date=April 2009}} &ndash; <sup>[http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=author%3AAskari+intitle%3AHarry+Potter+battle+to+decide+comment+control&as_publication=&as_ylo=&as_yhi=&btnG=Search Scholar search]</sup> |postscript=<!--None-->}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out-law.com/PDF/Lawsuit_JKRowling_v_RDR.pdf|format=PDF|title=Copy of Lawsuit}}</ref> The result of the lawsuit was that the book could be published, but not in its present form. A modified version of the book was published in 2009.
{{main|Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. RDR Books{{!}}''Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. RDR Books''}}


On October 31, 2007, J.K. Rowling and [[Warner Brothers]] filed a lawsuit against RDR Books over the publication of Vander Ark's Lexicon in book form.<ref name=cnn>{{Cite journal |title= Rowling suing fan over new Potter book |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/04/14/rowling.trial.ap/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 14, 2008 |access-date=April 15, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080415224902/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/04/14/rowling.trial.ap/index.html |archive-date = April 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIGNIcztySvpGhm95iGPhNL7ov1AD8V406HO0 |title=JK Rowling Bashes 'Harry Potter Lexicon' |author=Neumeister, Larry |date=February 29, 2008 |publisher=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305000110/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIGNIcztySvpGhm95iGPhNL7ov1AD8V406HO0 |archive-date=March 5, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2264094,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront|title=Harry Potter: the last battle|date=March 11, 2008|work=[[The Guardian]] | location=London | first=John | last=Crace | access-date=May 25, 2010}}</ref> The lawsuit was heard in a [[New York (state)|New York]] court on April 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out-law.com/page-8953|title=JK Rowling sues to block fan site's Harry Potter book|publisher=Out-law.com|date=March 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out-law.com/PDF/Lawsuit_JKRowling_v_RDR.pdf|title=Copy of Complaint|date=October 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171322/https://www.out-law.com/PDF/Lawsuit_JKRowling_v_RDR.pdf|archive-date=2018-12-29}}</ref>
The Lexicon also has its Spanish (''El Diccionario de los Magos'') and French (''L'Encyclopédie Harry Potter'') versions.


⚫
The lawsuit states: {{quotation|The infringing book is particularly troubling as it is in direct contravention to Ms. Rowling's repeatedly stated intention to publish her own companion books to the series.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN3133972420071031 | title=Rowling, Warner Bros. sue over Potter book | date=October 31, 2007 | work=[[Reuters]]|first=Christine|last=Kearney}}</ref>}}
⚫
== Lawsuit ==
{{main|Warner Bros. and JK Rowling vs. RDR Books}}


The result of the lawsuit was that the book could be published, but not in its present form. A modified version of the book was published in 2009.
The book ''The Harry Potter Lexicon'' was due to be released November 28, 2007. This book's purpose is to serve as an encyclopedia counterpart to the Harry Potter series.
⚫
This case went to [[bench trial]] in the New York Federal District Court of Judge Robert Patterson on April 14, 2008. RDR Books’ defense team, which includes solo San Francisco practitioner, Lizbeth Hasse of the Creative Industry Law Group, solo New York practitioner David Hammer, and the [[Fair Use Project]] at [[Stanford University Law School]], has replied to the suit, arguing:
⚫
{{quotation|In support of her position Ms Rowling appears to claim a monopoly on the right to publish literary reference guides, and other non-academic research, relating to her own fiction. This is a right no court has ever recognized. It has little to recommend it. If accepted, it would dramatically extend the reach of copyright protection, and eliminate an entire genre of literary supplements: third party reference guides to fiction, which for centuries have helped readers better access, understand and enjoy literary works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/node/5679|title=RDR Files Opposition To Rowling's Preliminary Injunction Motion|publisher=[[Stanford Law School]]|last=Falzone|first=Anthony|date=February 10, 2008}}</ref>}}


⚫
Rowling stated that her efforts to halt the publishing of the Lexicon have been crushing her creativity, and said that she was not sure if she has "the will or the heart" to now publish her own encyclopedia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7346093.stm |title=Rowling testifies in Potter case|work=[[BBC News]]|date=April 14, 2008}}</ref>
On October 31, 2007, J.K. Rowling along with [[Warner Brothers]] filed a lawsuit against RDR Books seeking an injunction against the upcoming book to be released by Vander Ark and HP-Lexicon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIGNIcztySvpGhm95iGPhNL7ov1AD8V406HO0|title=JK Rowling Bashes 'Harry Potter Lexicon'|author=Neumeister, Larry|date=29 February 2008|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2264094,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront|title=
⚫
Harry Potter: the last battle|date=11 March 2008|publisher=The Guardian | location=London | first=John | last=Crace | accessdate=2010-05-25}}</ref> The lawsuit states, {{quotation|The infringing book is particularly troubling as it is in direct contravention to Ms. Rowling's repeatedly stated intention to publish her own companion books to the series.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN3133972420071031 | title=Rowling, Warner Bros. sue over Potter book | date=2007-10-31 | work=Reuters}}</ref>}}


