FROM: Walter Zaney Blaney
President Emeritus
World Alliance of Magicians (WAM)

Dear Friends in Magic:

In a way of introduction, I think what you are about to read will astound you.

There is an ‘open letter' naming the world's largest magic builder of Rip-Off illusions. He is but one of a handful of magic builders and dealers who make their living off the creativity and hard work of others.

As you will see, the letter is self-explanatory.

The officers of WAM have been told by some that we are just a small band of
magicians always complaining about the ever-growing Rip-Off trade in our world magic community. I had to consider that maybe it was true; maybe the majority
of magicians just didn't care one way, or the other.

 So I asked most of the magic inventors to join us in trying to find out if
there was any real support for our cause. A letter was e-mailed to a few dozen
well known names in magic asking if they would sign on to this ‘open letter’.
They answered with a resounding “YES,” and their names are listed below the
letter.

Soon many more heard of this letter and wrote us asking that their name
be added.

You will see many of the "big names" in magic known worldwide, along with
scores of grass-roots, hard-working magicians who are well known and successful
in their own geographic areas. If we had time to wait, there would be thousands
more wanting to 'sign on.’ Until this letter came along there just hasn't been a place where they could all voice their opinion together.

Please feel free to forward this on to any friends in magic, to any Internet magic group you are a part of, and to any magic magazine in your country.

Now read the letter, look at the list of signers, and prepare to be astounded.

 

AN OPEN LETTER TO FRANCESCO MARTORANA,

STUDIO MAGIC DOMINIK, PALERMO, ITALY

 
We the undersigned magicians ask that you stop building and marketing the
following stage illusions. They are all proprietary illusions of the designated
magic inventors.

1.   #0005   Owen's Magic/Bill Taylor Temple
2.   #0006   Mark Wilson's Train Sawing
3.   #0014   Jim Steinmeyer's Walking Through a Mirror
4.   #0023   Franz Harary's Slicer
5.   #0024   Jim Steinmeyer's Interlude
6.   #0025   Jim Steinmeyer's Pole Levitation
7.   #0027   Jim Steinmeyer's Origami
8.   #0029   David Copperfield's Death Saw
9.   #0030   Doug Henning's Water Levitation (Now owned by Kirby
                  Van Burch), with  the Pendragon's 360-degree revolving
feature.
10. #0031   Levitation with Pendragon's 360 degree revolving feature.
11. #0032  Andre Kole's Squeeze Box
12. #0034   Pendragon's Crystal Sawing
13. #0040   Daniel Summers' Compressed
14. #0041   Jim Steinmeyer's Modern Art
15. #0043   Gunter Puchinger's/Chalet Magic - Mini Cube Zag
16. #0048   Jim Steinmeyer's Acupuncture
17. #0049   Walter Zaney Blaney's Ladder Levitation
18. No #    Jim Steinmeyer's Audience Dismember (Cutting a
Spectator in Half)
19. No#      Jim Steinmeyer's Windshear (Fan Illusion)

Mr. Martorana, you have not secured the building rights from any of these magic inventors, and you have given us no answer to our previous direct requests to stop.

An important segment of our magic craft is the constant invention and creation of new tricks and illusions.

Magic inventors must use their considerable
knowledge of the art of deception; spend a lot of time in heavy thinking and inspiration, and finally take great risk and a good deal of their own money to
develop, perfect and successfully market their new ideas.

All the magic societies around the world recognize the need to protect the
rights of magic inventors, and they clearly state this tenet in their various
Codes of Ethics.

By just ignoring the rights of the inventors who did all the hard work, and
who are trying to earn a living from their creations, it becomes easy for
someone like you to unfairly build and market cheaper, inferior copies we have all
come to know as "rip offs". You are not alone in the rip off business, Mr.
Martorana, but you are currently the largest.

We again respectfully ask you to cease and desist in copying and building
these illusions, to remove them from both your catalog and website, and from
those of your dealers around the world.

We believe it is in the best interest of all fair and honest magicians to
join us in standing up for the rights of the magic inventors in order to protect
and preserve the incentive so necessary for them to continue producing the
newest creations we all need and want.

