• by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, July 19, 2007

Could J.K. Rowling and her publisher have really believed that the eagerly awaited final book in the Harry Potter series would remain under wraps until its official release at 12:01 Saturday morning?

Astonishingly, the answer seems to be yes, considering the purported millions of dollars spent for security devoted to keeping the book secret, not to mention Rowling's and her publisher's outraged response to leaks.

This week, the book appeared on the Web, after an online retailer sent some copies to customers before the official release date. At least one customer appears to have photographed each page and posted them online. Meanwhile, The New York Times and Baltimore Sun obtained copies of the books and posted reviews.

At least one lawsuit has already ensued, not to mention indignant responses by Rowling and her publisher. While litigation might have been inevitable, Rowling and her company's apparent surprise at the security breach shows an astonishing disconnect from today's media world.

What anticipated movie, TV show or record release doesn't surface on the Web in advance of its official debut these days? Late last month, Michael Moore's "Sicko" appeared online before the movie's official release date, prompting the studio's decision to accelerate the launch, and earlier this year, clips from "24" could be found online before the program aired on TV, to name just two examples.

Here, the author and publisher's outrage has extended to the Sun and Times, for having published reviews. But, realistically, reviews tend to be published before many fans -- probably most - - have the chance to read the book, see the movie, or hear the record, for themselves. Even had the reviews been held until this weekend, they would still have been printed before many readers had the chance to finish the book.

What's more, even if no one had gotten hold of the book until 12:01 a.m. Saturday, surely someone would have posted the ending online by 12:02 a.m.

Ten years ago, when "Harry Potter" made its debut, Rowling and her publisher might have been able to keep the book stashed away until an official unveiling. Today? Not a chance.