GENEVA (AP) - Time Warner Entertainment emerged the winner from the latest hair-raising Harry Potter adventure, this time fought out in the world of cyberspace.
Time Warner, which holds the Harry Potter marketing rights, was granted ownership of 107 Potter-related Internet domain names in a Dec. 21 ruling by the United Nations' World Intellectual Property Organization.
The names, which include www.harrypotterinhollywood.com, www.harrypottersmovie.com and www.harrypotterfilm.org, had been registered by HarperStephens, of Agoura Hills, Calif.
Time Warner told the U.N. panel it had the rights to produce merchandise based on the four books in the Harry Potter series, the first of which is about to be turned into a Hollywood film.
The tales of the young apprentice wizard and his friends at the Hogwarts Schools of Wizardry and Witchcraft have been a huge hit with children worldwide.
Time Warner said most of the domain names at issue had been registered last spring within two days of the news about the forthcoming film. The company had tried to contact HarperStephens, but received no reply.