JK Rowling Says No To "Harry Potter Lexicon"

February 29, 2008 10:33 a.m. EST

New York (CNS) - JK Rowling has filed a legal action against Steve Vander Ark and publisher RDR Books for attempting to publish an unofficial reference book for Rowling's famous series "Harry Potter."

Entitled "Harry Potter Lexicon," it was intended to be a literary guide for all the Harry Potter fans which was based on the material from an Internet fan site with the same material.

Rowling said she intends to publish her own guide including materials that did not make it to her novels. She expressed her concern regarding the negative publicity for her efforts to protect the "Harry Potter" books.

"If RDR's position is accepted, it will undoubtedly have a significant, negative impact on the freedoms enjoyed by genuine fans on the Internet," says Rowling. "Authors everywhere will be forced to protect their creations much more rigorously, which could mean denying well-meaning fans permission to pursue legitimate creative activities."

On the other hand lawyer for RDR, Lizbeth Hasse said that Rowling is seeking a monopoly over the work which is not included in the copyright law. However, the publisher also agreed to delay the publication of the book in lieu of the injunction filed by Rowling in October. The "Harry Potter Lexicon" was due for publication November last year.