That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Cat — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:25:48 GMT

Arthur Weasley had helped Hagrid modify Sirius Black's bike with buttons that could shoot out magically-produced traps in case of a chase.
The celebrity who interrupted your interview with Robbie Coltrane was Dan Akroyd!
I hope I won that bliky cube!

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Mike Townes, Greenville, SC — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:28:38 GMT

Arthur Weasley modded the bike to shoot various Death Eater traps activated with handlebar-mounted buttons. The traps were a net, a brick wall, and dragon's fire.

And your chat was interrupted by Dan Aykroyd.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Ms Lady J, Columbus, OH — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:31:45 GMT

Ok... I don't know the answer about the Arthur Weasly and the motorbike - I'm assuming that's in Book 7 and I'm still in the process of reading it... HOWEVER, the celebrity that interrupted your interview with Robbie Coltrane was...Dan Akroyd! Do I win?? lol :-)

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Darby Seattle, WA — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:38:40 GMT

a button for a net, a button to make a wall, and a button for dragon fire?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

David Hanson, Austin, TX — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:06:12 GMT

Arthur altered the bike to (1) eject a net, (2) produce a brick wall, and (3) use a jet of dragon fire for speed. Sorry, I don't know the bonus, but the prize is an umbrella...

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

heather, DC — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:09:58 GMT

It was Sirius Black's bike, not Serious.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Susan, St. Louis. MO, — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:18:06 GMT

My answer is-the modifications Arthur Weasley added include: a button that shoots a brick wall out the end of the bike, a button that shoots a net out the end of the bike, and a purple button that shoots dragon fire out the end of the bike.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Deborah Chu, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:22:18 GMT

Mr. Weasley adds some buttons to Hagrid's motorbike that produce magic traps. When Hagrid is sent to retreive Harry, he uses the buttons to produce a net, a brick wall, and dragon's fire to slow down the death eaters.

And during your interview with Robbie Coltrane, you were interrupted by comedian Dan Akroyd.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Paul Navarro, Boise Idaho — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:24:52 GMT

I believe Arthur Weasley added a series of buttons that when pushed deplyed magical traps, such as a brick wall, dragon's fire and a big net.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Mark M, Norwalk CT — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:34:21 GMT

Did he change it into a flying car?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Al, Wichita Ks. — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:36:52 GMT

Arthur Weasley added a Dragon-fire button to the motorbike.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Unnamed-critic — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:37:32 GMT

Sirius as in the dog star, not Serious Black.

Please check your writing.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:48:52 GMT

In your haste to correct yourself that it was indeed Sirius Black's motorbike, you misspelled Sirius. Seriously.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Belinda Hobbs — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:49:30 GMT

Arthur modified "Sirius'" motorbike with three buttons. The first put up a brick wall behind the bike, the second flung out a net, the third shot dragonfire out the tailpipe.
Do I win?
(btw, I was an editor on the HP Lexicon, I'll concede an unfair advantage)

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Jethris — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:53:14 GMT

He made it fly. Do I get the mug?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Bill Robertson, Madison, AL — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:58:37 GMT

Can't imagine I'm first, but

"Arthur Weasley had helped Hagrid modify the bike with various buttons that could shoot out magically-produced traps in case of a chase. This turns out to be useful, as Hagrid uses buttons to produce a large net, a solid brick wall, and dragon's fire to deter the Death Eaters."
- from http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Sirius_Black's_motorcycle

and for the bonus
"Toward the end, Dan Akroyd walks into Coltrane's hotel room and you can suddenly tell there's a real Hollywood scene going on."

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Cliff Husted, Rindge, NH — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:03:55 GMT

motorbike was given random "weapons" (different traps like shooting fire) operated by a bunch of buttons, wand was hidden in an old pink umbrella

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Lee, Portland OR — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:17:20 GMT

Answer to question: A button to fire dragons breath?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Dan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:20:51 GMT

Proof read your content before submitting, DumbleDingus!
-I'm surprised Rowling's published???
-digital die.")? end quote??

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Robert Schnieber, Glendale, Arizona — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:28:46 GMT

Arthur Weasley helped Hagrid modify the bike with various buttons that could shoot out magically-produced traps in case of a chase.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Kayla Samples,Eatonville,Washington — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:31:56 GMT

the answer is a turbo booster,a inflatable brick wall,and a net shooter thing. (?)

love kayla

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Patrick Dukes, Rock HIll SC — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:33:59 GMT

Weasley added buttons to make various traps, such as dragon fire, nets and a brick wall.
Was the celebrity interruption by Dan Akroyd?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

jt , phoenix, az — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:49:23 GMT

Arthur modified the bike with various buttons that could shoot out magically produced traps ( like a large net, a solid brick wall, and dragon's fire).

