Pottergate Continues

Steven Vander Ark sure could use Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak right about now. This week the former middle school librarian has been embroiled in a sensitive trial over whether his forthcoming 400 page book, The Harry Potter Lexicon, an A to Z of all things Potter, borrows too much from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. (SCHL)

The New York judge is encouraging Rowling and publisher RDR books settle out of court, after two days of emotional testimony from Rowling and Vander Ark. "I think this case, with imagination, could be settled," said Judge Robert Patterson Jr., on the third day of proceedings in Manhattan federal court.

The Lexicon is based on Vander Ark’s website, which Rowling bestowed a fansite award upon in 2004. But now that it’s being marketed and sold for $24.95, the venture has gone from fan to folly.