Harry Potter creator JK Rowling has “terminated” her association with the literary agent who helped to launch her first book on the boy wizard.
Ms Rowling, one of the richest women in the world, had worked with Christopher Little since he found a publisher for her first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in August 1996.
The books have sold more than 400 million copies and been translated into 67 languages.
A statement issued by StonehillSalt PR on behalf of Ms Rowling said: “We can confirm that JK Rowling has terminated her association with the Christopher Little Literary Agency.
“This was a painful decision, especially as Ms Rowling had actively sought a different outcome for some weeks. However, it was not taken without good reason and it finally became unavoidable.”
A spokesman for Ms Rowling said there was no comment regarding reports of potential legal action from Christopher Little.
In the 2011 Sunday Times Rich List, published in May, Ms Rowling was ranked 142nd and worth £530 million up from £519 million in the 2010 list.
Last month Ms Rowling revealed previously unpublished Harry Potter material would be released on a new website in a move she described as a “give-back” to her millions of fans.
Speaking at a press conference at the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington, central London, Ms Rowling said the Pottermore site was a place for fans to “share” the books.
Fans will be able to work their way through the books and follow Harry to Hogwarts.
They will be sorted into one of the school’s rival houses and become student wizards themselves by casting spells and mixing potions.
The interactive website, which includes elements of social networking and computer games, allows fans to access material cut from the original books and read new insights from the author along the way.
Potter fans could register for an online challenge that goes live on the website on July 31.
The website, which includes an online store where fans can buy eBooks and digital audio books, will be open to all in October.