Rowling Sues Durga Puja Festival Organizers for Replicating Hogwart's Castle
The author of the best selling novel Harry Potter had sued the organizers of the renowed religious Durha Puja Festival in India for erecting a copy cat of her imaginary Hogwart's School of Wizardry Caste. J.K. Rowling wants the organizers to pay two million rupees (50,000 dollars).
The replicated castle is erected in Kolkata's Salt Lake district and includes an imitation marble staircase and flagged stone floor in the entrance hall, lit with flaming torches.
"What we are building is not a violation of copyright act anywhere in the world because it's a religious festival and has nothing to do with money-making," Biswas told AFP.
Another organiser, Robin Mukherjee, said he was stunned.
"The summons came at a time when the marquee is almost ready and we don't know what to do now as we cannot afford to pay the fine," the visibly angry official added.
"It's just a theme ...We have also modelled the Titanic and no-one sued us," he said.
Author's Comment:
I personally think that the sue filed by J.K. Rowling was uncalled for. Copyright only pertains to similar writing which is directly connected with the book. There was no copyright infringement seen if there was an actual construction of a architectural design based on a book. Well that is what I know.
Besides, the event is a religious event and the organizer's will not generate any profits from it so why sue them. Rowling had already been made rich by her books and I think she should just think about it as an honor instead. Aren't she glad that even religious people adore his books and Hogwarts?
The replicated castle is erected in Kolkata's Salt Lake district and includes an imitation marble staircase and flagged stone floor in the entrance hall, lit with flaming torches.
"What we are building is not a violation of copyright act anywhere in the world because it's a religious festival and has nothing to do with money-making," Biswas told AFP.
Another organiser, Robin Mukherjee, said he was stunned.
"The summons came at a time when the marquee is almost ready and we don't know what to do now as we cannot afford to pay the fine," the visibly angry official added.
"It's just a theme ...We have also modelled the Titanic and no-one sued us," he said.
Author's Comment:
I personally think that the sue filed by J.K. Rowling was uncalled for. Copyright only pertains to similar writing which is directly connected with the book. There was no copyright infringement seen if there was an actual construction of a architectural design based on a book. Well that is what I know.
Besides, the event is a religious event and the organizer's will not generate any profits from it so why sue them. Rowling had already been made rich by her books and I think she should just think about it as an honor instead. Aren't she glad that even religious people adore his books and Hogwarts?
