Fourteen copies of the latest Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" were inadvertently sold before it's intended release on Saturday. An ambitious grocery store clerk in British Columbia stocked the books on the shelf a few days too early. Now the customers who bought the book are being forced into silence by the Canadian government.

[B.C. Supreme Court] Justice Kristi Gill last Saturday ordered customers not to talk about the book, copy it, sell it or even read it before it is officially released at 12:01 a.m. July 16.

The order also compels them to return the novel to the publisher, Raincoast Book Distribution Ltd., until the official release. At that time it will be returned to them.

Now, being a freedom loving American, I would encourage the Canuckers to thumb their nose at the court. I'm not advocating copyright infringement, but selling the book or even reading it shouldn't be considered a crime.

At least the publisher is taking a more capitalistic approach:

As an added incentive, Raincoast will include Rowling's autograph and a gift pack.