Added:4.05.02 - Microsoft's OEM agreements have a positive side after all, apparently. In antitrust trial testimony AOL VP John Borthwick reveals that they saved us from several varieties of computers from hell, including a nightmarish-sounding "Harry Potter PC." That of course isn't quite how he put it. Borthwick was arguing infavour of the States' proposal that OEMs be allowed to license and customise versions of Windows. This, he said, would facilitate increased diversity in the PC market, spawning a Lego computer for kids (he showed the court a prototype), sports PCs and music PCs for students. [Full Story]

Added:4.05.02 - Harry Potter and Britney Spears are among the nominees for this year's US Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. The boy wizard is up for three awards while Britney is nominated in two categories. The Harry Potter series is nominated for the Favourite Book award, the film is up for Favourite Movie, and the computer game is also nominated. [Full Story]

Added:4.04.02 - Harry Potter star Fiona Shaw is to launch the National Theatre's new performance space. She will perform in the stage adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's novelT he Powerbook. Shaw plays Aunt Petunia in the Harry Potter films.[Full Story]

Added:4.04.02 - Manufacturers could design 'Harry Potter' style computers for children or other specialized users restrictions are imposed on Microsoft. AOL has revealed the plans while testifying at penalty hearings in the Microsoft antitrust case. PC makers want to create a "Harry Potter" computer with customised graphics and programs, and a computer based on AOL services. [Full Story]

Added:3.25.02 - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone failed to win any awards at this year's Oscars. It was nominated for three awards: Best Music (Score), Costume Design and Art Direction. However, Daniel Radcliffe did appear in a pre-recorded film talking about his favourite film. [Full Story]

Added:3.21.02 - Harry Potter could find himself magically disappearing from the library shelves at Springfield Public Schools. That’s because someone has filed a complaint with the district asking that the books be removed because of content involving witchcraft. The district won’t reveal the name of the complainant or whether the person is a parent. But the district has a procedure in place to deal with such complaints and intends to follow it. [Full Story]

Added:3.20.02 - Bloomsbury says the Harry Potter phenomenon is behind a sharp jump in profits but denies the company is dependent on the schoolboy wizard. Pre-tax profits for 2001 surged to £9.3 million, 62% up on the year, while sales rose 21% to £61million. But chief executive Nigel Newton has told Ananova that Harry Potter's success has been the high point of a strong all-round performance. [Full Story]

Added:3.20.02 - Bloomsbury Publishing has seen its pre-tax profits rise by 62.5% with Harry Potter's help. But it's remaining silent over the publication date of JK Rowling's next book, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. Bloomsbury's annual pre-tax profit - before goodwill and amortisation- was £9.35 million. [Full Story]

Added:3.15.02 - Analysts are hoping Bloomsbury will announce a release date for the fifth book in the Harry Potter septet next Wednesday. They've predicted a mid-summer arrival for the latest instalment of the schoolboy wizard's adventures. Full-year pre-tax profits are expected to hit £9.25million, up from £5.46million last time.[Full Story]

Added:3.14.02 - A drama teacher who developed Harry Potter's Quidditch for a games field has won the right to recreate the game around the world. Mid Wales teacher Elaine Curry dreamed up a down-to-earth version of the game played on broomsticks. Quidditch took Newtown High School, in Powys, by storm as hundreds ofp upils signed up to play in an in-school league.[Full Story]

Added:3.14.02 - More than 1,000 school children were given a magical surprise when theyreceived a message from Harry Potter's pet owl, Hedwig. And Manchester United goalkeeper Raymond van der Gouw needed to showa safe pair of hands when the schoolboy wizard's pet cast a spell over his club's home of Old Trafford. Children from across Manchester gathered at the Theatre of Dreams to launch a charity book of poems based on the Beautiful Game.[Full Story]

Added:3.12.02 - Harry Potter has worked his magic for Argonaut Games, allowing the company to report an interim profit. Sales of a game featuring the schoolboy wizard helped it record a £4million pre-tax profit. This compares with a £1.6 million loss previously. [Full Story]