London - Harry Potter author JK Rowling Wednesday won a legal battle to protect her children from media intrusion even though she admitted that the worldwide success of her books prompted a "measure of legitimate media and public interest."Rowling, 42, had claimed that the publication of a photograph in 2004 of her youngest son, David, infringed his right to privacy.
The writer brought the case against photo agency Big Pictures. The Sunday Express newspaper, which published the photograph of her pushing then 18-month-old David in a buggy, has already settled a claim with her.
The case went to the Court of Appeal after Rowling lost an action at a lower court last year.
Rowling, and her husband Neil Murray, said: "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," the statement said.
Rowling has two children with Murray, David, now 5, and Mackenzie Jean, aged 3. She has a teenage daughter, Jessica, from a previous relationship. Jessica was born in 1993.
"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 couple's statement said.