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Amber, Fletcher Hills, CA — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:49:50 GMT

Arthur Weasley put a dragon fire button on the motorcycle.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

jt, phoenix, az — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:02:59 GMT

Dan Akroyd

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

CJ Werlinger, Oklahoma City, OK — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:11:19 GMT

Dan Ackroyd was the person who came into the chat.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Adrian — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:19:16 GMT

A Dragon Fire button was added by Weasley.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Adrian — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:22:30 GMT

Celebrity that interrupted: Dan Ackroyd?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Chris, NJ — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:22:34 GMT

Hagrid hid his wand in an umbrella, not a coffee mug.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

MK, AB Canada — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:31:11 GMT

My head hurt reading your article; please fix up your grammer and punctuation.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Mark Payton Claremont, NH — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:33:58 GMT

Arthur added a number of "weapons" accessible by buttons. These weapons included a brick wall, net, and fire.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:35:57 GMT

Serious Black's bike eh? :)

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Jennifer Stern, Apopka FL — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:45:37 GMT

You spelled a name wrong; it is "Sirius Black," not
Serious Black."

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Nicholas, Sydney, Australia — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:54:37 GMT

Serious Black's?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

cyberbian, boston, MA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:56:26 GMT

Hey those sites helped her hype her books.

She should not be such a greedy witch!

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Roger Agness — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:57:56 GMT

Please pull your Strunk & White back off the shelf:

- "Personally, I'm surprised Rowling's published hasn't already been churning out..." Don't you mean "publisher?"

- "(Yes, I know it was Serious Black's bike, but you know what I mean.) Isn't it "Sirius?"

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Soutrik B, Millburn, New Jersey — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:58:54 GMT

Arthur Weasley added a dragon-fire attachment to the bike, which sent flames flying out the back at the Death Eaters.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Will, Alexandria, VA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:33:21 GMT

Arthur Weasley helped Hagrid modify the bike with various buttons that could shoot out magically-produced traps in case of a chase.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Will, Alexandria, VA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:35:34 GMT

As for the second question, Dan Akroyd is the celebrity who walks in during your interview with Robbie Coltane.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Darren Franzen, Arlington Heights, IL — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:36:33 GMT

Dan Akroyd interrupted your interview with Robbie Coltrane!

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

seth brown cookeville tn — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:42:11 GMT

he put a side carriage on the motorbike. aka a side-car

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Darren Franzen, Arlington Heights, IL — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:44:07 GMT

And Arthur Weasley installed a dragon-fire button on Sirius' motorbike!

Maybe working late will pay off! :)

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Emily Freed, Arlington, Texas — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:46:03 GMT

He modified it to shoot out magical traps to help Harry escape from the Dursley's - it shot out a brick wall, a large net, and dragon's fire. Now send me my umbrella :-)

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Dunia Othman, Auckland, New Zealand — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:47:05 GMT

Arthur Weasley added a button that produced dragon fire, a button that produced a net and a button that produced a solid wall behind him to stop ppl from following...
Dan Akroyd interrupted your interview with Hagrid :)

Dunia

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Amanda, St Charles, Missouri — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:53:36 GMT

Mr Weasley put dragon fire onto the motor bike and Dan Akroyd interrupted the interview.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Amanda, St Charles, Missouri — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:54:02 GMT

Mr Weasley put dragon fire onto the motor bike and Dan Akroyd interrupted the interview.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Claire Wisker, Swannanoa, North Carolina — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:13:54 GMT

On the motorbike is now a button that makes it shoot fire (like a dragon).

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Bryanna Knox, Fredericktown, MO — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:35:50 GMT

Arthur modifies the bike to help protect the riders against death eaters. Specifically you press a button and it shoots out walls, a large net, dragon's fire, etc. This comes in handy during Harry's evacuation of his Uncle's house in the beginning of the 7th book.

...And it was Dan Akroyd that interrupted your interview with Robbie Coltrane.

(Yeah I know WAY too much about HP to be sane.)

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Lynne Peabody, Mammoth Lakes, CA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:46:18 GMT

Made it invisible

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

John Doe, Seattle Wash — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:54:52 GMT

Rowling has alot of nerve...she is a hyp...she copied "Worst Witch" series...to say the least...why sue? maybe collaborate, or make charity deal...what a hog

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Matthew Hughes, Mission, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:58:37 GMT

The modification was a dragon-fire button.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Cameron, Chicago, Illinois — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:04:34 GMT

Well I don't think it says specifically what enchantment Mr. Weasley used in the books. However, I'd imagine he used an enchantment similar to the one he placed on the flying car.

So my guess would have to be an enchantment similar to that of Wingardium Leviosa.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Bill, Weymouth Ma. — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:37:30 GMT

are we supposed to post a reply? my answer is... The sidecar for harry to ride in?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Sarah Ferraro, Dallas, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:17 GMT

Merely wishing to point out that it's Sirius Black, like the brightest star in the night sky, not 'serious'.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Vaughan Oliveira, Laguna Beach, California. — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:09:05 GMT

Arthur Weasley had helped Hagrid make several adjustments to the bike, including a button that produced dragon's fire, one that produced a net, and another that produced a solid wall, all behind the bike.