Sincerely,

David Copperfield
Lance Burton
John Calvert & Tammy
Milt Larsen, Magic Castle founder and "It's Magic" show producer.
The Paul Daniels, England
Mark Wilson
Luis de Matos, Portugal
Peter Reveen
Rick Thomas
Joaquin Ayala
Franz Harary
Ali Bongo, England
Andre Kole
Kirby Van Burch
John & Pamela Thompson
Jeff McBride
Marvyn Roy & Carol
Gay Blackstone
Marco Tempest
Max Maven
Michael Ammar
John Carney
Aldo Colombini
Gene Anderson
Eugene Burger
Steve Dacri, Magic Web Channel
Alan Watson, New Zealand Magic Ezine
David Sandy, IBM Intl. President
Jay Gorham, SAM NatI. President
Dag Lofalk, FISM 2006 President, Sweden
Dale Hindman, Academy of Magical Arts President
Alan Shaxon, The Magic Circle President
Joan Caesar, Canadian Assn. of Magicians President
Philip R. Willmarth, The Linking Ring Executive Editor
Don Wiberg, IBM Intl. Secretary
Fred Casto, IBM Intl. Treasurer
Tony Wilson, IBM Intl. President Elect
Jerry Schnepp, IBM Past Intl. President
Earle Christenberry, IBM Past Intl. President
Ken Klosterman, IBM Past Intl. President
Bill Pitts, IBM Past Intl. President
John Apperson, SAM Natl. President Elect
David Goodsell, MUM Editor
Ed Thomas, SAM Past Natl. President
Dick Gustafson & Joanne, SAM Past Natl. President
George Schindler, SAM Past Natl. President
Craig Dickson, SAM Past Natl. President
Dan Garrett, SAM Past Natl. President
Marc DeSouza, SAM Ethics Committee Chairman
Bruce Cervon, Magic Castle Secretary
Chris Pratt, The Magic Circle Secretary
Michael Bailey, The Magic Circle Past President
Peter McCahon, The Magic Circular Editor
Scott Penrose, The Magic Circular Business Editor
Richard Stupple, The Magic Circle Council Chairman
Peter Scarleft, The Magic Circle Council Member
Jim Steinmeyer
John Gaughan
Bill Smith
Daniel Summers
John Cornelius
William J. Schmeelk
Bruce Chadwick
David Mendoza
Gunter Puchinger, Germany
George Robinson
Don Wayne
George Kimery
Gerry & Leonora Frenette
Tom Moore, Dream Concepts, England
Mark Parker, 4effect, England
Chris Murphy, Oz Illusions, Australia
Kevin James
Jon Racherbaumer
Joanie Spina
Becky Blaney
Rich Bloch
Kevin Spencer & Cindy
William V. Rauscher
Larry White
Bill McIlhany
Phil Temple
David Ginn
Denny & Lee
Oscar Munoz
David Seebach
John Wade, England
David Charvet
Gary Bartlett
Glenn Falkenstein
Frances Willard
James Cielen
James Hamilton
Doc Eason
Peter Studebaker
Bob Kohler
David & Kathie Haines
Lyn Dillies
David Hira
Chuck Leach
Steve Zigmont
Tim Kole
Keith West
Bob Fitch
Garry Carson & Kelsey
Tamaka
Doug Anderson
Danny Archer
Richard Hatch
Pete Petrashek
Trixie Bond
Paul Driscoll
Dick Newton
Bob Utter
Tom Craven
Jody Baran
Bill Palmer
Tim Ellis & Sue-Anne Webster
Kent Cummins
Arthur Emerson
Chuck Lehr
Wayne Rogers, New Zealand
Stephan Von Koeller, Germany
Gerald Edmundson
Mike Super
Ben Robinson
Carlos A. Guzman Mendoza, Mexico
Steve Farmer
Tim Quinlan
Devlin
Steffan Soule
Anthony Reed, Saipan
Jason Byrne
Cliff Bradley, England
Mike Lawrence
Steven Valenti & Michelle
John Taylor, Australia
Enrico Varella, Singapore
Peter "The Adequate" Hinrichs
Rev. Leo M. Goodman
David Caserta
David Goldrake
Fr. Stephan A. Fernandes
Tim Pendergast
Stan Davis
Hans Dillenberg, Germany
Timothy Ricketts
B A Lipp
Kenton Knepper
Curtis M. Kam
Robert K Parmacek
David Neubauer
Robert Allen
Brian Cook
Dean Alan Carnegie
John Steven Bloom
Colin McLeod
James Smith, England
Robert R. Bob Rouland
Jeff Peterson
Vicki & Dakota Rose
Tobias Beckwith
Charlie & Sherry Frye

