Here's a transcript of an interview with the author! Want to know who the interviewer was?
Well, that isn't given, but why not read this and figure it out for yourself?
HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN THREATENED?
This is the best way to start an interview!Yes. I have received several threats to my life. The F. B. I. has been notified.
I have also had a number of profane e-mails from avid HP fans, using terminology claimed from JKR’s books.
It makes me wonder what they have gained from reading Ms. Rowling’s work.
I don’t believe I could ever be proud of the fact that my work was encouraging young readers to feel that it’s okay to attack anyone, the way they have violated me.
Especially, because I’m the victim in this case, not Ms. Rowling
So, in answer to you, Aggie...yes.Even more disconcerting, is the fact that they are certainly aware of the substance of some of the chat room conversations and their fans’ intent, and have taken no action to discourage this profane and life-threatening behavior.
And, in the absence of any corrective action on their part, are in fact encouraging it. I have to ask parents---is this really what we want for our children?
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE INFRINGEMENTS ON YOUR PROPERTIES AND TRADEMARKS?
The infringements that didn't happen?I believe that Scholastic Inc., Arthur A. Levine and J. K. Rowling have committed trademark infringements and have competed unfairly, irreparably damaging my properties and goals.
"Because seeing as it was a book that was totally different and didn't even have a similar title, it was intensely threatening to my business."I didn't wait until three books had been printed before taking action. I was like most people, who were completely unaware of the
books until their meteoric rise in popularity last year.
An acquaintance of mine pointed the books out to me in July 1999, expressing astonishment at how of my materials had been included.
Especially, as Nancy pointed out in her suit, the inclusion of a GREAT HALL. Gasp!I did some reading, then immediately contacted Scholastic, Inc.
The third book had not yet been published. I communicated with Scholastic for several months, in good faith, trying to reach an amicable settlement with all of the parties involved.
It appeared to me that I was the only one operating in good faith, an appearence confirmed when Scholastic, Rowling, and Time-Warner
filed suit against me without any prior warning that they desired to discontinue discussions.Untrue. She filed suit first.None of the books were released with a license to use my trademarks, nor with any consideration fo unfair trade practices.
ARE YOU JEALOUS OF J. K. ROWLING’S SUCCESS?
No.
This is the question most often asked of me by children.
can only say to them that I am not the jealous type
I enjoy encouraging others to succeed, but I am very firm in my position that you can’t take from another to accomplish those goals, especially not without their permission.
I will give you an example of how strongly I feel about encouraging others to succeed--
When I started this web site, I heard about a sixteen year old boy who was trying to start his own computer web design company. I called him and he now works with me, and has formed his own company. I designed him a logo, and give him all of the credit and encouragement I can. His company name is Olsen Online. There is not a question in my mind that he has every bit the potential of Bill Gates, his idol.
Google search results for which return...nothing. Good job!There is something else I should tell you about Mr. Olsen: he didn’t even have his own computer at home until June of 2000. He learned to navigate and understand the technical aspects of programming by reading and thinking-through applications with primarily his mind, and by using the school library computer when he could.
There are many creative people out there who deserve our support and gratitude, and I make every effort I can to share my gratitude and acknowledge their importance in the world. I know what it feels like to be on an island with boats passing by every day, that don’t see the fire-burning S. O. S., inside of you.
When my boat passes by someone’s island, I stop every chance I get, and welcome them aboard.
I filed my copyrights and applied trademarks involved in this case beginning in 1984. Four copyrights were filed for the Muggle(s) properties, two for the Lilly and Larry Potter properties, and two for the Nimbus properties.
Oh, yeah forgot to mention those. Suffice it to say the "Lilly and Larry Potter" thing was a scam.WHEN WERE YOUR BOOKS PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Testing began in 1984 and continued through 1986, and the books were distributed to retailers in 1987 through 1989, and a promotional copy in 1997.
HOW WELL DID YOUR BOOKS SELL?
The books sold very wellOh, I'm sure they did.We distributed over 100,000 copies of each title printed for distribution throughout the east coast and other sites across the United
States, and all were sold within a week. Requests from distributors and the public for the books, prompted Warner to offer me four different contracts for the books.
WHY DIDN’T YOU ACCEPT THE WARNER CONTRACTS?
I didn’t accept the contracts, because I couldn’t at the time. There were claims being made for the copyrights and trademarks by my first publisher, and before I could enter into another agreement I had to clear the title rights through the Federal Courts. Although I had been completely successful, and the Court gave me exclusive ownership to all of the copyrights and trademarks, it had taken a great deal of time.
Legend of Rah and the Muggles and two additional books in the series. I am also completing a new book for the Silver Linings series.
WHERE DID YOU GET THE NAMES FOR THE CHARACTERS AND TITLES OF YOUR BOOKS?
My children were my greatest source for my characters, but I also made it a point to include names of the very special people who have helped me throughout the years
The people named Naddie, Neddie, Zyn, and Rah!The Muggles in my books came from my son Vance, who as a little boy, would asked me if he could kiss my muggies, that’s what he called my cheeks, and the rest was history----I started calling him my little Muggle.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT J. K. ROWLING'S EXPLANATION AS TO HOW SHE CAME-UP WITH HER NAMES?
I must say that I am a bit confused by her answers.
When she was first asked this question she stated that she didn’t know where she got the name Muggle(s). She has now come-up with a new explanation for her usage of this name, and a couple of others.
She has also stated since then, that a friend had to remind her where she got one of her other names---- it all seems like a series of very muddled explanations, and that confuses me.
I never had to think about where I got my names. I always knew if they just popped-into my head, or if someone, or something prompted me to use them.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT J. K. ROWLING’S PUBLISHER’S NEWS RELEASE THAT CALLS YOUR CLAIMS MERITLESS?
Ignoring the fact that they are meritless.I don’t like the fact that someone as powerful as Time-Warner and Scholastic Inc. have the ability to steal someone’s property, limit
their media exposure of the nasty deed, and then call them a liar.
Nine eleven was a Jewish conspiracy and the KKK killed the dinosaurs!When in reality, if it weren’t for the fact that they controlled the bulk of the media sources, I may have had better exposure for my point of view.
Everyone should always keep in mind, that nearly every television broadcasting company, large cable companies that deliver the network broadcasts, the bulk of the major news magazines, some newspaper syndicates and radio networking, are all involved with or controlled by the Time-Warner Group in some way; including but not limited to America Online and Microsoft internet operations.
This gives them the ability to influence the sale of products, and enables them to slant public opinion in every way, and that includes matters concerning my case.
I must tell you that it frightens me to think that the public probably doesn’t think about the power these companies have
It also frightens me that the public may not have considered the fact that I made these claims, knowing, that in order to defend my rights, and take a stand for all creative people, I would have to pay a very big price both personally and professionally.
I would also ask the public to take into consideration the fact that a law firm of the stature of the one representing my case, would
not have undertaken this case, knowing that it would cost them several million dollars to defend me, if they weren’t very sure that my claims were valid.