HARRY POTTER - JK ROWLING WINS COURT BATTLE OVER PICTURE OF SON

JK ROWLING WINS COURT BATTLE OVER PICTURE OF SON

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has won a legal battle banning the publication of a picture taken of her son when he was 18 months old.

Judge Sir Anthony Clare declared today that: "If a child of parents who are not in the public eye could reasonably expect not to have photographs of him published in the media, so too should the child of a famous parent.

"In our opinion, it is at least arguable that a child of 'ordinary' parents could reasonably expect that the press would not target him and publish photographs of him."

Rowling brought the legal action against the photo agency Big Pictures under her real name, Joanne Murray, with her husband Dr Neil Murray on behalf of their son David, now 5 years old; the Press Association reports.

The couple released a statement following the ruling saying: "We understand and accept that with the success of Harry Potter there will be a measure of legitimate media and public interest in Jo's professional activities and appearances.

"However, we have striven to give our children a normal family life outside the media spotlight.

"We are immensely grateful to the court for giving our children protection from covert, unauthorised photography; this ruling will make an immediate and material difference to their lives."

The photo in question, taken on November 2004, showed the author and her son on the streets of Edinburgh, according to the BBC.