# The Harry Potter Lexicon

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Online encyclopedia of the Harry Potter series

Steve VanderArk, creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, speaking at the Sectus conference in London in 2007

**The Harry Potter Lexicon** is a fan-created online [encyclopedia](/source/Encyclopedia) of the *[Harry Potter](/source/Harry_Potter)* series.

## Overview

The site was created by American school librarian and drama teacher Steve VanderArk. It contains detailed information for all seven published *Harry Potter* books. The Lexicon lists [characters](/source/List_of_characters_in_the_Harry_Potter_books), [places](/source/List_of_places_in_the_Harry_Potter_books), [creatures](/source/Magical_beasts_(Harry_Potter)), spells, potions and [magical devices](/source/Magical_objects_in_Harry_Potter), as well as analyzing [magical](/source/Magic_(Harry_Potter)) theory and other details of the series. The Lexicon is credited as creating one of the first timelines of all events occurring in the *Harry Potter* universe. A similar timeline of events was adopted by [Warner Bros.](/source/Warner_Bros.) for inclusion with their *Harry Potter* [film](/source/Film) DVDs, and was accepted by author [J. K. Rowling](/source/J._K._Rowling) as conforming to her works.

The Lexicon is a winner of J. K. Rowling's Fan Site Award. Rowling said:[1]

This is such a great site that I have been known to sneak into an [internet café](/source/Internet_caf%C3%A9) while out writing and check a fact rather than go into a bookshop and buy a copy of *Harry Potter* (which is embarrassing). A website for the dangerously obsessive; my natural home.

## Lawsuit

Main article: [*Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. RDR Books*](/source/Warner_Bros._Entertainment_Inc._v._RDR_Books)

On October 31, 2007, J. K. Rowling and [Warner Brothers](/source/Warner_Brothers) filed a lawsuit against RDR Books over the publication of Vander Ark's Lexicon in book form.[2][3][4] The lawsuit was heard in a [New York](/source/New_York_(state)) court on April 14, 2008,[5][6] so precedent from [the Second Circuit](/source/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Second_Circuit) applies.

The lawsuit states:

The infringing book is particularly troubling as it is in direct contravention to Ms. Rowling's repeatedly stated intention to publish her own companion books to the series.[7]

The result of the lawsuit was that the book could be published, but not in its present form. A modified version of the book was published in 2009. This case went to [bench trial](/source/Bench_trial) in the New York Federal District Court of Judge Robert Patterson on April 14, 2008. RDR Books’ defense team, which includes solo San Francisco practitioner, Lizbeth Hasse of the Creative Industry Law Group, solo New York practitioner David Hammer, and the [Fair Use Project](/source/Fair_Use_Project) at [Stanford University Law School](/source/Stanford_University_Law_School), has replied to the suit, arguing:

In support of her position Ms Rowling appears to claim a monopoly on the right to publish literary reference guides, and other non-academic research, relating to her own fiction. This is a right no court has ever recognized. It has little to recommend it. If accepted, it would dramatically extend the reach of copyright protection, and eliminate an entire genre of literary supplements: third party reference guides to fiction, which for centuries have helped readers better access, understand and enjoy literary works.[8]

Rowling stated that her efforts to halt the publishing of the Lexicon have been crushing her creativity, and said that she was not sure if she has "the will or the heart" to now publish her own encyclopedia.[9]

On 8 September 2008, Rowling won her copyright case against RDR Books.[10] The judge concluded that there was too much direct quotation (attributed and unattributed) and that though the books was transformative in respect of the Harry Potter series, it was less transformative of the "schoolbooks" (*Magical Creatures* and *History of Quidditch*). The minimum award was made of $750 for each of the infringed works, for a total of $6,750, and an injunction was made preventing publication of the book in its then current form.[11]

Lexicon publisher RDR Books said:

We are encouraged by the fact the court recognized that as a general matter authors do not have the right to stop the publication of reference guides and companion books about literary works. As for the Lexicon, we are obviously disappointed with the result, and RDR is considering all of its options.

## Publication

In December 2008, a modified (and shorter) version of Vander Ark's Lexicon was approved for publication and was released January 16, 2009 as *The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction*.[12]

