talkmagic.co.uk

I've come up with a design for a talking board. It's something I definitely want to get made, but have no idea how to go about getting something put together. Any advice on where to start? How can I help make sure I don't get ripped off?

Sounds very interesting? Why not send it to me, and I will look after it for you! .. But serious if you want to go the whole 9 yards, I suggest you do some research etc. And protect yourself etc??? These links may help you? My friend is doing a similar thing now...... You can register, by yourself online, an original document as an unpublished manuscript and subsequently, after published, you can copyright the published document. You can do this for £20 per registration. You don't have to pay anyone to do this for you if you are even mildly capable of typing, following instructions and using a computer online. To get the true, up-to-date facts on Copyrights I suggest you go to http://www.copyright.gov/ . You should know that any photos and sketches (these may best be converted to photo files before starting the process) may also be claimed within the simple online registration process if you are the originator and you wish to have them protected. Again, start with http://www.copyright.gov/" Hope this is helpful... And good luck..
Regards Garry.

Those links are for the U.S copyright office.
The UK Intellectual Property Office copyright page is here: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank
Also the copyright licensing agency: http://www.cla.co.uk/" target="_blank

Oops!! Thanks for correcting that Sir.

Thanks, guys. I was thinking more in terms of finding a carpenter, but I guess I should be considering IP too.

You can make your own, there are a ton of tutorials on interweb. A decent bit of wood, a router, and a 'burner type thing' used with stencils can create a unique looking board.

On the subject of copyright, the cheapest way to protect your IP is to send a letter containing all the details to your bank via special delivery. Ask them to hold the letter unopened and to date stamp its arrival. This way if anyone does something similar before you've had chance to register copyright you have a traceable and dateable time when you created it.

Firstly, copyright pertains to written material not a physical device. Secondly, the minute you put out a ton of cash to PATENT something you loose control; if it is patented the schematics are available to one and all that wants to look it over. Right now you can visit the U.S. Patent Office and find full diagrams of the FLYING illusion of Copperfield claim, they've been there all this time as are the diagrams for many other effects but, this is why so many designers DON'T take said steps but rather allow "witness" to establish who did what, when, and how. This comes through publishing details on the piece that go into a limited circulation be it sharing with a handful of trusted peers and noted historian as well as the "poor-man's patent" in which you basically place detailed information that's been notarized and recorded and left in the care of a lawyer that's on retainer. While this is not a strong means of protection, it does document the history, especially when coupled with "witness" statements or proof of earlier publication.

When it comes to making the prop itself I can only say that you want to work with an established & trusted maker. I don't know who is who in the UK or Europe but as a rule most everyone goes through Bill Smith, John Gaughan or Owens Magic when it comes to such things. . . given that this would be a smaller "hand prop" you might look at talking to Doug Malloy in that the big 3 prefer working on larger scaled projects.

Research your design however. Right now there are at least 5 electronic variations to the OUIJA that control the planchette in some manner, one of which casts a shadow that moves from letter to letter and at least 2 that I know of are using an X-Y type control to move the pointer. Unfortunately most of the simpler ideas are already published but you may want to start with Jim Magu's Talking Board eBook.

Hope this helps.

Mr_Grue wrote:but I guess I should be considering IP too.

In this world of magic I wouldn't bother, in a legal sense it's far too easy to get around and it seems it's only respect and a fear of a public "outing" that keeps it somewhat in check; best to just save the money.

Lawrence wrote:

Mr_Grue wrote:but I guess I should be considering IP too.

In this world of magic I wouldn't bother, in a legal sense it's far too easy to get around and it seems it's only respect and a fear of a public "outing" that keeps it somewhat in check; best to just save the money.

Just incorporate something that can't be copied.

Tomo wrote:

Lawrence wrote:

Mr_Grue wrote:but I guess I should be considering IP too.

In this world of magic I wouldn't bother, in a legal sense it's far too easy to get around and it seems it's only respect and a fear of a public "outing" that keeps it somewhat in check; best to just save the money.

Just incorporate something that can't be copied.

Ah, that I could, that I could!
Turns out R&S and knob jokes are easily copied

Grue,

I know a man who makes props for Film makers. Best bit is, he loves magic and makes his own gimmicks. I could give you his details if you haven't yet found someone!?

I've got someone looking over my design notes, so hopefully it's full steam ahead.

For the record, it's an ungimmicked affair that I mainly want for my own use.

If that doesn't work out, maybe try a sign writer. I've never used them, but http://www.brilliantsigns.co.uk/ look like they could sort something out for you.

It gladdens me that such companies exist!