Rowling calls copy claims absurd

JK Rowling plans to ask a court to dismiss accusations that she plagiarised parts of the best-selling Harry Potter series.

On Wednesday, the estate of late British author Adrian Jacobs filed a claim accusing Rowling of stealing that substantial parts of The Adventures of Willy the Wizard - No 1 Livid Land for the fourth book in Rowling's best-selling series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Ms Rowling has called the claims "absurd" and "unfounded", adding, "I am saddened that yet another claim has been made that I have taken material from another source to write Harry.

"The fact is I had never heard of the author or the book before the first accusation by those connected to the author's estate in 2004; I have certainly never read the book.

"The claims that are made are not only unfounded but absurd and I am disappointed that I, and my UK publisher Bloomsbury, are put in a position to have to defend ourselves.

"We will be applying to the Court immediately for a ruling that the claim is without merit and should therefore be dismissed without delay."

Max Markson, who represents Paul Allen, the trustee of Mr Jacob's estate, said: "I estimate it's a billion-dollar case. That'll be the decision of the courts, obviously."

Photo © JP Masclet