'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' Released Early; Scholastic Seeks Legal Action

Scholastic claims that distributor, Levy Home Entertainment and shipments made by DeepDiscount.com, a customer of that distributor, has breached their on-sale agreement by releasing copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as early as July 17, four days prior to the release date.

Scholastic has not disclosed the exact number of books that were released prior to the appointed release time of July 21 at 12:01 a.m., but said the number of copies shipped were equal to one one-hundredth of one percent of the total U.S. copies slated to go on sale on July 21^st.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J.K Rawlings is scheduled to be released across the nation at 12:01 a.m. on July 21. The seventh, and reportedly last, book in the Harry Potter series has been eagerly awaited by Harry Potter Fans across the globe. Midnight parties are scheduled in bookstores, libraries, and department stores in virtually every city in the country to celebrate the release of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

Fans are all well aware that someone dies in this last chapter of the Harry Potter series, but no one knows who that will be, and no one wants to find out until they read it for themselves.

Walmart stores across the globe have taken a pledge of silence at their registers. No one is allowed to discuss this final book until all fans have had the opportunity to read it for themselves. Thousands of fans have joined in the pledge to keep the contents of this final book a secret and have pledged not to spoil the book for anyone.

Scholastic urges anyone who receives the book in advance to please hide it away until the release date of July 21 and appeals to the media to preserve the fun and excitement of Harry Potter Fans everywhere by keeping silent about the contents of the book.

Scholastic extends their thanks to all the retailers and distributors for maintaining the security of the book until the official release time and hopes that this breach does not spoil the fun for those who have long waited for the release of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

Those who are concerned about the ending being divulged before they get a chance to read the book should be cautious of those who may wish to spoil it for them. "I'm not reading anything about Harry Potter on the Internet until after I've read the book." says a very wise Harry Potter Fan. "I'm not taking any chances that someone will tell me the ending."

Sources:Statement from Scholastic. Press Release.