US judge dismisses 'Potter' plagiarism case

A US judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought against Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling by the estate of Adrian Jacobs.

The late author's estate claimed that Rowling's fourth book in the best-selling series, The Goblet of Fire, plagiarised Jacobs's novel The Adventures of Willy The Wizard.

However, judge Sheila Sheindlin stated that she found the books to be "distinctly different in both substance and style" in her 49-page ruling, BBC News reports.

"The contrast between the total concept and feel of the works is so stark that any serious comparison of the two strains credulity," she added.

In a statement, Rowling's American publisher Scholastic said that it was "extremely pleased" with the decision.

"The court's swift dismissal supports our position that the case was completely without merit and that comparing Willy the Wizard to the Harry Potter series was absurd," spokesman Kyle Good said. "Scholastic will continue to vigorously defend any such frivolous claims challenging the originality of Harry Potter and the brilliant imagination of its author, J.K. Rowling."

In October, a UK judge decided not to dismiss similar legal action brought against Rowling and her British publisher Bloomsbury by the estate.

> Publisher denies Harry Potter plagiarism