JK Rowling Loses Legal Battle Over Photograph of Son  8/8/07

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has lost a battle in London's High Court to ban the publication of a picture of her son.

Rowling's son David was photographed at the age of 20 months in Edinburgh, Scotland with the novelist - and the picture was printed by British newspaper the Sunday Express.

Rowling claimed the child's right to privacy was infringed and sued the newspaper and the agency that provided the picture, in the attempt to prevent future publication.

But the judge insisted on Tuesday (7Aug07) that the law did not provide celebrities with "a press-free zone for their children in respect of absolutely everything they choose to do".

In a statement Rowling and her husband Neil Murray said they were, "Disappointed by the judgment, which seems to have misunderstood our claim.

"Our aim has only been to protect our children from press intrusion during their childhood.

"We see no legitimate reason why, as in this case, David, who was less than two years of age at the time, should have his photograph taken and then published in the press.

"We take his, and that of his siblings, privacy and safety very seriously."

Rowling revealed she plans to appeal.