## See also

- [*Harry Potter* fandom](/source/Harry_Potter_fandom)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [J. K. Rowling](/source/J._K._Rowling). ["J.K.Rowling Official Site - Section: Fan Sites - The Harry Potter Lexicon"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060316220934/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/fansite_view.cfm?id=14). JKRowling.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/fansite_view.cfm?id=14) on 2006-03-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cnn_2-0)** ["Rowling suing fan over new Potter book"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080415224902/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/04/14/rowling.trial.ap/index.html). *[CNN](/source/CNN)*. April 14, 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/04/14/rowling.trial.ap/index.html) on April 15, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Neumeister, Larry (February 29, 2008). ["JK Rowling Bashes 'Harry Potter Lexicon'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080305000110/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIGNIcztySvpGhm95iGPhNL7ov1AD8V406HO0). Associated Press. Archived from [the original](http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIGNIcztySvpGhm95iGPhNL7ov1AD8V406HO0) on March 5, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Crace, John (March 11, 2008). ["Harry Potter: the last battle"](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/mar/11/harrypotter.law). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. London. Retrieved May 25, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["JK Rowling sues to block fan site's Harry Potter book"](http://www.out-law.com/page-8953). Out-law.com. March 18, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Copy of Complaint"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171322/https://www.out-law.com/PDF/Lawsuit_JKRowling_v_RDR.pdf) (PDF). October 31, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.out-law.com/PDF/Lawsuit_JKRowling_v_RDR.pdf) (PDF) on 2018-12-29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Kearney, Christine (October 31, 2007). ["Rowling, Warner Bros. sue over Potter book"](https://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN3133972420071031). *[Reuters](/source/Reuters)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Falzone, Anthony (February 10, 2008). ["RDR Files Opposition To Rowling's Preliminary Injunction Motion"](http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/node/5679). [Stanford Law School](/source/Stanford_Law_School).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Rowling testifies in Potter case"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7346093.stm). *[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)*. April 14, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["JK Rowling Wins Copyright Claim"](http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/JK-Rowling-Wins-Harry-Potter-Lexicon-Copyright-Case-Steven-Vander-Ark-Book-Halted-By-Judge/Article/200809215095424?lpos=World%2BNews_3&lid=ARTICLE_15095424_JK%2BRowling%2BWins%2BHarry%2BPotter%2BLexicon%2BCopyright%2BCase%253A%2BSteven%2BVander%2BArk%2BBook%2BHalted%2BBy%2BJudge). Sky News. September 9, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["OPINION AND ORDER #96466: For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiffs have established copyright infringement of the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, and Quidditch Through the Ages by J for Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Et al v. RDR Books et al"](https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv09667/315790/92).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Ark, Steve Vander (2009). *The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials*. RDR Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-57143-174-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-57143-174-5).

## External links

- [The Harry Potter Lexicon](https://www.hp-lexicon.org/)

- [Case page](http://news.justia.com/cases/featured/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv09667/315790/) on Justia.com

v t e Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling Wizarding World Books Main novels The Philosopher's Stone The Chamber of Secrets The Prisoner of Azkaban The Goblet of Fire The Order of the Phoenix The Half-Blood Prince The Deathly Hallows Spin-offs Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Quidditch Through the Ages The Tales of Beedle the Bard Short stories Prequel Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies Feature films Harry Potter (cast · music) The Philosopher's Stone soundtrack, "Hedwig's Theme" The Chamber of Secrets soundtrack The Prisoner of Azkaban soundtrack The Goblet of Fire soundtrack The Order of the Phoenix soundtrack The Half-Blood Prince soundtrack The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 production soundtrack The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 production soundtrack accolades Fantastic Beasts (cast · characters) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them soundtrack The Crimes of Grindelwald soundtrack The Secrets of Dumbledore Characters (cast) Harry Potter Ron Weasley Hermione Granger Voldemort Albus Dumbledore Severus Snape Rubeus Hagrid Minerva McGonagall Draco Malfoy Neville Longbottom Fred and George Weasley Ginny Weasley Sirius Black Remus Lupin Death Eaters Bellatrix Lestrange Dolores Umbridge Luna Lovegood Blaise Zabini Newt Scamander Fictional universe Creatures Objects Ministry of Magic Places Beauxbatons Diagon Alley Hogwarts Muggle Quidditch Other works Wizarding World Digital The Cursed Child Hogwarts Tournament of Houses 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Television series Inspired media Video games The Philosopher's Stone (2001) PlayStation PC Game Boy Advance Game Boy Color The Chamber of Secrets Quidditch World Cup The Philosopher's Stone (2003) The Prisoner of Azkaban The Goblet of Fire The Order of the Phoenix The Half-Blood Prince The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Harry Potter for Kinect Book of Spells Book of Potions Fantastic Beasts: Cases From the Wizarding World Hogwarts Mystery Wizards Unite Magic Awakened Hogwarts Legacy Quidditch Champions Lego Lego Creator: Harry Potter Creator: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4, 5–7 Lego Dimensions Amusement parks The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando Japan Hollywood Beijing Attractions Dragon Challenge Flight of the Hippogriff Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure The Escape from Gringotts The Forbidden Journey Hogwarts Express Movie Magic Experience Exhibitions The Exhibition A History of Magic Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour Shanghai – The Making of Harry Potter Other Lego Harry Potter Trading Card Game Fandom A Celebration of Harry Potter Drarry Fandom Forward The Leaky Cauldron LeakyCon Mischief Management MuggleNet Scorbus Wizard rock Wolfstar Wrockstock Fan fictions All the Young Dudes Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality Harry Potter in Calcutta Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles My Immortal Fan films Hermione Granger and the Quarter Life Crisis Severus Snape and the Marauders Voldemort: Origins of the Heir Parodies A Very Potter Musical A Very Potter Musical album A Very Potter Sequel EP A Very Potter Senior Year Other Epic Movie Muddle Earth Too Skulduggery Pleasant: Resurrection Potter Puppet Pals Puffs Wizard People, Dear Reader Treehouse of Horror XII Related Influences and analogues Legal disputes List of organisms named after the Harry Potter series Politics Portkey Games Religious debates Translation Harry, A History Harry Potter and the Sacred Text The Harry Potter Lexicon The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter Pollomuhku ja Posityyhtynen Potterless Heyday Films Category Outline

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Harry Potter Lexicon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Harry_Potter_Lexicon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Harry_Potter_Lexicon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.