Court Enjoins 'Lexicon' as Substantially Similar to, and not a Fair Use of, the Harry Potter Books

摘要

In Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. v. RDR Books [No. 07-9667 (S.D.N.Y. 09/08/2008)], Warner Bros. Entertainment and J.K. Rowling brought suit against RDR Books, alleging copyright infringement in connection with a Harry Potter Lexicon that RDR Books had sought to publish. J.K. Rowling is the copyright owner of the Harry Potter book series and two companion books, entitled Quidditch through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Warner Brothers is the licensee of the exclusive film rights to the entire series. In addition, Rowling had begun preparations to publish a Harry Potter Encyclopedia in the future and donate the profits to charity. Steven Vander Ark is the attributed author of the Lexicon. He is also the originator, owner, and operator of the Harry Potter Lexicon Web site, a popular Harry Potter fan site from which the content of the Lexicon was drawn.