I just read that a number of people who were accidentally sold the new
Harry Potter book were ordered by a judge to not even look at it until
the official release of the book.
 I'm outraged - this is an accidental breach of contract between the
bookseller and the publisher, not between the consumer and the
publisher.
 I find it hard to believe that a judge can have that sort of power -
to protect a  CHILDREN'S FANTASY BOOK.
 Is this really possible?  Where are we going in the Western world
when this can happen?

Hello pcventures,

Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet & E-commerce Law,
University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, takes a similar view.  Here are
his posts on the subject:

"Court Orders Harry Potter Purchasers to Return Book" (Jul. 11/05)
Michael Geist
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=886&Itemid=85

"More on Harry Potter" (Jul. 12/05)
Michael Geist
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=887&Itemid=85

"The Harry Potter Injunction" (Jul. 12/05)
Michael Geist
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=889&Itemid=85

Professor Geist's posts link to other information on the controversy,
including the publisher's view and the injunction itself.  For your
convenience, here are a few useful pages:

"Re: Injunction Notice" (July 13, 2005)
Raincoast Books
http://raincoast.com/harrypotter/injunction-commentary.html

"Important Notice" (July 9, 2005) [text of injunction]
Raincoast Books
http://raincoast.com/harrypotter/injunction.html

"B.C. store lets slip the new Harry Potter," by James Adams (July 12, 2005)
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050712.wxharry12/BNStory/Entertainment/

- justaskscott


Search strategy --

Searched on Google News for:

"harry potter" "canadian judge"

Browsed links from Michael Geist posts.

Nicely done - thanks!