Judge refuses to dismiss suit against J.K. Rowling

[October 14, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- A judge has refused to dismiss a plagiarism lawsuit against Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling

But Justice David Kitchin has ruled that while the claim by the estate of the late fantasy author Adrian Jacobs had a chance of success, he described it as being "improbable." He also issued an order demanding a cash security before any further hearings are held on the matter.

Jacobs' estate claims that "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" copied substantial parts of Jacobs' 1987 book, "The Adventures of Willy the Wizard -- No. 1 Livid Land."

Rowling has called the claims unfounded and absurd, saying she only learned of the book in 2004.

Jacobs died in London in 1997.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.