On Jan 6, 2017, Kleberdexter wrote:
Hello how are you?
Im new to Magic And after some advices of a lot of friends here, I start to read more And take a break in constructing an buying props.
So In my first months in magic, I made some props. I started tô construct props because here in Brazil I cant find some things And sometimes I find the props but they are very expensive.
So I made a lot of props, so the last props are:
A production box;
A computer deck like prop;
A switchbox;
A silkcab,
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By5Q6N......hSlBfaTA

My doubt is: are this item copyrighted? Can use this in my presentations?

Sorry if my doubt is too simple.
Thanks.

On Jan 7, 2017, Bill Hegbli wrote:

Quote:

On Jan 6, 2017, Kleberdexter wrote:
Hello how are you?
Im new to Magic And after some advices of a lot of friends here, I start to read more And take a break in constructing an buying props.
So In my first months in magic, I made some props. I started tô construct props because here in Brazil I cant find some things And sometimes I find the props but they are very expensive.
So I made a lot of props, so the last props are:
A production box;
A computer deck like prop;
A switchbox;
A silkcab,
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By5Q6N......hSlBfaTA

My doubt is: are this item copyrighted? Can use this in my presentations?

Sorry if my doubt is too simple.
Thanks.

If you have a book of that explains how to make trick props, then by all means you can make them for your own use. Generally, not to sell, the owner of the book usually retains that right.

Many magicians use props that are all made by themselves. Why not, if you are a good craftsman, then make anything you desire. Are all plans available for every trick being sold, of course not, why would anyone cut their own profits by telling people how to make a magic trick.

Just make sure what you make is nice looking, and something you would be proud to display and use.

Most magic items are made to sell for a profit, and because others don't have the craftsmanship themselves to create. It also does not make sense to have a workshop for only one piece being made. If you were to buy a lath, bench saw, drill press, etc., just to make one magic props, kind of defeats the purpose of trying to save money, over purchasing the prop ready made.

Although, some people have a personal pride in making things themselves, and the cost of making it is outweighed by their personal feelings. I have made products over the years, the cost of a trick for $500, I made for the cost of $20.00 because I already had the drills and knowledge of the very old device, that was made with more modern items.

I make my own gimmicks, that work well for me, and have not been offered on the market. I have also purchased gimmicks, because I just did not have the knowledge or tools to create it myself. Not knowing the kind of tool that is needed, is part of secret to making some props.

As you have said, you can't afford a prop, so how can you afford the machinery to make the prop? That reasoning does not make sense. If you can afford machinery, then you can afford to buy the prop.

Yea, many of the items in your picture are owned by others. Now the question is, have you improved on the original and made it better, and different enough to be your own creation. As Dick Oslund pointed out, it is the presentation and routine that makes a magic effect. Not the prop, the prop is only a vessel to help illustrate the magic effect. A box is just a box, until a magician turns it into a seeming miracle, that puzzling and will fool the audiences minds into wonder beyond their understanding.