KEY POINTS:
Copies of the final Harry Potter book have already been shipped to customers by one US online retailer and purported copies of the novel have flooded the internet.
People started receiving copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Tuesday, but the number of copies shipped only made up "around one one-hundredth of one per cent" of the 12 million copies due to go on sale.
Have you been tempted to read leaked copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows online? What do you think should happen at the end? Here is a selection of Your Views:
Manda (Queensland, Australia)
I have been totally tempted to read the spoilers. I have been waiting nearly 7 years to find out what happens! I hate that the only part that people seem to be leaking is the last chapter. It shows they aren't fans and have a total disregard for the readers who want to book to be a spoiler free surprise.
Ms Auckland
No, because I won't be reading Harry Potter in the first place. However, breach of copyright is nevertheless theft, so those who do have sneak previews online are nothing but common scumbag thieves.
Ash
Perhaps I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't care if someone reads the new Harry Potter book before Saturday. I'm thrilled for Ms Rowling's success, but I'm tired of reading about her hyperventilating over such things as book reviews that come out 3 days before the book. Please!
Dolly
I have never read a Harry Potter book, however in the knowledge of how many (mainly) youthful fans there are waiting for this final instalment, I find it awful that so many people are trying to spoil this small bit of excitement for them. In this internet age there are so few things to anticipate, it is great that young people have the opportunity to actually wait for something! Those who want to spoil things by revealing information (including those two newspapers which have printed early reviews) are obviously just unpleasant people with little joy in their lives.
Rein
I would buy the real book. The poor and hard working writers need every cent of their work.
Marc Geddes
I've been doing my homework on this and I don't think there are any advance copies of the real book out there on the net. The really convincing looking supposed 'copy' which appeared on BitTorrent has been definitely identified as a fake. The text was traced back to a piece of fan fiction which had previously appeared on-line.
I think spoilers might reduce the enjoyment of the story somewhat but not ruin it. A good story is still a good read whether you know what happens or not.
S Mohanakrishnan
What a big drama about a fictional character? But in the age of Bush, may be Harry and Voldemart are more welcome. Anyway here is my 2 cents worth of prediction about the end. I believe that Hagrid and Snape both will die and Cho is also seriously affected in her head, leaving the way for Harry and Ginny Weasley to come together. Voldemart is vanquished with the miracle performed by Hermione for Harry. She of course joins Ron and they live happily ever after. Any takers to add on more or different guesses?
Bruce
I'm very tempted to, but I won't. In saying that, when I get a copy, I will flick to the end and speed read to see how it all plays out. The only reason why I'll do this is so that no one else gets to tell me/spoils the end for me. Given the hype, I just know someone is going to spill the beans even if its overhearing someone on the street.
Richard
Was it leaked? I don't think so, since people have been getting the book since Tuesday due to a company in the states sending it out too soon, it was more than likely one of the people that got it put it online. Who cares if people download it or not it does not affect sales. Those who download it are more than likely never going to purchase it, so no sales are lost on them. It is a company myth that people downloading it cost money, because people into warez would never purchase what they download to start with. It's just a book, within an hour after it is official on sale it will be scanned and all over the net for downloading. But there is a part of me that wonders if this leak is just the publisher as it is getting the book world wide press attention, couldn't of paid for better publicity.
Gavin
No, I wouldn't read the fakes, just the genuine ones. Coz there may be other inserts, and plus the author is such a great writer and will get her to create more fantastic novels. Karma will bite on the bums of the one's who will get the illegal/copied ones.
Justin (Melbourne)
I, like many others, am looking forward to the final Harry Potter book. It's just amazing how selfish people are to put copies on the web - it's shows how empty lives people lead to take away the enjoyment of others. But even if you could read it from the web, why would you? Does anyone prefer to watch a poor copy of Star Wars on a dodgy computer rather than a big screen cinematic experience?
De-Scribe (Wellington)
With any story revolving around a compelling protagonist, and the books of which appear over the course of a decade, there will be those who post spoilers/ misinformation and the like. Much suspense has been built up in Book 6, The Half-Blood Prince. Fears for the protagonist's life, wild guesses as to the identities, loyalties, and ultimate fates are all normal. Yes, some will use illicit methods to obtain information, and others will make things up. Some people are probably running book on the outcome. Most guess, and some will take any dram of information/misinformation just to soothe the increasing suspense.
One blog, http://canisalpha.blogspot.com, ventures opinions. Some of them are meant to lighten up the intensity surrounding the release of the book. The author, with whom I have been in touch, happily admits the ten points to be pure guesswork. Web misinformation will be (dis)proven at the release of the book. And no matter how much of it's out there, Rowling undercuts her own great gift at surprising everyone by worrying about it.
DJ Surge-N
I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and in addition to the vast amount of fans around the globe, I have been waiting for this ending for a decade. For people to go and publish copyrighted material on the net is first, and foremost, an incredible selfish action to undertake not to mention illegal (which is quite obvious). Personally I think it's just extremely unfair for all other fans everywhere for such a long-awaited book to be spoiled and made almost meaningless to them. We all are preserving this excitement for the 21st, we don't want it to be spoiled after this time. It would be extremely disappointing.
CJ (Auckland)
Yeah, I've downloaded it, and I'm enjoying reading it. Still, it's not an ideal way to read it, and I'll still go and buy it first thing Saturday. Don't really see what the big deal is, and the media companies have yet to provide any real evidence that a pirated copy of something (be it book, CD, or movie) automatically translates into a lost sale.
Ned
A true Harry Potter fan would never dream of reading leaked documents out of respect for the author. Reading leaked information on such a highly guarded secret is paramount to making illegal copies of music and movies.
Simon (Auckland)
I'm not tempted. It's the end of a journey. Must savour the scenery!
Dominique (West Auckland)
I haven't been tempted at all to read anything other than an original copy of deathly hallows when it is released. I think it's really twisted that some people are just out there to ruin other peoples fun. I've been looking forward to this book for a very long time and I absolutely refuse to let anyone spoil it for me.
Jo
Never. This is the last time I can enjoy the anticipation of a new Harry Potter book. I can't wait to read the book but on the other hand will feel sad once I have done so, as it will really be over then.
