In Russia...

Russian author Dimitri Yemetz is defending his creation - Tanya Grotter and Her Magical Double Bass. It does, however, bear marked similarities to the Harry Potter books - Tanka flies, not on a broom but on her double bass, wears round glasses, and attends a school for young wozards and witches. Yemetz insists that his book is a "parody" of Potter, not a plagiarism, a "reply" to the novel based on Russian folktales and culture. Similarities in the cover design lead to further suspicions. The book is currently being examined to decide whether or not legal action wil be taken.

In China...

Harry Potter And Leopard Walk Up To Dragon - sound convincing? Well, it's selling like hotcakes in China! Fed up with the length of time since The Goblet of Fire, and anonymous Chinese author has released their own sequel as of July 2002. The plot, however, may be lacking something...

"Drenched by a mysterious rain, Potter is transformed into a fat, hairy dwarf and stripped of his magic powers as he battles the forces of evil in the shape of a dragon, reports The Times." (BBC Webpage)

Even more comical are the first lines: "Harry doesn't know how long it will take to wash the sticky cream cake off his face. For a civilised young man it is disgusting to have dirt on any part of his body. He lies in the high-quality china bathtub, keeps wiping his face, and thinks about Dali's face, which is as fat as the bottom of Aunt Penny."

In America....

LAWSUIT OVER! - As was announced on September 19th, 2002, Stouffer has lost her case and been fined $50000 for falsifying documents!

"I believe that Scholastic Inc., Arthur A. Levine and J. K. Rowling have committed trademark infringements and have competed unfairly, irreparably damaging my properties and goals." - Nancy Stouffer, author.

Nancy Stouffer is a little-known American author of books such as "The legend of Rah and the muggles", who is involved in a court case against J K Rowling. Miss Stouffer claims that she owns the copyright of "Muggles" "Lilly Potter" "Larry Potter" and "Nimbus", and that by using similar names Rowling has violated this copyright and harmed the sales of her books.

Stouffer complains that 100 000 copies of each title were distributed within the USA, from 1987-1989, and again in 1997. She says that she finds Rowling's own explainations for coming up with the names herself "muddled".

Stouffer also points out similarities between her own books and the popular Harry potter Series. The presence of a lake, for example, which is crossed by boats; a large door which is knocked on three times; a castle on a cliff with a great hall; villages of muggles; sports; drinking! In my opinion, she should just add living, brething organisms to her list and be done with it! Nearly all fantasy novels will include a lare number of these elements.

As these books were published predominantly in America, and Rowling lives both now and in her youth in Britain, it is highly unlikely that she would have got her hands on a copy of one of Stouffer's books. Stouffer, however, claims that she is an American citizen!

Nancy stouffer is planning on republishing her books, and claims she is not jealous of Rowling's success. It must be hard, however, to argue that her sales have been damaged, as the case will undoubtably increase interest in and sales of these.

Ms Stouffer's site can be found at www.realmuggles.com.

This site does not advocate use of threats or violence against Ms Stouffer. If you e-mail her, remember that you are representing Harry Potter fans everywhere. Don't give us a bad reputation, as it will just enhance her arguments! By all means, state your arguments, but be polite about it!