Harry Potter News Archive

A US federal court ruled in favour of author JK Rowling on 17th September 2002, and rejected plagiarism claims by rival author, Nancy Stouffer.  Stouffer's main complaint against J.K. Rowling concerned ownership of trademark and copyright of the word "Muggles".  She claimed that her Muggles, mythical characters featured in her book "The Legend of Rah and the Muggles," came first.  District Judge Allen G. Schwartz found only minimal similarities between the Potter series and books by Nancy Stouffer, and said there was convincing evidence that Stouffer had submitted fraudulent documents to the court and given "untruthful testimony".  Stouffer was fined $50,000 for "this pattern of intentional bad faith conduct.''  JK Rowling said after the court ruling "I'm so relieved. This court case has dragged on for a few years.  I'm a really happy woman today."  When asked if the case had hindered progress on book 5, she said to BBC Newsround that the court case had been playing on her mind and that "There have been times when I've been writing and that's been uppermost in my mind, whereas what should have been uppermost in my mind is what's going on with Harry and Co."  When asked if a definite date could be given for publication for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , she replied "I'd rather not say just in case I have a bus accident and things get knocked off track! It won't be too long,"..."There's a lot of the book done. That's all I want to say, because if I give it a date and then I pass it everyone will be upset,".  She stated that she is "a perfectionist and I want a bit more of a tweak."

The trailer for the forthcoming Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie was released to cinema audiences on 21 June 2002 in the UK, and a week earlier in the USA.  The 30 second trailer shows clips from selected scenes, including Harry's first meeting with Dobby the House Elf, and Harry and Ron on their way to Hogwarts in Ron's dad's flying Ford Anglia.  Also in the trailer is part of the scene where Hermione, Ron and Harry drink the shape-changing polyjuice potion, and a duel between Harry and Draco Malfoy in the Great Hall.

Publishers have announced that book 5, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is expected to be released in early autumn 2002.  No definite release date will be announced until author J.K. Rowling has finished writing the book. (information correct as at 23 March 2002)

The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie will be released in the cinema on 15th November 2002.  English actor, Kenneth Branagh will be playing fame-struck Gilderoy Lockhart who replaces Professor Quirrel as teacher of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Orders of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone DVD and Video are now being accepted from the UK and other PAL compatible countries!  Orders of the Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone DVD and Video are also being accepted from the USA and Canada too in the NTSC standard format.  Fans will be excited to learn that the video and DVD versions are effectively a "Directors Cut" and will include scenes which were edited out of the movie-screen version.

Congratulations to JK Rowling on her marriage to Doctor Neil Murray on Boxing day, 26th December 2001.  The 35 year old Harry Potter author tied the knot at a private ceremony at her new home in Perthshire, Scotland which she bought in October.  Attended by 15 close friends and family, the wedding was kept a closely guarded secret for reasons of privacy.  The bride wore a cream outfit, especially designed for her.  Her eight-year-old daughter Jessica by her first husband was one of three bridesmaids.  The others were Ms Rowling's sister Dianne, 33, and anaesthetist Dr Murray's sister Lorna.  It is reported that caterers who were hired from 50 miles away in Edinburgh, and guests were sworn to secrecy before the happy couple got married.  The minister who conducted the 20-minute ceremony, is also reported to have been brought in from outside the area.  The couple first met just over a year ago in Edinburgh.  Publicist, Nicky Stonehill said in a short statement "JK Rowling and Neil Murray were married on December 26 at their house in Perthshire. Their immediate family attended the wedding".

The movie, "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone" has been released on 16th November and is an absolute cracker!  The main actors are perfectly cast - no wonder author J.K. Rowling was so pleased with the outcome.  Sticking faithfully to the plot of the first book, the movie brings J.K. Rowling's words to life with stunning effects and brilliant acting and directing.  The movie has already broken the record of the highest grossing weekend in US box office history with an estimated $93.5 million in ticket sales.  It is being released in 130 countries in 40 languages.  The second movie, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", is aready in the process of being filmed.  Tom Felton, the 14 year old actor who plays Harry's school enemy, Draco Malfoy, has said that there will be even more action and comedy in the next movie.  He has revealed that one scene shows Draco falling off his broom.

The premier of the first movie, "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone" has been shown to an enthusiastic response in London on 4th November 2001.  Author, J.K. Rowling, has expressed her approval for the way the movie has been created.  Having envisioned the characters as English, she has said that she is pleased that the main members of the cast including Harry, Hermoine and Ron are from England. The film is out on general cinema release in the UK and USA on November 16th, and will be in other countries shortly after.