India court rejects Harry Potter author's claim

NEW DELHI (AFP) - An Indian court on Friday threw out a claim by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling for damages from the organisers of a religious event who constructed a replica of her fictional Hogwarts Castle.

The Delhi High Court, however, ordered the organisers of the Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata not to use any characters from Rowling's books after the annual event without her permission.

Rowling and publishers Bloomsbury had sought two million rupees (50,000 dollars) from organisers who constructed an elaborate castle from canvas, papier mache and bamboo in the eastern metropolis for the four-day carnival beginning October 16.

Judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul said the permission to exhibit the castle would expire on October 26 -- or after Durga Puja, the biggest Hindu religious event in eastern India.

"Any further use of these characters will be subject to the prior permission of the author of the Harry Potter series," Kaul said, rejecting Rowling's demand for compensation for copyright infringement.

The suit, which ran into 394 pages, argued the festival organisers would exploit the castle replica to earn money through advertising.

Rowling's fictitious world depicts the castle as an ancient school of witchcraft where her eponymous hero Harry Potter learns wizardry.

The marquee in Kolkata's Salt Lake district replicates the castle contours and includes an imitation marble staircase and flagged stone floor in the entrance hall, lit with flaming torches.

Source - http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071012/ennew_afp/entertainmentindialiteraturepottercourtreligion

More likely than not, most people won't even realize that the castle has anything to do with Harry Potter....

I just heard about this today. I'm glad she lost.
Its not like she hasnt made enough money off her books. Its ridiculous for sue for something as petty as that. Its not like the celebration is about making money either.

Why dont she try suing Durga instead!

i think an important distinction should be made between the author and the author's publishers. the latter is the party that is suing, and it is also the latter who reaps most of the monetary rewards from the former's book.

That structure has harry potter characterss in it complete with special effects, it is built on the theme of harry potter. And don't underestimate people they know what harry potter is all about especially children.

Lol, she wanted 50,000? The probably just thought it would be fun to mess with them.

That's a bit extreme.......what does Harry Potter have to do with Durga Puja anyway?

ur like the desi daniel radcliffe.

*p.s. ... please stop dating white girls*

I suppose that you are not aware how Durga puja is celebrated. Bengali people get completely berserk during Durga puja festivities, for the whole 10 long days people go from one pandal to another to see the decorations and perform pujas. People on the average set up more than ten thousand pandals or marquees, creative decorations each year to attract visitors to their pandals. Every pandal has some theme, most of the themes have nothing to do with religion it is simply to give their creations a new look and draw the attention of the devotees. Some years ago there was a Titanic pandal as well. Looking at the Hogward's pandal I would say they have done a very good job.

LOL...... I don't date white girls.......

Date more white girls! Its against teh law if you dont!

Flickr pictures from event!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianandnisha/1...57601923234456/