Rowling to Testify in HP Lexicon Case
Via Ars Technica. J.K. Rowling is coming to the U.S. this week to testify against Steve Vander Ark in the Harry Potter Lexicon case. On an interesting note:
“lexicons for popular series are common and both Narnia and Middle-Earth have multiple such guides. Although the works have generally been considered a “transformative” use of an author’s work and world, Rowling is prepared to argue that the new lexicon does not, in fact, pass the fair use four-part test found in US copyright law.”
Three words: Culture of Ownership. This will majorly affect future fair-use cases, and not in good way. Being an aspiring writer myself, I think I have a general idea what JKR is thinking, but I have to say I’m on Mr. Vander Ark’s side here.
Looking at previous coverage of this lawsuit, I’ve noticed that the website keeps being dragged into this. The outcome will not just affect the Lexicon, but the entire internet. If this precedent is set, fair-use is three steps closer to disappearing altogether.
