Letter from IBM International President David SandyInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

IBM International President, David Sandy

Dear IBM Ring Contact,

I am writing to you with some information I’d like you to consider sharing with your Ring members. I know this is lengthy, but I really believe the content is quite important.

As you know, there is an ever-growing concern within our industry dealing with ethics in magic. Specifically, I am referring to the act of stealing another inventor’s intellectual property and building/manufacturing these tricks and illusions for resale. This unethical practice seems to have become more popular than ever before. Perhaps, in part, because our own industry has not policed itself very well… or perhaps because many have felt there couldn’t be anything done to stop this practice… or perhaps, and unfortunately, some people just don’t care. This does not change the fact that this behavior is wrong and unethical.

Now, of course, I realize that it isn’t all “black & white”. There are some “gray areas” that challenge the definition of which ideas belong to which specific creator… and how does the modification of an original idea affect the infringement of the inventor’s intellectual creation. However, just because there are some “gray areas” doesn’t mean we should ignore and turn our back on the obvious encroachments.

So, with all of that said, I want to strongly encourage magicians around the world to read and seriously consider the Code of Ethics as jointly accepted by the International Brotherhood of Magicians and Society of American Magicians on May 8, 1993. These six points were the result of a cooperative effort by both organizations for the betterment of magic.

All members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians agree to:

1) Oppose the willful exposure to the public of any principles of the Art of Magic, or the methods employed in any magic effect or illusion.

2) Display ethical behavior in the presentation of magic to the public and in our conduct as magicians, including not interfering with or jeopardizing the performance of another magician either through personal intervention or the unauthorized use of another’s creation.

3) Recognize and respect for rights of the creators, inventors, authors, and owners of magic concepts, presentations, effects and literature, and their rights to have exclusive use of, or to grant permission for the use by others of such creations.

4) Discourage false or misleading statements in the advertising of effects, and literature, merchandise or actions pertaining to the magical arts.

5) Discourage advertisement in magic publications for any magical apparatus, effect, literature or other materials for which the…

IBM International President, David Sandy

All members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians agree to:

1) Oppose the willful exposure to the public of any principles of the Art of Magic, or the methods employed in any magic effect or illusion.

4) Discourage false or misleading statements in the advertising of effects, and literature, merchandise or actions pertaining to the magical arts.

5) Discourage advertisement in magic publications for any magical apparatus, effect, literature or other materials for which the advertiser does not have commercial rights.

6) Promote the humane treatment and care of livestock used in magical performances.

Although all six points are very important, item #3 deals specifically with the issue at hand. I would like to believe that every person has the capacity to understand that we all should do what is ethical and morally right. The idea of taking the ideas and creations from another person without permission and blatantly copying (and subsequently manufacturing/marketing) these tricks and illusions just isn’t the right thing to do. No justification of this action excuses the fact that it is wrong and unethical.

To make a difference, it will take a grassroots effort from within our own industry. I am not blind to the fact that there are magic dealers/manufacturers all over the world who build and sell items they have no right to manufacture and sell. Some of these offenders are small… perhaps even in your own local Ring.

Here’s how you can help… When faced with the opportunity to buy a new trick, illusion, etc., ask if it’s an authorized version. If it isn’t, then don’t buy it. Seems simple, huh? If no one bought anything from rip-off dealers, they’d be out of business. Perhaps some dealers just don’t know the error of their ways. Try to help them understand that you’d love to do business with them, but only if the rights of the creators of the tricks/illusions are respected. By supporting the unethical activities of these dealers with your spendable cash, you also become a part of the problem.

Am I trying to put out a forest fire with a garden hose? Perhaps. But even if it doesn’t solve the problem, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you made an effort toward the betterment and overall good of magic.

Folks, we all MUST work together fighting this problem. By turning our back and ignoring the situation, we only allow this horrible fire to burn brighter and stronger consuming not only the inspiration and motivation of our industry’s creative minds, but the core fiber of our wonderful brotherhood of magic. We must consider our own commitment to integrity and take a healthy stand on this issue.

In closing, I’d like to share an open letter to magicians everywhere written by Walter Blaney. He gives only one example of a rip-off builder in Italy. This particular builder steals from our industry’s creative minds on a large scale. But remember, it happens on a smaller scale as well… perhaps it is someone who is building stolen tricks in his basement or garage shop for sale at your monthly Ring meetings. Walter’s open letter is signed by a pretty impressive list of people within our business.

I hope you read and receive this missive in the true spirit of friendship and brotherhood as I have intended. If you have specific questions or thoughts, please feel free to email me directly atdavid@magician.org . My busy travel schedule may not permit me to reply immediately, but I assure you that I will reply at my first convenience.

Thank you so much for your support of magic and the I.B.M.!

Best,

David Sandy
International President
International Brotherhood of Magicians