POTTER'S J.K. ROWLING WINS COURT CASE

Famed Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has won a court battle to ban the publication of pictures of her son David when he was just 18 months old.The writer alleged the boy’s privacy rights had been infringed by the long-lens shots taken in Edinburgh, Scotland by Big Pictures photo agency in 2004, but lost a legal battle in London’s High Court last year. Rowling took the case to the Court of Appeal, because she wanted her children to grow up "free from unwarranted intrusions into their privacy". A judge ruled yesterday that there was an infringement of her privacy. Judge Sir Anthony Clarke told the court, "If a child of parents who are not in the public eye could reasonably expect not to have photographs of him published in the media, so too should the child of a famous parent."In our opinion, it is at least arguable that a child of ‘ordinary’ parents could reasonably expect that the press would not target him and publish photographs of him." Rowling and her husband, Dr Neil Murray, released a statement, saying, "We understand and accept that with the success of Harry Potter there will be a measure of legitimate media and public interest in Jo’s professional activities and appearances."However, we have striven to give our children a normal family life outside the media spotlight."We are immensely grateful to the Court for giving our children protection from covert, unauthorized photography; this ruling will make an immediate and material difference to their lives."

J.K. ROWLING IN NEW YORK CITY COURT

Famed Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling said in a New York City courtroom yesterday that a lexicon based on her "Harry Potter" books is sloppy and incorrect.Warner Bros. and Rowling are suing RDR Books for copyright infringement for publishing Steven Vander Ark's unauthorized reference book, the "Harry Potter Lexicon,". Should my fans be flooded with a surfeit of substandard books -- so-called lexicons -- I'm not sure I'd have the will or heart to continue," Rowling said in court.The report said she also described Vander Ark's book as "sloppy," "lazy" and "incorrect." Rowling later issued a statement explaining it gives her "no pleasure to take legal action" against the publishers."I feel very strongly about an important issue that affects everyone and not just me," she said. "If books that plagiarize other works are permitted, authors, fans and readers stand to lose. There are lots of books in many languages that comment on or criticize 'Harry Potter,' and that's fine. But the book in this case is different. It provides no analysis and virtually no commentary. It takes far too much and it offers precious little in return."

HARRY POTTER BOOK RAISES MILLIONS

Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling has helped to raise $3.9 million for charity after a rare copy of her latest book sold at a London auction for 40 times its estimated price.The Tales of Beedle The Bard - first mentioned in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, is a hand written and illustrated book of tales relating to the boy wizard’s final adventures. Only seven copies of the book are in existence and six of them were handed out by Rowling as gifts to those "most closely connected" to the Potter series since its conception, while one was put up for auction on Thursday to help raise money for her Children’s Voice charity.The rare book, the only one bound in brown morocco leather and mounted with silver and semi-precious stones - was sold to an anonymous bidder after going under the hammer at Sotheby’s auction house. It was originally valued at between $60,000 to $100,000. Speaking after the sale, Rowling said: "I’m stunned and ecstatic. Christmas has come early for me." Rowling founded Children’s Voice in 2005 with the aim of improving the rights of European children.

ROWLING WON'T SUE HARRY POTTER FANS

J.K. Rowling has given fans permission to write sequels to the 'Harry Potter' books.The author - whose seven-book series about the young wizard has sold almost 400 million copies - will not take legal action against George Lippert, who wrote a follow-up to Harry's adventures on his website.Under copyright laws Lippert could have been prosecuted for his actions.Rowling's lawyers confirmed she is happy for spin-offs to be published online as long as the publications are not sold and it is made clear she was not involved in the stories. She also requested the follow-ups do not contain pornography or racism. Meanwhile, Rowling - who has seen the 'Harry Potter' books turned into blockbuster movies - has been voted entertainer of the year by Entertainment Weekly magazine.The publication insisted she deserved the title for getting"people to tote around her big, old-fashioned printed-on-paper books as if they were the hottest new entertainment devices on the planet".The magazine also named George Clooney a "valedictorian" because he has "deftly balanced box-office viability with personal responsibility".

