Rowling feels "exploited" by Potter book

JK Rowling has said she feels "exploited" by plans to release a reference book about her wizard creation Harry Potter.

Rowling is taking legal action against Steve Vander Ark and publisher RDR Books over their plans to release a Potter encyclopedia.

Rowling said: "I am very frustrated that a former fan has tried to co-opt my work for financial gain."

RDR has defended the book as a "legitimate literary activity".

The publisher added: "Like a reference book or a guide to literature, it's a long-recognised genre.

"We are not replacing the novel or taking away the market."

In a written court declaration Rowling said she opposed the book, claiming she plans to release her own encyclopedia.

"I believe that RDR's book constitutes a Harry Potter rip-off of the type I have spent years trying to prevent," said Rowling.

"Both I, as the creator of this world, and fans of Harry Potter would be exploited by its publication.

"I feel intensely protective, firstly of the literary world I spent so long creating, and secondly, of the fans who bought my books in such large numbers."

The book, titled Harry Potter Lexicon, was due for release last November but publication was delayed after Rowling sought an injunction.