Bonus: Dan Akroyd

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:17:37 GMT

It's Sirius Black

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Justin, Houston , Texas — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:30:31 GMT

Arthur Weasley made the modifications to the bike more suitable for protection. So he made them more defensive modifications which harry uses later on.

The name of the celebrity who interrupted you in the interview with Robbie Coltrane was Dan Akroyd.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Justin, Houston , Texas — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:32:10 GMT

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Dave — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:40:56 GMT

There's probably comments not approved that have this down already, but according to my Potter-fan daughter the motorocycle (motorbike) was made to breathe or cast dragon-fire.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Dave — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:42:49 GMT

Oh, and you were interrupted by Dan Ackroyd, I believe. I hope I win the flashing die! I need more desk toys =)

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Ben Murphy — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:49:16 GMT

The bike modifications were buttons that let the bike create a wall and a net in the air behind it as a defensive measure, and another one that shot dragon fire out the back as a type of magical nitrous to boost the bike to a much greater speed

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Pamela Buettner, Belleville, IL — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:56:31 GMT

Arthur Weasley added three buttons to the bike. One shoots a brick wall behind the bike. Another shoots out a net. The third shoots flames from the exhaust pipe.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Kerry — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:00:07 GMT

Dan Akroyd is the one who popped in on the Robbie Coltrane interview.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

missy, provo UT — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:10:56 GMT

um, you misspelled forgot in the "Oops, I fogot the photo:" Thanks for the link!

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

K Clark Spencer, Indiana — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:02:53 GMT

Weasley equipped the bike with a button capable of shooting dragon fire out of the exhaust pipe. Dan Akroyd interupted your interview.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Mike B — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:04:01 GMT

It's Sirius Black! (not Serious) Better read a couple of the books!

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

rodney skipworth — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:37:31 GMT

He put spells so that with a push of a button differnet thing came out the back- such as a brick wall, a net, and dragon fire. rodneyskip @ gmail.com

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Laurah in NY — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:03:23 GMT

SERIOUS Black??? Seriously?

Siriusly?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Brian Palmer, Offutt AFB, NE — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:09:57 GMT

He enabled Hagrid's Motorcycle to shoot various things behind it; a net, flames, or a wall.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Brian Palmer, Offutt AFB, NE — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:12:14 GMT

Oh, and Dan Akroyd is who interrupted you during your Robbi Coltrane interview

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Terry Keyes, Bloomfield NY — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:20:14 GMT

Hagrid hid his wand in an umbrella (Brits call it a brolly). No idea on the drop-in celebrity, though!

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Doug Van Allen — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:33:21 GMT

Its the dragon fire button. And its Sirius Black.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Sam Burgan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:35:35 GMT

Was it a sidecar?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Larry Cathey, Memphis, TN — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:37:49 GMT

Author Weasley modified Hagrid motorcycle with defensive measures activated with buttons installed
- a magical aftermarket addition, if you will

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Benson Taylor, Rigby, Idaho — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:54:23 GMT

Defensive Mechanisms

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Bridget — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:10:55 GMT

The side car?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Michael H, Minneapolis, MN — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:12:47 GMT

I believe he added various buttons that made a few magical traps for followers such as a brick wall, a net, and some nasty fire

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

KM — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:36:49 GMT

My My My, people are awfully touchy about a simple spelling mistake and a typo or two aren't they?? WTF?

And where did all these ppl come from anyway, did they get directed from somewhere??

I hope an actual clicked regular wins the prize!

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Cat, Chicago, Illinois — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:47:11 GMT

so who is the winner?

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Concerned Scholar, Minnesota — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:35:41 GMT

The real problem here is the attempt to extend IP rights well beyond any reasonable limit. Guides to things/literary systems have been fair use for years. There is legitimate scholarship that needs to have ancillary materials.

Beyond the tiny genre of companion books, the real risk is to literary criticism. It the stance is maintained that a mention of a work or a connection to it counts as appropriation then writing critical books becomes impossible, as even the gain ascertained by critique becomes articulated inexorably to the original source.

Remember when Diebold started sending trademark violation letters to skeptical journalists? What does it mean for a democracy much less a robust business world when we put everything in a museum the second it is complete?

Disney might love the genre of the instant classic, but the way we police the museum makes for a terrible future.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

AZKobushi, Anytown, Anystate — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:24:47 GMT

There are other examples of stuff like this. Star wars and Star Trek are two that immediately come to mind. I don't think others' use of the original concept to launch other aspects of them has hurt either one.
What we have here is a bruising of her ego.

That Harry Potter fan site at the root of J.K. Rowling's lawsuit

Ed, Ellicott City, MD — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:10:28 GMT

"Personally, I'm surprised Rowling's publisher hasn't already been churning out related reference material to the series. There's a lot of milk in that cash cow."

That's what I think this is *really* about. I think Rowling's publisher wanted to do this and got scooped.