J.K. ROWLING TERRIFIED OF RELIGIOUS MAN

J.K. Rowling

Author J.K. Rowling was terrified when a religious fanatic confronted her over her 'Harry Potter' novels.The books - which tell the story of teen wizard Harry and his times at magic school, Hogwarts - has angered some Christian extremists who claim the series glamorizes witchcraft and black magic.Rowling relived an incident when she was confronted by one such extremist, who ignored the fact she was with her family - 14-year-old Jessica, four-year-old David and two-year-old Mackenzie - when he verbally accosted her.She said: "One time I was in a toy store with my three children and was recognized by one girl who got all excited. The next thing that happened was a man came up to me and said, 'Aren't you that Potter woman?'"Then he brought his face close to me and said, very aggressively, 'I pray for you every evening.' I should have said he'd better pray for himself but I was stunned. It was very frightening."I want nothing to do with fundamentalism of any sort. It scares me."The 42-year-old author - who stunned fans when she recently revealed Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore was gay - also spoke about how religion has affected her life.She added to Scotland's Daily Record newspaper: "I was officially raised in the Church of England but I was more of a freak in my family. "We didn't talk about religion at home. I was immensely curious from the age of 13 or 14, I went to church alone."I found it very interesting and I believed in it. But when I went to university, I became more critical. Now I'm back at the point where I started."

POTTERS J.K. ROWLING SUING US PUBLISHER

J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling is suing a US publisher planning to release a Harry Potter encyclopedia's.The millionaire author and Warner Bros - who make the Harry Potter films - are attempting to block RDR Books from publishing a 400-page book based on the Harry Potter Lexicon website. Rowling said: "I cannot approve of 'companion books' or 'encyclopedia's' that seek to pre-empt my definitive Potter reference book for their authors' own personal gain."The author has previously praised Harry Potter Lexicon for its accurate, detailed information about her boy wizard creation, and in 2004 even presented it with a Fan Site Award.But Rowling claims the book will infringe on her intellectual property rights and prevent her writing her own Harry Potter encyclopedia.Meanwhile, the world's most famous children's writer has just completed a set of handwritten fairytales, a spin-off from her Harry Potter books. Only seven copies of 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' - which were mentioned in the final book 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' - will be published.One copy of the tales - illustrated by Rowling herself - will be auctioned to raise money for Rowling's charity, The Children's Voice. She will give the other copies away.Rowling said: "People kept saying to me 'you'll be glad to have a break from writing', when of course I wasn't taking a break at all."I was literally writing out - as these are handwritten books - these new stories which has been a wonderful way to say goodbye. It's like coming up from a deep dive."

J.K. ROWLING KICKS OFF AMERICAN TOUR

J.K. Rowling

Harry Potters J.K. Rowling has kicked off a huge book tour in the United States where she appeared and signed over 1,600 books for kids on Monday. The Harry Potter writer appeared at the Kodak Theater to read a chapter to the audience and answer questions. Rowling stated that “This is an amazing treat for me. I really miss being able to interact directly with the readers. Everyone keeps saying it must be so onerous. Doesn’t it hurt your hand? But honestly that’s the bit I really enjoy.” This is the first book tour in the United States in seven years. The 42-year-old British author stated that after 10 years of writing to meet a deadline, she is now on vacation and has not started writing the Harry Potter encyclopedia fans have been clamoring to get their hands on. Rowling told the 1,600 children in Los Angeles that Harry Potter will be one tough story to follow up on. Rowling’s latest, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final book in the series, sold more than 11 million copies in the first 24 hours it was released in the U.S. and Britain. Rowling is one of the richest woman in the world because of her Harry potter series.

J.K. ROWLING WRITING NEW CRIME NOVEL

'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling is writing a crime novel.The Scottish writer - who recently confessed she broke down in tears after finishing the seventh and final book 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - has been seen "scribbling away" on a detective plot in an Edinburgh cafe.Rowling is refusing to reveal the plot of her new tome, but said on her website: "I want to write something completely different. I can take my time. And the idea of just wandering off to a cafe with a notebook and writing and seeing where it takes me for a while is just bliss."She added: "I'll do what I did with 'Harry Potter' - I will write what I really want to write."Rowling wrote the boy wizard's first adventure, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', in an Edinburgh cafe when she was a struggling single mother.The magical tales of Harry and his Hogwarts pals have made Rowling one of the highest earning writers of all time, and one of the richest women in the world with an estimated fortune of £576 million, according to Forbes magazine's annual rich list.Earlier this year, Rowling revealed plans to write another 'Harry Potter' book.The 41-year-old writer said: "I might do an eighth book for charity - a kind of encyclopedia of the world, so that I could use all the extra material that's not in the books."

J.K. ROWLING MAD AT HARRY POTTER FANS

Author J.K. ROWLING is upset so many impatient HARRY POTTER fans skipped to the last pages of her latest book - just to see how the fictional series ended.Rowling had hoped her faithful fans would read the entire Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows and not race to the end, and now she regrets not putting the final chapter out separately.She says, "I should have published the last chapter separately and forced you to read ’til the last."(After) 17 years work you kind of want people to reach it in the way you want them to reach it."

