From the jagged, jumbled lettering of the title to the picture of a youngster flying through the air framed by pillars, the book looks fantastically familiar. But the figure on the front isn't Harry Potter it's Tanya Grotter, heroine of a Russian series that has the boy wizard's backers crying plagiarism.While Tanya Grotter is an 11-year-old girl and rides a magical double bass instead of a broomstick, she shares several attributes with her near-namesake: Like Potter, she is an orphan, wears glasses and has an unusual mark on her face a mole on her nose. And like the Potter books, the Grotter series is full of fanciful magic words that set spells in motion.
The author of both the Grotter books, Dmitry Yemets, said his work was "entirely independent." However, he also said it was meant in part as a parody of the Harry Potter series, but with roots in Russian culture and folklore.
The author of both the Grotter books, Dmitry Yemets, said his work was "entirely independent." However, he also said it was meant in part as a parody of the Harry Potter series, but with roots in Russian culture and folklore.
"It's a sort of Russian answer to Harry Potter," said Yemets, a philologist by training and a specialist in Russian folklore. He said he sees his books as being in a "cultural 
competition" with the Harry Potter series, which has sold about 1.2 million copies in Russia.
Saying the resemblance goes far deeper than the cover, lawyers for Potter author J.K. Rowling, her Russian publisher and Warner Brothers have threatened to sue Eksmo, the publisher of Tanya Grotter and the Magical Double Bass, unless it withdraws the book and promises not to print any more.
competition" with the Harry Potter series, which has sold about 1.2 million copies in Russia.Saying the resemblance goes far deeper than the cover, lawyers for Potter author J.K. Rowling, her Russian publisher and Warner Brothers have threatened to sue Eksmo, the publisher of Tanya Grotter and the Magical Double Bass, unless it withdraws the book and promises not to print any more.
Eksmo's reaction: Go fly a Nimbus-2000.
"This baseless accusation of plagiarism is no reason for us to carry out their wishes," Eksmo spokesman Alexei Shekhov said. He said a letter from the Moscow office of the law firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Green and MacRae demanding the withdrawal of the books was "stupid and impudent" and derided the threat as a result of "fear and panic."
"It's fear of competition," said Shekhov, who said the first Grotter book has sold about 100,000 copies. The second, Tanya Grotter and the Disappearing Floor, hit bookstores last week. Legal threats aside, Shekhov said the company plans to publish two more Grotter books this year.
Rowling herself was cleared of charges of plagiarism earlier this year after American author Nancy Stouffer said that Rowling had stolen ideas from her own children's books, including stories about a boy named Larry Potter.
Neil Blair, a lawyer and business manager at Rowling's literary agency, Christopher Little, confirmed in an e-mail that "a cease and desist letter alleging violation of intellectual property rights" was sent to Eksmo.
"I would suggest that anyone who compares the books (contents, sleeve etc.) will agree that the facts of this case speak for themselves," he said.
"This baseless accusation of plagiarism is no reason for us to carry out their wishes," Eksmo spokesman Alexei Shekhov said. He said a letter from the Moscow office of the law firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Green and MacRae demanding the withdrawal of the books was "stupid and impudent" and derided the threat as a result of "fear and panic."
"It's fear of competition," said Shekhov, who said the first Grotter book has sold about 100,000 copies. The second, Tanya Grotter and the Disappearing Floor, hit bookstores last week. Legal threats aside, Shekhov said the company plans to publish two more Grotter books this year.
Rowling herself was cleared of charges of plagiarism earlier this year after American author Nancy Stouffer said that Rowling had stolen ideas from her own children's books, including stories about a boy named Larry Potter.
Neil Blair, a lawyer and business manager at Rowling's literary agency, Christopher Little, confirmed in an e-mail that "a cease and desist letter alleging violation of intellectual property rights" was sent to Eksmo.
"I would suggest that anyone who compares the books (contents, sleeve etc.) will agree that the facts of this case speak for themselves," he said.
In China this year, a book called Harry Potter and Leopard-Walk-Up-To-Dragon was released bearing Rowling's name on the cover, but was written by an anonymous author. Rowling is at work on the real fifth installment, which is not expected to be finished this year.
For Russian fans waiting for the next Potter book, the Grotter series is an affordable alternative. At a large bookstore in Moscow, the first Grotter book sold for about $2.50, while Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in that series, cost $5.85.
For Russian fans waiting for the next Potter book, the Grotter series is an affordable alternative. At a large bookstore in Moscow, the first Grotter book sold for about $2.50, while Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in that series, cost $5.85.
Source WIRED
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