Stolen magic: Warner Bros are investigating how Harry Potter's latest outing came to be online
An inquiry has been launched after footage from the new Harry Potter film, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1, was leaked online.
Warner Bros, who produces the blockbuster franchise, has confirmed that it is investigating how 36 minutes of the film, which is released in cinemas on Friday, found its way on to the Internet on Tuesday night.
The studio said in a statement that they were working to remove all copies of the footage which was made available via file sharing sites.
'A portion of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1' was stolen and illegally posted on the internet,' the company said.
'This constitutes a serious breach of copyright violation and theft of Warner Bros. property. We are working actively to restrict and/or remove copies that may be available.
'Also, we are vigorously investigating this matter and will prosecute those involved to the full extent of the law.'
Not a stunt: industry insiders have dismissed claims the leak was a deliberate ploy to gain publicity
Industry insiders have dismissed suggestions that the leak may have been a deliberate tactic in order to generate more media coverage for Potter's latest adventure.
'It's not as if the film needs more publicity,' one source told the Mirror. It is not the first time that this has happened to a blockbuster film ahead of its release date.
The magic's back: the stars of the Harry Potter franchise attended the world premiere in London last week
In 2009, a full-length copy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine was leaked on to the Internet a month before it was due in cinemas.
However, it made no difference to the success of the film, which made nearly $90m in the US alone in its first weekend on release.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part I is the penultimate screen outing for JK Rowling's boy wizard, played by Daniel Radcliffe.
It is based on the first half of the final book in the best-selling series, with part 2 - which brings the saga to a close - due for cinema release next summer.
The film had its world premiere in London last week, with massive crowds turning out to catch a glimpse of Radcliffe, and co-stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson on the red carpet.
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