J.K. ROWLING SUNK INTO DEEP DEPRESSION

Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling sank into a deep depression after completing the final 'Harry Potter' book.The Scottish author went into mourning when she finished the boy wizard's seventh adventure, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', ending the hugely popular series. She told NBC's Meredith Vieira: "The first two days were terrible. I was incredibly low."I was mourning the loss of this world that I had written about for so long and loved so much. I was also mourning the retreat it had been from ordinary life, which it has been."It forced me to look back at 17 years of my life and remember things. I went through the birth of three children, two serious bereavements and a marriage break-up. It was very much linked to my mother dying. But there were lots of happy memories as well. This big long passage from my life is now rounded off."The 41-year-old writer - who turns 42 next Tuesday - also confessed she burst into tears when she completed chapter 34 of the 36 chapter book, which sees Harry walk into the forest to confront his nemesis Voldemort. She said: "I didn't cry as I was writing, but when I finished writing, I had enormous explosion of emotion, and I cried and cried and cried."Rowling says it took a whole week for her to get over the loss of the magical world she created. She explained: "I woke up on kind of day eight and felt actually quite light, light-hearted, and thought, 'I can write whatever I like. And the pressure's off.' And it's not as though Harry's gone from my life, because he will always be in my life."

J.K. ROWLING AFFRAID OF TERRORIST ATTACK WHEN SHE COMES TO NEW YORK

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling promises the latest book brings a "definite end" to the boy wizard's story. The millionaire author refused to reveal the plot of the seventh and final book, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', which is published tomorrow, but told fans she has finished writing about Harry. Rowling said: "Harry's story comes to a definite end in book seven."The popular children's writer hinted Harry may die in the tome after saying she could continue to explore other characters. She said: "Because the world is so big, there would be room to do other stuff. I am not planning to do that, but I'm not going to say I'm never going to do it."Rowling admitted she felt terrible after finishing the final chapter, but eventually her feelings turned to relief. She said: "I felt terrible for a week. The first two days in particular, it was like a bereavement, even though I was pleased with the book."Finishing it is emotional because the books have been so wrapped up with my life. It's almost impossible not to finish and look back to where I was when I started."And then after a week that cloud lifted and I felt quite light-hearted, quite liberated."Meanwhile, Rowling is to be protected by a team of SAS soldiers when she is interviewed for US TV next week.The author will meet NBC's Meredith Viera on Monday to talk about the final book, and it is feared she could be a terrorist target. Employees of Pilgrim Security - veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars -have been hired to protect her. A Pilgrim representative said: "Our teams are used to operating in the most extreme and hostile situations."

TEACHER TRIED TO STOP J.K. ROWLING

Nothing could stop J.K.Rowling

HARRY POTTER author J.K ROWLING’s former English teacher has confessed he recognised her early writing talent - but tried to stop her obsession with fantasy. Steve Eddy taught Rowling at Wyedean Comprehensive in Monmouthshire, Wales. He claims he attempted to convince Rowling to write about more serious subjects fearing her stories were "too childish". Rowling has gone on to sell millions of books and amass a fortune of $1.15 billion (£576 million). Eddy says, "Joanne’s work always showed impressive imagination and in class she was always bright and enthusiastic, much in the way of Hermione in the Harry Potter books."But when it came to her stories they were always about elves or pixies or fairies. I was constantly telling her she was at an age where she should be writing about grittier more real-life things.I’m extremely glad she did not heed my advice. Teacher, it seems, does not always know best."

NEW HARRY POTTER SUCKS AWAY PROFITS

Rich Author J.K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER author J.K. ROWLING and her publishers Bloomsbury have been accused of "sucking" away all the profits from the forthcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book from the stores who will sell it.The seventh and final book about the boy wizard is set for release on July 21st and British booksellers claim they will either make no money or even a loss by selling the novel. A sample survey of independent booksellers found many had only ordered a few copies of the book because they couldn’t compete with the price war of online booksellers. Sydney Davies, the head of trade and industry at the Booksellers Association, said: "It’s not a book any more. It’s become a marketing tool." Tim Robinson, manager of London’s Muswell Hill Bookshop, said: "The price war is ludicrous because we could all be making money on it."

