You actually think so? You believe that the print version of the HPL will hurt sales of Rowling's book -- i.e., that there are people who'll choose the print HPL over her upcoming book (and will not buy just her book or both)? As I said, I'd be surprised if you offered up even one such customer. (And why wouldn't that customer find the Web HPL -- of which Rowling approves -- a substitute?)

I actually think that could be the case. Not everyone who is a Harry Potter fan is Internet-savvy, and not everyone who buys presents and gifts for a Potter fan is Harry Potter-savvy. Picture a grandmother who knows her grandchild likes Harry Potter. She sees a book called "The Harry Potter Lexicon," and buys it. It looks official. It doesn't say unofficial anywhere. Why not? And when JKR's official book comes out months or years later, she doesn't buy it, because little Joanie already has a Harry Potter encyclopedia. People make a lot of money on consumer confusion-- they always have. The second book of Don Quixote was only written because Cerevantes was sick of people selling copies they passed off as his work (copyright law was pretty much nonexistent back then).

And even so: That's not the point. Unless the Lexicon takes the essays and criticism on the web-- most of which is the work of other authors, not Steve V.-- there is little to no original material in the book. Google's work isn't original either, but-- as others have said-- Google serves as a directory, it's not being sold as "The Google Guide to Farhad Manjoo."

IP laws in this country are crying out for reform. But this isn't the test case you've apparently been dreaming of, no matter how much you might want it to be.

I generally think Brightstar is a vitriol-filled, nasty troll, but at least he has the courage to stand behind his statements. The multiple attempts to derail the conversation and smear the commenters by anons are, as others have said, not worth addressing.

You people have no dignity and apparently little shame.

Another excellent piece. I'll very much miss your writing, but am glad you're doing something you're so passionate about. If Hillary is not the nominee, I hope you'll throw your considerable rhetorical weight behind whoever the Democrats do choose.

Thank you for all the good work you've done as a critic of this imperial administration.

How many people are currently in jail in America for perjury?

Well, we know Scooter Libby isn't.

-- I've had a Wii since August, played four games on it and have yet to need a memory card. I bought my second controller with a game (WiiPlay), and it was well worth the combined money. (Plus, IIRC, none of the third-gen consoles come with a second controller anyway.)

-- BUY GAMES USED. Seriously, you'll save a ton.

-- We stalked our local GameStop to get our Wii; they do get some in stores, and if you talk to the manager some will even call you if something's in (no, I am not a shill for GameStop, promise).

--I disagree that game sales are unimportant-- maybe it's just the rankings you're referring to?-- but sales ultimately effect what kinds of games get developed and offered.

$400 for something you can't even load your 'own' content on (like an iPod, where you can rip your own CDs)? It seems crazy, and $9.99 for a book seems crazier still (though I haven't bought a new, full-price hardcover in years). It seems like a good choice for long flights and frequent travelers, but how many book buyers really fall into that category?

And on top of all that, it really is ugly. There are two reasons that carrying an ugly book around is better than carrying an ugly electronic device around. The first is that everyone knows what a book is. If you're carrying an ugly book on the subway, at least people know you're reading. The second-- and more important-- is that when you're done reading that ugly book, you put it away and get a new book. The Kindle's ugly ass will stay with you as long as you own the device, for book after book after book.

It is so vital to realize the direct connection between Hussein's war journalism and the lawless detention of him by the U.S. military for almost two years.

The crime was actually covering the war, and having the temerity to garner a Pulitzer for it.

That's exactly it-- and that he was publishing content that directly contradicted the military's claim. I wonder if violence really has going down in Iraq after all.

Your experience, Carol, was. What state was this in, and have their policies changed? As an individual with several adopted family members, I have a stake in encouraging adoption, and I'm always broken-hearted when people dismiss and belittle that choice-- especially for 11-year-old girls! Oy.

I had read praise for this movie before, but your words made this movie become essential viewing. A wonderful piece.

Paul Krugman was on Vermont Public Radio this morning talking about the dangers of such sloppy journalism while promoting his book. Link's at my name.

Nice work, Glenn. I wonder if the Guiliani story will impact the Christian conservatives who were on the fence about him-- his affair was big news in New York, but I'm not sure the heartland knew or cared much about it before now.