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7th September 2008

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Rowling lexicographer sobs in court

16.04.08

The librarian at the heart of the Harry Potter copyright-infringement lawsuit stood up to J K Rowling on Tuesday in a Manhattan courtroom, and then broke down sobbing, reports the New York Times.

On the witness stand in Federal District Court, the librarian, Steven Jan Vander Ark, portrayed the famous writer as his idol, his true literary love. Vander Ark said that he and his website staff members, including a teacher of Greek and Latin and two other librarians, had compiled the alphabetical lexicon as a "ready reference" for Potter fans, because the books had no index or glossary.

Rowling reacted to Vander Ark's testimony Tuesday through an e-mail message from a spokeswoman, saying, "A fan's affectionate enthusiasm should not obscure acts of plagiarism."

Rowling, who herself came close to tears on Monday while testifying about the Harry Potter books, and Warner Brothers Entertainment, the company that produces the Potter movies, have sued RDR, to stop publication of an encyclopedia of the Potter books by Vander Ark. 

NY Times

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