Rowling Wins Court Of Appeal Case

In a decision that may have lasting implications over the photographing of celebrities, JK Rowling has won a Court of Appeal case.

The 42-year-old author, best known for writing the 'Harry Potter' fantasy novels, failed in a High Court action last year to ban a photograph of herself, her husband and her son who was 18 months at the time, being published.

The High Court ruled that there was no right of privacy for famous people carrying out activities such as shopping and that publishing of photographs would not be prohibited unless it caused "harassment or distress".

However, the writer under the name Mrs Joanne Murray, took the case to the Court of Appeal claiming that her son's right to privacy had been infringed.

The three-judge panel said in its ruling that the photograph was "intrusive" on the family's "recreation time".

Ms Rowling said that she had taken up the action because she wanted her children to grow up "free from unwarranted intrusions" into their privacy.

The photograph had originally been taken by agency Big Pictures (UK) who supplied it to Express Newspapers.

The paper had used the photograph in a feature article about her approach to family life and motherhood. Although Express Newspapers settled the claim the case continued against the pictures agency to the Court of Appeal.

There are seven books in the Harry Potter series, the first being published in 1997. Her latest book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released last July. It is reported that the success of the novels has made Ms Rowling the highest-earning novelist in history.

(DS/JM)