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SCMP Reporter

A Chinese-language version of the first 10 chapters of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has appeared on domestic websites three months before the book's official release on the mainland.

The unofficial translation can be read free of charge on several book-club websites and university chat rooms. It has been posted  by fans who were able to purchase the English-language version of the book after its worldwide release on June 21.

Wang Ruiqin, editor-in-chief at People's Culture Press, which owns the rights to the Chinese language version, has expressed outrage at what she called the 'obvious' and 'absolute' infringement of copyright.

'At least four literary websites and several university chat rooms have posted Chinese translations of the fifth volume,' said Ms Wang.

'So far about 200,000 words have been translated and about 10,000 words are being added every day. The internet is a public media. Publishing the book online is an illegal infringement of our copyright.'

However, the publishing house does not have the right to distribute the book electronically, so there is little that they can do to prevent it.

The unofficial translators of the book claim that providing an online version in Chinese is a labour of love, not a business opportunity.

'We wanted to create this ourselves,' said one person involved in translating the book. 'We wanted to encourage an exchange of views between fans. This is not a money-making operation. If anyone feels their rights are being infringed all they have to do is tell us and we will remove it.'

Ms Wang said the book's author and agent were ill-advised  to publish the English-language version before the Chinese translation was complete, given the scale of the piracy problem in China. Pirates could now publish hard copies using the online text, she said.

'We have been instructed by J.K. Rowling's agent to wait for their lead in this matter and not take unilateral action,' she said.

'Apparently the same thing has happened in several other countries and the situation is being monitored. I'm told they are attempting to put some kind of system in place to prevent piracy online - but I don't think it will work in China.'



Harry Potter and the case of copyright infringement