Abb Dickson, WAM President (World Alliance of Magicians)
Scott Wells, WAM Vice President
Chuck Jones, WAM Treasurer
Timothy Drake. WAM Webmaster
Walter Zaney Blaney, WAM President Emeritus

Please add Lucy and me to your list of those who want to protect the rights of inventors, performers, and artists who are being ripped off by opportunists manufacturers and vendors. Sonny Bono got us some great legislation through the U.S Congress for copyrights that protect our work for life plus seventy years. It should also apply the same to the creators of magic and other live performance inventories just like it does to music. Even commercials are protected.

Bob and Lucy Sanders

(Three guesses who is a registered lobbyist in his other life.)

I heard over 50% are sold to japen, of these STUDIO MAGIC DOMINIK Illusions and 40% to Europe. To Dealers Like Select Magic.
If magicians would just stop buying these rip off illusions these builders would have to go away. It's really magicians who support their work.

Why is it that we can't stop our home-grow USA version rip-off builders like Jim Sommers via dealer Klamm the magic man. Who advertise in Linking ring and MAGIC for years.
Klamm has on his web site;
Jim Steinmeyer's Interlude
Jim Steinmeyer's Pole Levitation
Gunter Puchinger's/Chalet Magic - Mini Cube Zag
more....
right here;
www.klamm-magic.com
We should clean up this before we go else where.

Another tid-bit---Sylvan--I believe I may have misspelled his name---is sometimes the headliner at IBM CONVENTIONS

Well I have seen him doing Franco's (STUDIO MAGIC DOMINIK) illusions on video------ like demos

So is this italian star of magic using rip-offs.

Shame Shame Shame, it's people like these (rip off artists) who are going to ruin magic for all of us. I congratulate all who signed - If I was a professional I'd be signing too. Shame on the rip-off artists.

Well done WAM!

Just my thoughts,

Mike Rogers

I second everything said, in principal. I must also scratch my head in wonder when many who protest so much also sell ZigZags on their lists, I could also add a few dozen more effects but it would be pointless !! Maybe a matter of removing the plank from ones own eye`s first ! Still maybe making a stand now would be better late than never, time will tell.

Magic should respect the creators of stage illusions !
But some of the people on the list use rip off illusions in their own shows , makes you wonder...

I agree - this is a WONDERFUL cause and I'm very happy to have this cause as my first post on the Café!

We need to respect those who create in our art.

I also agree with El Rafael - some who signed their name to that list have been known to copy and or steal from other performers - and even admit to it!!

This list should not be used merely as a publicity tool. Those "performers" I am referring to, I'm sure, know who they are.

Just my 2 cents,

Bill

Is there a WAM update? It has been a while.

Bob
Magic By Sander

Hi

Its down to us!!!!

Stop buying the "Rip off" illusions and they will go out of busniess.

JA

WAM folded up from what I understand.

Scott may clear this up. But my understanding was that WAM went as far as it could. It raised the level of awarenesss on these ripoff artists. They have disbanded.

Richard

Hmmm -- I thoroughly agree that intellectual property rights should be respected -- and that illusionary magic is a smalll enough craft that the legal protections that were supposed to be affordable under the consitution are now too expensive for creators in the craft to enforce.

WAMM turned to moral suasion with this letter -- and it generally worked and scared the BJ out of a lot of home and hobby builders -- but it did not stop them, and my opinion is rightfully so. Particularly if building for their own use.

It is my understanding from rumor that the Italian builder in question actually bought a copy of each illusion before he knocked it off. I do not know how many sales were made to him by builders under a trade secret agreement as Walter now uses -- and how many of them have the werewithall to fight an international lawsuit over such an agreement.

For a while a broker/dealer living in Las Vegas represented the Italian line and sold the whole line -- even advertising in magic magazines. Head choppers, ladder suspensions etc. etc. All went for reasonable prices if you did not mind goods that required you to utter "almost worked" or "you could fix that real cheap" after you opened the box. Much of this stuff still available from Italy, and some is darned good -- and its provenance is not in question.

