The Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) is a non-profit organisation run mainly by fans of the Harry Potter books that campaigns for "equality, human rights, and literacy".
One of the group's longest-running campaigns has focused on the production of the Harry Potter-branded chocolate merchandise sold in official Potter outlets such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and the Harry Potter Studio tour in Leavesden, Herts.
HPA director Andrew Slack and group member Lisa Valdez first learned in 2008 that Warner Bros, which owns the rights to Harry Potter, was using chocolate that was not certified Fairtrade.
Because of this, it was possible that child slaves could have been used in the production of Harry Potter chocolate.
In 2010, the HPA launched a campaign entitled Not in Harry's Name to get Warner Bros to commit to sourcing 100% Fairtrade- or UTZ-certified cocoa for Harry Potter merchandise.
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The campaign, which counted The Fault in Their Stars author John Green among its supporters, staged fan-based flashmobs and organised petitions to keep pressure on Warner Bros.
"If Harry Potter [as a franchise] were to be in alignment with the values of Harry Potter [himself], it could be a real symbolic and coherent victory," Andrew Slack told the Washington Post.
"[Harry Potter] represents righteousness, nobility, love, so much beauty and a place of safety that people go to, and moral authority. If the Harry Potter brand were to move to something like Fairtrade, it would be making a statement that not only is the Harry Potter brand a cut above the rest but that [other franchises] have to catch up to it."
The group also joined forces with anti-slavery organisation Walk Free and even produced its own ethically sound version of Harry Potter Chocolate Frogs to make its point.
Crucially, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling gave her support to the campaign, and last June asked Warner Bros to conduct a detailed review of its cocoa-sourcing by the end of the year.
Then, in December, Warner Bros wrote to the HPA to say that, by the end of 2015, "all Harry Potter chocolate products sold at Warner Bros outlets and through our licensed partners will be 100% UTZ- or Fairtrade-certified".
The letter reads:
On behalf of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros., we are pleased to update you on important steps Warner Bros. plans to take with regard to the cocoa used in Harry Potter chocolate products, which build on WB's existing ethical sourcing guidelines.
By the end of 2015, and sooner when possible, all Harry Potter chocolate products sold at Warner Bros outlets and through our licensed partners will be 100 percent-Utz or Fairtrade certified. We are working closely with our suppliers and partners to achieve this.
Thank you for your partnership throughout our discussions on this important issue. We value and appreciate the collective voice of the Harry Potter Alliance members, and Harry Potter fans all over the world, and their enthusiasm and love for the world of Harry Potter.
We would be very grateful if you are sharing this message to share it in its entirety.
J.K. Rowling's publicist, Mark Hutchinson, told the Washington Post about the author's reaction to the victory:
I can confirm that J.K. Rowling is delighted that Warner Bros. and Universal are taking positive steps to source only certified cocoa for Harry Potter chocolate.
Proof, if it were still needed, that Harry Potter fans are the greatest in the world.
Warner Bros has confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden will be using Fairtrade-certified cocoa, saying:
The attached letter from Warner Bros to the Harry Potter Alliance clarifies the position and serves as our statement. For your background, the "all" means the UK too.