I'd like to defend the article as a fan. There have been a lot of authors and lawyers discussing the issue, but not many people who seem to feel deeply on this from any other angle than legality. I may just be naive but the Harry Potter Universe is very near and dear to my heart. I love all of the forms that it comes in, and I try to make it a point to visit my favorite fansites (the Lexicon and its affiliates included) each and every day with hopes of updates.

What I cannot understand is Jo's statement that a published Lexicon would keep her from publishing her own. (If she does indeed publish and if she makes it available to the masses instead of the select few able to bid on the Beetle Bard at Sotheby's.) Who in their right mind would choose a fan-based work over something straight from the author's mouth?!? There is no way that it would diminish the profits she'd receive!

As a greedy little fan, my palms got sweaty when I read the Lexicon post that they were being published and I was incredibly disappointed when I saw that the revered J.K. Rowling was suing them for it. In my mind, she held a place elevated above other writers for her indulgence of the fandom. The fact that she has allowed fanart and fanfiction sites to remain online had given me hope. Also, I'm confused as to how this is different than the dozens of published "unauthorized" guides on Harry Potter. If I were her, I would be more offended by the books that were on shelves before July predicting the outcome of her final book than a compellation of things already published.

I know that I'm not looking at it from a legal standpoint - which was the point of the article - but I'm just a disappointed fangirl.

Also speaking as a fan - the worst thing that could happen for online fandom is for RDR Books to win this lawsuit. Part of their argument is that since JK Rowling knew about the HP Lexicon website and allowed it to continue, she has no right to stop it from being published for profit. If RDR Books wins using that argument, online fandom as we know it will cease to exist. Fanfic and fanart are only tolerated by copyright holders because they aren't threatening (and they advertise the source material). But if ignoring online material gives fans the right to sell that material... The ensuing crackdown won't be pretty.

Rowling has been taken the wrong kind of medication for a long time now. I really wish she'd leave the Potter world alone before she breaks it apart from the inside out.

First her crazy comment about Dumbledore's sexuality (which bears no point to the overall story, nor does the story in any way support her claim), then the whole law suit against some people in India (unsure on country) for building a Hogswart replica, and now she attempts to destroy fan fiction, and the fan's right to review her material.

Rowling, I use to want to meet you, but in such a short time, you've made me glad that I've never met you. Richest woman in England and you feel the need to sue a FAN of your work. No respect left for you.

I said it before and I'll say it again: Write your own book and then see how you feel about other people copying your work. (And this IS copying the subject matter, not just discussing it). Until you've walked a mile in an author's shoes you have no right to judge.

thatguy181, you complain about JKR's revelation that Dumbledore is gay and about her India lawsuit. Firstly, I really don't see what all the fuss is about Dumbledore's sexuality. Someone asked her if Dumbledore had ever loved a woman--was she supposed to lie? Secondly, it wasn't JKR making the lawsuit against India, and it's not her making the lawsuit now. It's lawyers! Everyone's making JK Rowling look like some mean monster who wants to hoard the Harry Potter story to herself, but I quote from her website:

"I take no pleasure in the fact that publication has been prevented for the present. On the contrary, I feel massively disappointed that this matter had to come to court at all."

And by the way, she's not the richest woman in England. She lives in Scotland.

A quick defense to Ms. Rowling, thatguy181: She did not get on stage and announce that Dumbledore was gay randomly. It was the answer to a fair question that a fan had answered. If you think this was publicized too much, do not put the blame on her, lay it on our homophobic country and our sensationalizing media. Indeed, Ms. Rowling snapped at reporters a press conference when all they asked about was Dumbledore's orientation.

Additional defense: First, the India story is untrue. Charities were not setting up the event and building a Hogwarts replica, it was a commercial, corporate-sponsored event. WB sued on the basis of their HP trademarks. WB waived their right to ask for monetary damages, and so did Rowling. Second, fan fiction has nothing to do with this case. Rowling has always allowed it and still does today.

Thank you addydog and Annelise Wornat. I completely agree with you. Everyone is having a fit about Dumbledore being gay, and it drives me insane how much they blow it out of proportion.

I'm so glad that there are people out there who really get it, and can defend JK Rowling against the people who lap up all this stuff about JK Rowling's evilness. Well, at least they're not saying here that she invokes the devil.

And at least this topic isn't as controversial as global warming (I had no idea that so many bloggers denied it!). And don't even get me started on Laura Mallory...grr...

PS: I agree with Kelmendi and giddytears too.