NOW, I never thought I would have to be part of this discussion -- but a unique set of circumstances helping out a late friend's widow and working with his estate, put me in posession of one of the Blaney Ladder Suspension knock offs.

Now I have used and owned Walter's illusions and ancillaries in the past. Well made and sturdy, almost flawless -- and you can tell they were built with the pride of the inventor.

When, as part of the Estate I received about half a semi of stuff -- in it was the knock-off prop -- in its original shipping box that looked like it took a tank to crush its end. I must say that it was nowhere the quality and serviceability that Walter's props represent.

Without going into method I must say the miocrogrooves used were not great and the proportions on the gimmick were not only incorrect but I felt they were unsafe. What Walter has veniered and used tough stuff on for durability and looks -- was covered with the European version of contact paper that looks like wood.

I had ATA style cases made for it with an eye to selling it to benefit the estate -- but with the flap between Walt and this builder at the time and with respect for Walter I did not try to sell it. I did set it up, analyze it, hurt an assistant with it, then got together with a well known builder who specializes his personal interest in suspensions and illusions to work on it for me.

He worked on it for about six weeks -- and corrected the structural deficiencies, the grooves, gimmick size, stability -- and added the ability to play on lawns, dirt and carpet. He also added about 40 lbs. to the piece and charged a realistic sum.

Again, out of respect for Walt this piece has never been on stage -- and I have paid the estate for it. The widow knew nothing about the magic other than it was her husband's vice -- worse than smoking.

But I myself have now been out of commision for two years with a health related problem. I am in need of money for bills and I am wondering how Walt and this group of signatories would suggest I approach the ethical question of selling this piece?

I did note that the last REAL Blaney Ladder Suspension that appeared on Magic Auction was first listed at $5000, then quickly was relisted at $10,000 with a requirement that a trade secrets agreement be signed with Walt. I figure that as part of the estate several years ago this piece cost me more than $4000 before tuning up.

How am I MORALLY able to recoup this money? I know the LEGALLY I can sell it because it was not covered by a trade secrets agreement, patent or such at the time of the sale of the estate to me or the prop to my late friend. But the hassle with established builders has not, in my opinion, been worth the potential headaches.

My creditors feel differently.

I respect Walt -- and hope he and you forum members and the signatories to the letter above can help me figure a way out of this...... maybe by using a broker that would let Walt bind this copy under a trade secret agreement upon sale??????

I tend to think that Walt's knee jerk response to this message will be tough stuff -- suck it up--because he has been embattled in this fight a long time. But I know he has a human side to that solves problems when they occur and would ask him to be in touch with that as he considers this situation.

In the Craft -

Gregg Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC
Tucson, AZ

I would suggest contact Walt and explaining the situation. It never hurts to aproach the creator with this situation.

That is my advice.

Michael

Just like Rafael, I am surprised by some names on the list. Günther Puchinger, for instance, has recently teamed up with Domenico Beltempo (from Germany) who also sells rip offs of many illusions which are not in the public domain yet.

Regards,

D

What about the other illusions? Why just this 19 illusions and only Famous names here? Just curious.

Still no one has answer about my questions??

Gee, when I read the title of this thread I was hoping it was about Walter lowering the price on his ladder levitation...let down again!

johnny

Ok...here's the scoop on the 19 illusions and the famous names.

WAM decided to choose the most ripped off illusions from several known designers. The idea was to make the point using illusions that were CLEARLY someone elses. It would have been an endless list to list every single illusion ever ripped off.

Walter published the letter and heard back from many many magicians. The ad was to be placed in print and there was only so much room for names so recognizable names were choosen from those that replied. The ad would have had less clout if it were full of only " unknown " names. I admit a complete list would have been great but space simply did not permit it.

I was thrilled to see my name on that list ( as WAM webmaster ) its probably the only time I ever shared a bill with such big names..lol. You may remember reading my name and saying...." Who is that?" lol


Best,

Tim

I don't see Houdini's name in there.

Also David Blaine and Criss Angel do not appear. I suppose we can assume from this that they support rip offs.

An absense of any name does not indicate any desire or support either way. If everyone who ever disagreed with rip-offs was to sign, it would still being passed around.

Nick Fox