INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Harry Potter books have been made available for purchase as audio downloads through Apple's iTunes website, as individual books or the entire set.

The online sale of the six books, including the new 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince', was agreed by author JK Rowling in an attempt to stop online piracy. The move followed reports from Harry Potter fans that they had seen bootleg editions online, though illegal sales are understood to be fairly low.

Previously Rowling had only allowed the books to be released on paper and in traditional audio formats, though fans have asked for online versions for a while. Rowling has expressed concerns on her website about being targeted by online pirates and said this concern prompted her to permit online sales via iTunes.

Rowling also said that Potter merchandise with fake autographs has been listed for sale on auction site eBay and claimed that eBay had not taken responsibility for the bootleg items. eBay said that Rowling is included in a copyright protection scheme and listings violating copyright are removed as soon as they are reported.

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