About the lawsuit...

[Steve]

---  "doddiemoemoe" <doddiemoemoe at ...> wrote:
>
>   Well, really it's not about the lawsuit, but, I have to say,
> after all is said and done...I'd love to read a tell-all about
> SVA's trials and tribulations regarding the entire ordeal.
> 
>   I also wonder, given the actual wording of the ruling, if
> the publishing company will consider a re-edit of said material
> and publish the Lexicon anyway?(After all, I don't believe there
> is  a "readers guide" for the entire series yet.)
> 
> Doddie,
> Who thinks the "tell all" would sell more than 
> any Lexicon/reader's guide/encyclopedia ever would.
>

bboyminn:

I've very sympathetic to Steve Vander Ark, I think he was pulled
into a deal that assured him his actions were legal. Then when
the lawsuit began, he was trapped by a signed contract with
confidentiality clauses, that prevented him from withdrawing 
the book or speaking his mind. 

Next, while it seemed reasonable that this is how it would all
turn out. I'm still not sure I agree with the ruling. There
are only so many reasonable ways to describe something before
the definition become so obtuse as to lose all meaning at all.

The Judge quoted JKR and Steve's description of a Fireball 
Dragon. It is called a 'fireball' because it shoots 
mushroom shaped balls of fire. Well, how many ways are there
to make that statement in a clear and concise manner? Is
anyone defining a Fireball Dragon forbidden from using the
word 'mushroom' or 'ball' or 'fire'?

I though Steve did the best he could, the best anyone could,
to give clear definitions that had relevance to the books
without directly quoting JKR. But, really, there is a limit.
We have limited definitions of 'things', and it is hard to 
restate those limited definitions without using similar 
words. The alternative is to use word that are so obscure
and convoluted, that the relevance to the books and the 
underlying meaning are lost.

I still hold Steve Vander Ark in high regard, and am 
disappointed that certain segments of the fan community have
shunned him.

Just my opinion.

Steve/bboyminn