talkmagic.co.uk

I have Komedy Kapers that I bought about 30 years ago. I never did the routine and have since lost the instructions. Can anyone suggest where I might purchase, beg, borrow or steal a copy?

jakeg wrote:or steal a copy?

Do you hear that? That's the tempest a-brewin'.

Hmmm...first post, no introduction, and a little poorly-worded/contentious

When joining any new Forum, it's always best to read the rules before posting

I seem to recall that magicbooksbypost.co.uk obtained the rights to all of Edwin's MS, though, so it wouldn't hurt to check with them.

As an aside, this forum doesn't condone sharing, copying or 'borrowing' of materials, although we'll always be happy to try to help point you in the right direction to make a legit purchase

The phrasing might just be unfortunate, beg, steal or borrow (as per the New Seekers!) seems to run together like fish and chips, Starsky and Hutch, Ellusionist and Hype.

I'm sure if someone here has that item they'd be able to offer a hint or two but as mentioned, it would be unethical to suggest copying.

Thank you Mandrake. 'Beg, borrow or steal' is commonly used here to mean I really want to get hold of this. It should not be taken literally.
Here's a question: If a trick is off the market and no longer offered for sale, do you feel that it is still unethical to copy the instructions?

You'd have to be quite sure that it was really off the market and not just in between distributors. Some effects are only licensed to be sold for a certain period of time then new distribution arrangements are negotiated - there can be quite a time gap sometimes. Also, the rights to an item may have passed on after the death of the creator but the estate is still being sorted out. In general it's best to err on the side of caution.

Well...there's numerous books, cd's, DVD's that have long-since been deleted or made-unavailable, is it okay for us all to download them or copy them from other sources?

The laws are usually pretty clear - if you haven't bought it (even if it's no longer on general release), then it's illegal to copy it.

End of.

jakeg wrote:If a trick is off the market and no longer offered for sale, do you feel that it is still unethical to copy the instructions?

Most definitely yes. Of course it is unethical.

Apart from anything else, there may be reasons for short runs. To make the product more exclusive for example.

I don't think you could have purchased Komical Kapers 30 years ago. Edwin put it on the market in September 1991.See pages 36 and 37 in his Edwin's Magic Arts Catalogue Number 1. Red cover.
He did put out the heavier board version called Funny Fotos in the 7o's. I bought this but later remade it, a few months later, with roll ups, in similar style to the 1991 version. Mine looked like Korn Silks on roll up rods.
The original Funny Fotos, can be purchased from David Charles, Hocus Pocus Magic in Arnold, Notts. It is now made in good card stock rather than the very heavy board like material Edwin used,which weighed a ton and only folded in half making it flat & bulky as well. It more than equalled the weight of the entire Act. The Hocus Pocus version I've seen recently and it folds twice, thus reducing the size.

You will find Funny Fotos well detailed, with illustrations,( pages 107 to 116 in Edwin's book, A Host Of Surprises.( published 1990) There is a photo of Edwin holding 'the Camera' and another of Willy The Clown, USA, performing it.
Allen Tipton

Now I don't know whether I have komedy Kapers or Funny Fotos. I described the equipment on another forum and asked if anyone knew what it is. I was told that it's Komedy Kapers. What I have are 4 roll up wands and 4 matching cards and a double backed card. It's entirely possible that I bought it in the 90's. I can't imagine that I was looking to add to the act that late, but it is possible.

For the length of time that a copyright exists on any given piece, the US Copyright office states:

The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term will vary depending on several factors.

International copyright law, including UK copyright law, follows very closely to the US copyright laws (or vice-versa).

Further information on copyright can be found at the US Copyright Office on the web:

http://www.copyright.gov/

Mike.

Komical Kapers was the roll up wands.+ replicas of the pictures on them, on 4 large cards and an additiona; blank card . The wands were made from 'untearable' material.

Allen Tipton