⚫
On 8 September 2008, Rowling won her copyright case against RDR Books.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/JK-Rowling-Wins-Harry-Potter-Lexicon-Copyright-Case-Steven-Vander-Ark-Book-Halted-By-Judge/Article/200809215095424?lpos=World%2BNews_3&lid=ARTICLE_15095424_JK%2BRowling%2BWins%2BHarry%2BPotter%2BLexicon%2BCopyright%2BCase%253A%2BSteven%2BVander%2BArk%2BBook%2BHalted%2BBy%2BJudge |title=JK Rowling Wins Copyright Claim|publisher=Sky News|date=September 9, 2008}}</ref> Lexicon publisher RDR Books said:{{quotation|We are encouraged by the fact the court recognized that as a general matter authors do not have the right to stop the publication of reference guides and companion books about literary works. As for the Lexicon, we are obviously disappointed with the result, and RDR is considering all of its options.}}
⚫
This case went to [[bench trial]] in the New York Federal District Court of Judge Robert Patterson on April 14, 2008. RDR Books defense team, which includes solo San Francisco practitioner, Lizbeth Hasse of the Creative Industry Law Group, solo New York practitioner David Hammer, and the [[Fair Use Project]] at [[Stanford University Law School]], has replied to the suit arguing:
⚫
{{quotation|In support of her position Ms Rowling appears to claim a monopoly on the right to publish literary reference guides, and other non-academic research, relating to her own fiction. This is a right no court has ever recognized. It has little to recommend it. If accepted, it would dramatically extend the reach of copyright protection, and eliminate an entire genre of literary supplements: third party reference guides to fiction, which for centuries have helped readers better access, understand and enjoy literary works.<ref>[http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/node/5679 Stanford Fair Use Project]</ref>}}


⚫
==Publication==
⚫
Rowling stated that her efforts to halt the publishing of the Lexicon have been crushing her creativity, and said that she was not sure if she has "the will or the heart" to now publish her own encyclopedia.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7346093.stm Rowling testifies in Potter case] from [[BBC News]]</ref>
⚫
In December, 2008, a modified (and shorter) version of Vander Ark's Lexicon was approved for publication and was released January 16, 2009 as ''The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials|id={{ASIN|1571431748|country=ca}} }}</ref>


==See also==
⚫
On 8 September 2008, Rowling won her copyright case against RDR Books.<ref>[http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/JK-Rowling-Wins-Harry-Potter-Lexicon-Copyright-Case-Steven-Vander-Ark-Book-Halted-By-Judge/Article/200809215095424?lpos=World%2BNews_3&lid=ARTICLE_15095424_JK%2BRowling%2BWins%2BHarry%2BPotter%2BLexicon%2BCopyright%2BCase%253A%2BSteven%2BVander%2BArk%2BBook%2BHalted%2BBy%2BJudge JK Rowling Wins Copyright Claim] -- ''Sky News'', September 9, 2008</ref>


⚫
* [[Harry Potter fandom]]
Lexicon publisher RDR Books said:{{quotation|We are encouraged by the fact the court recognised that as a general matter authors do not have the right to stop the publication of reference guides and companion books about literary works.}}


⚫
==References==
Judge Patterson said that reference materials were generally useful to the public but that in this case, Vander Ark went too far. He said:{{quotation|While the Lexicon, in its current state, is not a fair use of the Harry Potter works, reference works that share the Lexicon's purpose of aiding readers of literature generally should be encouraged rather than stifled.}}
{{Reflist|2}}

He said he ruled in Ms Rowling's favour because the "Lexicon appropriates too much of Rowling's creative work for its purposes as a reference guide".

⚫
==Publication==
⚫
In December, 2008, a modified (and shorter) version of Vander Ark's Lexicon was approved for publication and was released January 16, 2009 as ''The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction''. Several other Lexicon staff members participated in the project: Lisa Waite Bunker and John Kearns were listed as Contributors, and Belinda Hobbs was listed as an Editor.<ref>[http://www.amazon.ca/Lexicon-Unauthorized-Fiction-Related-Materials/dp/1571431748 ''The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials''] on Amazon.ca</ref>

⚫
== References ==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
* [https://www.hp-lexicon.org/ The Harry Potter Lexicon]
{{Wikipedia-Books|Harry Potter}}
⚫
* [http://www.hp-lexicon.info/index.html The Harry Potter Lexicon]
* [http://news.justia.com/cases/featured/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv09667/315790/ Case page] on Justia.com
* [http://news.justia.com/cases/featured/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv09667/315790/ Case page] on Justia.com
* [http://store.rdrbooks.com/lexiconoffer/ ''The Lexicon'' product page at RDR Books]


