It was supposed to be what a fan described as a "loving homage" to his hero, author JRR Tolkien, and to "The Lord of the Rings," which he called "one of the most defining experiences of his life." A judge had another view. The fan, Demetrious Polychron, violated copyright protections this year when he wrote and published a sequel to the epic "Rings" series, US district Judge Stephen V Wilson of the Central District of California ruled last week. Judge Wilson found "direct evidence of copying" and barred Polychron from further distributing the book or series.