The Harry Potter Lexicon: Difference between revisions
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==Lexicon Closure== |
==Lexicon Closure== |
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It appears that the Harry Potter Lexicon site has now closed as the domain appears to be parked (30st Aug. 2008). It is unknown why it has closed. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 03:39, 1 September 2008
The Harry Potter Lexicon is a fan-created online encyclopedia of the Harry Potter series.
Overview
The Harry Potter Lexicon, also known as HPL, was created by 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.
Recently, Rowling has filed a lawsuit against RDR Books over the publication of Vander Ark's Lexicon in book form.[2] The lawsuit was heard in a New York court on 14 April 2008.[3] Whilst some sources refer to Vander Ark being sued, the lawsuit only actually names RDR books.[4][5]
The Lexicon also has its Spanish (El Diccionario de los Magos) and French (L'Encyclopédie Harry Potter) versions, with other languages in preparation.
The site has made approximately GBP£3000 in advertising revenue as of Oct 2007 [6], which is low compared to other commercial Harry Potter fansites such as MuggleNet, which has been generating six-figure yearly incomes.[7]
Site sections
The Lexicon has many different sections covering different subjects, including:
- Encyclopedia of Spells
- A Wizard's Atlas
- The Bestiary - Monstrous beasts of every kind
- Which Wizard - Who's who in the wizarding world
- Encyclopedia of Potions
- Visitor's Guide to Hogwarts
- Gazetteer of the Wizarding World
- Magic and Magical Theory
- Handbook of Quidditch - The Sport of Warlocks
- Magical Items and Devices
- Wizarding Through the Ages
- Detailed Reader's Guides
- Muggle Studies
Lawsuit
Extended article at RDR Books lawsuit section of Legal disputes over Harry Potter
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.
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.[8][9] 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." [10]
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 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.[11]
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.[12]
Lexicon Closure
References
- ^ J.K.Rowling Official Site
- ^ Rowling suing fan over new Potter book, CNN, 2008-04-14, retrieved 2008-04-15
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ JK Rowling sues to block fan site's Harry Potter book | OUT-LAW.COM
- ^ Askari, Emilia (2008-04-08), Harry Potter battle to decide comment control, Detroit Free Press, retrieved 2008-04-16
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Copy of Lawsuit" (PDF).
- ^ "" Facts about the Harry Potter Lexicon website"". Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Teigen, Megan. "Mugglenet founder chooses Notre Dame over Hogwarts"/ Notre Dame Magazine. October 2005.
- ^ Neumeister, Larry (February 29, 2008). "JK Rowling Bashes 'Harry Potter Lexicon'". Associated Press.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Harry Potter: the last battle". The Guardian. March 11, 2008.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Rowling, Warner Bros. sue over Potter book | Entertainment | People | Reuters
- ^ Stanford Fair Use Project
- ^ Rowling testifies in Potter case from BBC News
External links
- The Harry Potter Lexicon
- Case page on Justia.com