(Dutch) Court: 'Grotter' Story Copies 'Potter' | Chicago Tribune

Court: 'Grotter' Story Copies 'Potter'

By ANTHONY DEUTSCH
Associated Press Writer
Published November 6, 2003, 11:24 AM CST

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- An appeals court Thursday blocked the publication of the Dutch translation of a Russian children's book in the Netherlands, saying the story was stolen from the popular "Harry Potter" books.

The decision by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal reaffirms a lower court ruling that the stories by Russian author Dmitry Yemets about a magical girl named Tanja Grotter too closely resemble J.K. Rowling's best-selling character.

The judges rejected the argument from Byblos publishers in Amsterdam that the Russian work is a parody of the Potter series. It said the story violated copyright law and ordered Byblos to reimburse legal fees of $3,000 to the British author.

"The conclusion is that Tanja Grotter is an unauthorized adaptation of Harry Potter," the ruling said, rejecting Byblos's claim that the Grotter stories contained "subtle humor and philosophical depth," aimed at an adult audience.

More at the Chicago Tribune

"Welcome Back, Potter" -- about a young kinky-haired and joke-cracking wizard who teaches remedial classes to problem apprentices...

would be seen as obvious satire.

One would hope anyway.....