ONE MORE HARRY POTTER FOR CHARITY

Author JK Rowling

British Author JK Rowling has revealed plans to write another 'Harry Potter' book.The seventh novel - 'The Deathly Hollows', due out in the summer - will bring the young wizard's adventures to an end, but Rowling has said she might write an eighth for charity.The 41-year-old writer wrote on her website: "I might do an eighth book for charity - a kind of encyclopedia of the world, so that I could use all the extra material that's not in the books."The book would allow fans a further insight into the world of Harry Potter and his friends, including details that were not included in the best-selling novels. Rowling has already penned two Harry Potter reference books - 'Quidditch Through The Ages' and 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them'.The books raised more than $30 million for British charity Comic Relief.The magical tales of Harry and his Hogwarts pals have made Rowling one of the highest earning writers ever, and one of the richest women in the world with an estimated fortune of 1 Billion according to Forbes magazine's annual rich list. As well as Comic Relief, the children's author supports numerous charities including medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières.

HARRY POTTER AND THE THEME PARK

Harry Potter has become a cash cow !

A Harry Potter theme park is opening in Florida, it has been reported.Fans of the popular children's book series will soon be able to step into the young wizard's magical world as Universal Studios is reportedly close to making a deal to build 'Harry Potter World' in Orlando.The theme park will feature a host of rides, including roller coasters,based on events and plots from JK Rowling's blockbuster books.The Harry Potter brand has already proved a major money-spinner. The books have sold 325 million copies worldwide, while the four films have earned $4 billion. Rowling has gone from being an unpublished struggling writer to a global household name and is now ranked among the richest women on Forbes' magazine's rich list, worth an estimated $1 billion. Universal Studios Florida is also planning a themed ride based on hit animated series 'The Simpsons'.

HARRY POTTER'S JK ROWLING HEARTBROKEN

JK Rowling

JK Rowling is "heartbroken" after finishing the final Harry Potter book.The author, who recently announced she had completed 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', says she has been in mourning since concluding the series.Rowling wrote on her website, www.jkrowling.com : "I always knew Harry's story would end with the seventh book, but saying goodbye was just as hard as I knew it would be."Even though I'm in mourning, I feel an incredible sense of achievement. I can hardly believe I have finally written the ending I've been planning for so many years."I have never felt such a mixture of extreme emotions in my life, never dreamed I could feel simultaneously heartbroken and euphoric."Rowling, 41, says there is one thing that stopped her from "collapsing in a puddle of misery on the floor" - knowing the book is the best one yet. She explained: "While each of the previous Potter books has strong claims on my affections, 'Deathly Hallows' is my favourite, and that is a wonderful way to finish the series."If it comes as any consolation, I think that there will be plenty to continue arguing about, even after 'Deathly Hallows' come out. So do not despair."Rowling, who became the world's first billion-dollar author after the series sold an estimated 325 million copies worldwide and were adapted for the big screen, has revealed at least two characters will die in the final instalment. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' will be released on July 21.

FINAL 'HARRY POTTER' HITS STORES IN JULY

The final Harry Potter book will hit shops on July 21.Publisher Bloomsbury made the long-awaited announcement yesterday confirming 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' - the seventh and final book in series - will go on sale this summer.The book will be available to buy from midnight and huge queues are expected as Potter-mania sweeps the nation again. One fan Laura Simons, 26, said: "I was planning to go on holiday at the end of July but as soon as I heard the last Harry Potter is out I changed my mind."Ever since the first in the series - 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' - was released ten years ago, subsequent books have been met with frenzied excitement. Author JK Rowling has warned fans to expect some sinister shocks, including the deaths of two main characters. She said: "We are dealing with pure evil here. They don't target extras, do they? They go for the main characters - well, I do."Thousands of fans are already placing orders for the book online, even though there are still six months to go. Christopher North, head of books at www.amazon.co.uk said: "Demand is already incredible for the final book. July 21 will be Harry Potter day all over the world."

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OPRAH AND JK ROWLING ARE RICHEST WOMAN IN ENTERTAINMENT

Oprah Winfrey is the richest woman in entertainment with a staggering $1.5 billion fortune.The US chat show host topped the Top 20 Richest Women in Entertainment list, compiled by Forbes magazine, leaving 'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling, who is worth an estimated $1 billion, in second place. US TV domestic goddess Martha Stewart came third with $638 million, followed by Madonna's $325 million fortune. Singer Celine Dion claimed fifth spot with $250 million, closely followed by Mariah Carey, who reportedly is worth $225 million. Janet Jackson, Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lopez took the seventh, eighth and ninth positions respectively. Jennifer Aniston rounded off the top ten with a fortune of $110 million. No one with a fortune below $45 million qualified for a position on the rich list, which doesn't take into account non-working celebrities who essentially live off their royalties.The youngest stars on the list are the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, who came in at number 11 with a combined fortune of $100 million.The richest actress is the eighth placed Julia Roberts, followed by Cameron Diaz, who was placed at number 15, and Nicole Kidman, who claimed 18th spot.

Harry Potter's JK Rowling