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Question - at what point does a routine using old techniques become new enough to be marketable?

I've noticed, especially in Mentalism, that there are some routines/tricks for sale that use techniques and methods that are found in books like 13 Steps and PMM. The method is the same, it's merely the plot and patter that's different.

So it got me thinking - where's the line? At what point are you paying for someone's interpretation instead of the core method?

It's just marketing.

For example with 13 Steps.

No-one is going to put out a routine, and say, 'if you prefer, this is also round in 13 Steps'

They just market it as new, you buy it, and later find out you've been duped - or have you? because if you passed it by in 13 Steps the first time, maybe you would have missed it a second time too. The new routine, might help you to see the potential of the effect.

I'm not too bothered about people using old methods if they're re-exploring and building on the original work. It's often better to combine an established idea with new thinking to create something that pushes the art along than it is to try to create something completely new. What is a pain is what Ellusionist were doing a few years ago - repackaging simple effects from old books and selling them to kids who wouldn't have known better for lots of money on the back of flashy videos.

I agree with Tomo that repackaging can be annoying, with time you learn to spot the industry buzz words and decode the blurbs. Saying that several of my favourite effects have been reworkings of old ideas. A lot of my favourite Docc Hilford material is direct from old sources, sometimes 13 steps. However he has added layers and detail to the effects. He also tends to credit all the previous versions allowing you to go and research previous versions. Outlaw effects again has taken old methods and presented them in very nice ways. You aren't just paying for an old method you pay for a nice prop. I think you probably find the worst examples within card magic where routines are repackaged for the younger magicians entering the craft.

That said if anyone wants the secret of how to stop people being able to jump over a pencil on the floor without touching it please send £100 to Jobashaconsyou@hotmail.com