Publisher denies Harry Potter plagiarism

The publisher of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels has denied accusations that she copied story ideas from another book.

The Scottish writer has been accused of taking plotlines for 2000's Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire from a 1987 book called Willy The Wizard, written by Adrian Jacobs.

In a statement, publishers Bloomsbury said: "The allegations of plagiarism... are unfounded, unsubstantiated and untrue. This claim is without merit and will be defended vigourously."

Jacobs's estate has claimed that his finished manuscript was rejected by the man who later went on to represent Rowling. The allegedly stolen ideas are said to include the idea of a wizard tournament.

However, Bloomsbury has described Willy The Wizard as a "very insubstantial booklet... which had very limited distribution", adding: "[He] is not a young wizard and the book does not revolve around a wizard school."

Rowling's Harry Potter books have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide and spawned a multi-billion pound movie franchise.

Jacobs died in 1997 and the claim, first brought in 2004, is being spearheaded by his son. His estate is asking for an injunction against further sales of Goblet, alongside damages or a share in profits.