Warner Brothers, which owns the Harry Potter rights, has cast an evil spell on a children’s Harry Potter festival at the public library in Odense, Denmark. The company has banned the library from using any Potter names or images.
The free festival, mainly for kids, has been running at the library since 2003, when it started as a small event. It’s grown to 13,000 visitors, 130 volunteers and even a visit from JK Rowling herself. The event features train rides, broomstick rides, readings and even a chance to write for the Daily Prophet.
But apparently, the library’s success struck a dark note in the Warner heart. Odense project leader Søren Dahl Mortensen told local press that “We are a non-commercial event, as we have stated before. But 13,000 people are coming to this festival. We have now received official instruction that we may not use the Harry Potter universe. We have likely become too big for them.”
JK Rowling meets young Harry Potter fans at 2010 Odense Library event
But, he said, the festival will not be canceled. We will continue but will have to call it something else. Maybe we’ll call it ‘Magical Days’ or ‘The Festival That Must Not Be Named’. We don’t want to stop.” Mortensen said.
Mortensen added, “We don’t quite understand Time Warner’s position because we think we’re keeping the universe alive. A lot of children are looking forward to coming and are making their costumes at home in preparation.”
