The book in question is Goblet Of Fire. More details on the mighty Mugglenet.

www.mugglenet.com/

plagiarism is a complex area of the law.

I once was about to sue a writer of an award winning book after I discovered whole passages I had written, had been included.

When I discovered it was by pure accident and at no fault of the writer I decided not to go ahead lest his reputation be tarnished. Which is just as well as he has since risen to great heights.

Might crop up again as I'm now involved in a film and book project based on the same material.

I sent an opening scene to the producer of a well known TV series, as a suggestion of a way to get around a problem. I heard nothing back at all, but when the new series started I sat amazed to see the opening scene unfold exactly as I had written it.

I was a bit inexperienced back then and so had not kept any proof that it was my idea. I also had to consider that maybe, coincidentally, someone else had already thought of it, or maybe my idea had been dismissed but then plucked, unintentionally, out of the producer's subconscious.

I decided to look on the positive side that at least my idea was accepted, even if it wasn't accepted as my idea.

But I do now always keep a record.

I got into heavy negotiation with Peter Finch's son Charles and Hollywood over film rights to my novel Bible Two.

Fed up by the cocaine fuelled insanity I dropped out.

A year later the movie Mannequin came out, stealing 85% of the plot and even, cheekily, using the name of my protagonist (Jonathan) as the name of the lead character in the film.

Lawyers said I'd win a lawsuit but it would cost me a fortune and "creative accounting" about profits would mean I won nothing.

So I didn't bother.