Rowling in Court Over 'Harry Potter' Encyclopedia

Rowling claims that the print version of the encyclopedia, being written by the website's founder, Steven Vander Ark, and three other writers, would profit by simply repackaging her work. Rowling has openly praised the free Lexicon fan site, even commenting in interviews that she has relied on its catalog of characters, spells, magic potions, locations, and events while writing. Her objection came when RDR said it would make money off of her work. Rowling also claims that she is planning on publishing her own encyclopedia, with proceeds donated to charity, and that the RDR book would deter fans from buying it. RDR argues that Vander Ark’s book follows a long tradition of literary companion guides, saying it ''provides a significant amount of original analysis and commentary concerning everything from insights into the personality of key characters, relationships among them, the meaning of various historical and literary allusions, as well as internal inconsistencies and mistakes in the novels.'' (New York Times)