P.C. Sorcar: We Must Patent TricksInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

P.C. Sorcar, Jr.

The PTI News reports this morning famous Indian Magician P.C. Sorcar wants to patent “magical acts to prevent their misuse.”

Mr. Sorcar is well-known in and out of India for his illusion work. The news service notes the magician “made the Taj Mahal vanish for several minutes and an entire passenger train vapourise with a twirl of his fingers.”

The “misuse” of magical acts or magic tricks comes when a magician copies or steals for one’s own selfish desires, says Mr. Sorcar.

Because of the recent increase in such “misuse,” Mr. Sorcar sees no alternative. He says patenting of magical acts has now become a necessity.

It is a tribute of the highest order to me if my magic is copied by other magicians but then these days a lot of upcoming magicians take credit for tricks that are not their creation. I have thus begun to apply for copyright for every new act. But then, those who copy cannot go far, as magic is not only about the trick itself but also presentation.

Mr. Sorcar was in Guwahati to raise funds for the Assam Olympic Association. He plans to appear and perform at the 33rd National Games. “I trace my magical roots to Kamrup in Assam and have often thought of repaying the state for all it has given me. These upcoming performances there will give me a chance to do just that,” Mr. Sorcar told the news service.

There appears to be some confusion in the story whether Mr. Sorcar would have the methods patented or the presentation protected by copyright. The article uses the terms interchangeably although they protect two very different types of intellectual property.

We don’t proclaim any expertise in India’s Intellectual Property law but it seems unlikely their patent or copyright system would be able to protect magic effects or “magical acts.” We’ll follow this story closely and let you know if anything develops.

It is interesting; however, the newswire cites two effects seemingly in line with illusions performed by David Copperfield. Both magicians have apparently vanished a train and a famous landmark without any intellectual property dispute arising.

P.C. Sorcar, Jr.

The PTI News reports this morning famous Indian Magician P.C. Sorcar wants to patent “magical acts to prevent their misuse.”

The “misuse” of magical acts or magic tricks comes when a magician copies or steals for one’s own selfish desires, says Mr. Sorcar.

Because of the recent increase in such “misuse,” Mr. Sorcar sees no alternative. He says patenting of magical acts has now become a necessity.

It is a tribute of the highest order to me if my magic is copied by other magicians but then these days a lot of upcoming magicians take credit for tricks that are not their creation. I have thus begun to apply for copyright for every new act. But then, those who copy cannot go far, as magic is not only about the trick itself but also presentation.