Stop-motion spell: Harry Potter parties face restrictions

BOSTON -- It's become a tradition -- huge "Harry Potter parties" for each new book release. But with barely a week to go, the people behind the craze are making changes that could spell trouble for fans.

"I'm really excited," said Harry Potter fanatic Laura Greenly. "I've been waiting for a long time."

She's such a fan, Amazon.com has named her a correspondent on a future Harry Potter show. Laura and other fans will hit the release parties that have almost become like red carpet celebrity events.

Crowds of people pack in bookstores dressed up in costume and read Harry Potter's latest journey at Hogwarts.

But the parties have also become huge moneymakers for outside corporations. Now Warner Brothers -- which owns the rights to the movie -- and author J.K. Rowling have created a spell putting a stop to that.

Any profits made during a "Harry Potter" party can only go to helping a local charity. Stores are not allowed to cash in by selling admission tickets to the event.

No sponsors or any type of advertising for commercial companies are allowed. And all promotional literature about the party must say somewhere that Warner Brothers and J.K. Rowling are not responsible for the event.

Some New England bookstores are livid, saying the rules are too strict.

But Scholastic Books tells 7 News, "The reason for the guidelines is to keep the focus on the books and the reading. Harry Potter releases offer a great opportunity to get kids and the whole family excited about and talking about books."

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