talkmagic.co.uk

I see in the discussion forum area "Techniques" it says "Discuss any technical issues, such as sleights or improvements you have made to an effect. Please be careful not to reveal any copyright information here." What kind of magic techniques are copyrighted? For example I like the twisting arm illusion. Is this copyrighted and I can not use it commercially?

Moderator, I see that this is more likely suitable for the miscellaneous section. Please move if appropriate.

When you purchase an effect you also have the rights to perform it in public. What it means in the forum is that we cannot give away information about how copyrighted effects are done. For example you could not post the explanation for a commercial effect such as PK touches.

I see that many popular street magic performances are available to buy from numerous sites; levitation and twisting arms for example. Does this make them copyrighted and not for discussion disclosure? Do I have to purchase these items to perform or otherwise take commercial advantage? How does one know if something is copyrighted?

Jet Star wrote:I see that many popular street magic performances are available to buy from numerous sites; levitation and twisting arms for example. Does this make them copyrighted and not for discussion disclosure? Do I have to purchase these items to perform or otherwise take commercial advantage? How does one know if something is copyrighted?

It's a question of not revealing secrets, not copyright. If you get something for free, you're not likely to respect its secrecy and keep it to yourself, are you? Easy come, easy go as they say, but magic relies on secrets.

I understand your point. But to be more specific to law, let's us an example: I perform an illusion that I learned from a fellow magician, even discuss openly how it is performed with others. I have made no monetary payment to anyone. Does anyone have a legal claim against me?

Jet Star wrote:I understand your point. But to be more specific to law, let's us an example: I perform an illusion that I learned from a fellow magician, even discuss openly how it is performed with others. I have made no monetary payment to anyone. Does anyone have a legal claim against me?

No, but if you "discuss openly how it is performed with others", then with all due respect, you're a complete fool.

Thank you and your point is well made. Openly with others to improve, teach and learn. As I believe this web site is dedicated.

Jet Star wrote:Thank you and your point is well made. Openly with others to improve, teach and learn. As I believe this web site is dedicated.

No, I'm afraid not. That's not the point of this place. No disclosure, either in the public or members only area, is permissible here. The reason is simple; exposure kills magic, just like running into a movie theatre and shouting the ending kills a film, or shouting out the punchline kills a joke.

Very True, i agree with that

Ok. Good to know and agreed. I have a small club where we share, teach, perform to improve.

Jet Star wrote:Ok. Good to know and agreed. I have a small club where we share, teach, perform to improve.

Fair enough. I bet you can't perform the same effect for them and get that certain reaction that'll send you to bed with a secret smile after you've told them how it's done, though. I still do the jumping matches effect I learned as an 11 year old. I'm 40 now and it still drives people crazy and shocks women at parties when the match jumps into their cleavage.

There's real value in this stuff. I think it's worth protecting, but as I say, fair enough.

True. Although it begs the question: how did you learn that trick?

You learn by buying books, DVDs and the effects themselves.

Well, is it ok for me to take every performance I know and put it on the internet for people to buy? Not protecting the secrets that way, unless you are going to say "if you have copyright, it's your priviledge". Which brings me back to the original question. Also, it looks like conflicting reasoning to say protect secrecy, but it's ok to sell.