[[Category:Harry Potter websites]]
{{Harry Potter}}
{{Authority control}}


[[da:The Harry Potter Lexicon]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harry Potter Lexicon, The}}
[[nl:Het Harry Potter Lexicon]]
[[Category:Harry Potter websites]]
[[Category:Encyclopedias of fictional worlds]]
⚫
[[pt:The Harry Potter Lexicon]]

Latest revision as of 16:44, 15 September 2024

Steve Vander Ark, creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, speaking at the Sectus conference in London in 2007

The Harry Potter Lexicon is a fan-created online encyclopedia of the Harry Potter series.

Overview

[edit]

The site was created by American school librarian Steve Vander Ark. It contains detailed information for all seven published Harry Potter books. The Lexicon lists characters, places, creatures, spells, potions and magical devices, as well as analyzing magical theory and other details of the series. The Lexicon is credited as creating one of the first timelines of all events occurring in the Harry Potter universe. A similar timeline of events was adopted by Warner Bros. for inclusion with their Harry Potter film DVDs, and was accepted by author J. K. Rowling as conforming to her works.

The Lexicon is a winner of J. K. Rowling's Fan Site Award. Rowling said:[1]

This is such a great site that I have been known to sneak into an internet café while out writing and check a fact rather than go into a bookshop and buy a copy of Harry Potter (which is embarrassing). A website for the dangerously obsessive; my natural home.

Lawsuit

[edit]
Main article: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. RDR Books

On October 31, 2007, J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers filed a lawsuit against RDR Books over the publication of Vander Ark's Lexicon in book form.[2][3][4] The lawsuit was heard in a New York court on April 14, 2008.[5][6]

The lawsuit states:

The infringing book is particularly troubling as it is in direct contravention to Ms. Rowling's repeatedly stated intention to publish her own companion books to the series.[7]

The result of the lawsuit was that the book could be published, but not in its present form. A modified version of the book was published in 2009. This case went to bench trial in the New York Federal District Court of Judge Robert Patterson on April 14, 2008. RDR Books’ defense team, which includes solo San Francisco practitioner, Lizbeth Hasse of the Creative Industry Law Group, solo New York practitioner David Hammer, and the Fair Use Project at Stanford University Law School, has replied to the suit, arguing:

In support of her position Ms Rowling appears to claim a monopoly on the right to publish literary reference guides, and other non-academic research, relating to her own fiction. This is a right no court has ever recognized. It has little to recommend it. If accepted, it would dramatically extend the reach of copyright protection, and eliminate an entire genre of literary supplements: third party reference guides to fiction, which for centuries have helped readers better access, understand and enjoy literary works.[8]

Rowling stated that her efforts to halt the publishing of the Lexicon have been crushing her creativity, and said that she was not sure if she has "the will or the heart" to now publish her own encyclopedia.[9]

On 8 September 2008, Rowling won her copyright case against RDR Books.[10] Lexicon publisher RDR Books said:

We are encouraged by the fact the court recognized that as a general matter authors do not have the right to stop the publication of reference guides and companion books about literary works. As for the Lexicon, we are obviously disappointed with the result, and RDR is considering all of its options.

Publication

[edit]

In December, 2008, a modified (and shorter) version of Vander Ark's Lexicon was approved for publication and was released January 16, 2009 as The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction.[11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ J. K. Rowling. "J.K.Rowling Official Site - Section: Fan Sites - The Harry Potter Lexicon". JKRowling.com. Archived from the original on 2006-03-16.
  2. ^ "Rowling suing fan over new Potter book". CNN. April 14, 2008. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Neumeister, Larry (February 29, 2008). "JK Rowling Bashes 'Harry Potter Lexicon'". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008.
  4. ^ Crace, John (March 11, 2008). "Harry Potter: the last battle". The Guardian. London. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  5. ^ "JK Rowling sues to block fan site's Harry Potter book". Out-law.com. March 18, 2008.
  6. ^ "Copy of Complaint" (PDF). October 31, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-12-29.
  7. ^ Kearney, Christine (October 31, 2007). "Rowling, Warner Bros. sue over Potter book". Reuters.
  8. ^ Falzone, Anthony (February 10, 2008). "RDR Files Opposition To Rowling's Preliminary Injunction Motion". Stanford Law School.
  9. ^ "Rowling testifies in Potter case". BBC News. April 14, 2008.
  10. ^ "JK Rowling Wins Copyright Claim". Sky News. September 9, 2008.
  11. ^ The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials. ASIN 1571431748.
[edit]
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