NEW YORK ( CNN ) -- A federal judge on Monday ruled against a Web site operator who was seeking to publish an encyclopedia about the Harry Potter series of novels , blocking publication of `` The Harry Potter Lexicon '' after concluding that it would cause author J.K. Rowling `` irreparable injury . '' Steven Vander Ark speaks to the media outside the U.S. District Court on April 15 , 2008 in New York City . U.S. District Judge Robert P. Patterson awarded Rowling and her publisher $ 6,750 in statutory damages and permanently blocked publication of the reference guide . Harry Potter fan Steven Vander Ark sought to publish the book , a reference guide to the Harry Potter series , through a small Michigan-based publishing house called RDR Books . Vander Ark operates a Web site called `` Harry Potter Lexicon . '' Rowling sued RDR Books in 2007 to stop publication of material from Vander Ark 's Web site . Vander Ark and RDR Books claimed the book should not be blocked from publication because it was protected by the `` fair use '' doctrine , which allows for commentary and critique of literary works . Patterson , in his ruling , said the defendants failed to demonstrate fair use . Rowling issued a statement after Monday 's ruling , saying , `` I took no pleasure at all in bringing legal action and am delighted that this issue has been resolved favorably . '' Vander Ark did not immediately return calls from CNN on Monday . `` We are obviously disappointed with the result , and RDR is considering all of its options , including an appeal , '' attorney David S. Hammer said . Rowling , who said she has long planned to publish her own encyclopedia , and Warner Brothers Entertainment , producer of the Potter films , filed suit to stop RDR from publishing the book . Warner Brothers is owned by Time Warner , CNN 's parent company .
Web site operator wants to publish encyclopedia about Harry Potter novels . Judge awards `` Harry Potter '' author J.K. Rowling and publisher $ 6,750 in damages . Comment: