I almost always purchase an effect because I feel that the author deserves credit for their thinking. Intellectual property is important and when you are buying an effect, that is what is being sold to you--someone's answer to a magical problem. You are buying their thought process and their answer.

However, what do people think about this scenario:
If you see an effect and you think you know the method (but aren't 100% sure or maybe you are), do you think it is fair to avoid compensating the person who stimulated your imagination and brought you to a method previously unknown to you? I guess that amount to paying someone for simply showing you a trick.

I am sure this topic has been discussed before.

I personally will buy a trick to support magic creativity. In buying the trick too, you will also get other presentation ideas and handlings. For example...I knew how Sean Fields Saw was done. But I purchased the DVD to get the other handlings/presentations plus his wisdom in how he came up with the idea and the pros and cons of each method. I also made my own Bisection and about two months later bought the manuscript from Andrew Mayne to support his creativity. With some tricks you are also purchasing the performing rights.

That is true and the two examples you sited are similar--I also bought Saw, even after I purchased its predecessor and knew the "Secret". I have done this many times--supported sopmone else's creativity. BUT, where does it end? I watch Losander's thumb tie (an uncredited version of the red tape thumb tie--a version I have not seen) and I immediately figured out the method. This method was subsequently confirmed by someone who has the red tape thumb tie (even though I did NOT ask him to reveal the method). So, now, if I decide to perform it (an effect whose method was obvious to me, but who did not credit the predecessor) am I morally obligated to buy it? If so, the next question is of course, which to buy?

Much of that is up to the individual I guess. If I had the money I would support every person I have used something from and in turn made a living from. Sometimes though, even a letter to the originator is also a show of support. Another form of support is educating others of the origins. For me, it all counts.

It is a tricky issue as to where does it end. I guess one should ask oneself...If the trick/method is used in your advancement in a career in performing, then any valiant attempt at supporting the originator/creator of said effect in the manners I suggest above.

I just bought Whit Hadyn's Mongolian Pop Knot routine even though I knew the method of each of the individual parts. I'm very glad I did, because the attention to the little details and the explanations of all the bits of business are worth reading. They're not things you might pick up by watching Whit's performace.

But besides that, buying the routine was the right thing to do.

I'm not a pro and I might never make a cent by performing the Pop Knot, but heck, I paid almost as much for the family to eat at Burger King the other night, and the Mongolian Pop Knot gives me much greater pleasure.

I agree with everyone - I have bought effects where I knew the workings already but usually you get so much more.

The same with DVD's and books - I recently bought Mr Electric - The Stage Magic of Marvyn Roy and Carol. Anything on there I can use, I already know the workings of - BUT the DVD is also 2 hours of invaluable presentation ideas etc etc etc.

And this is another opportunity for me to say Marvyn Roy and Carol are just magnificent.

If I see an effect, or read about one and think that I might like to add a similar concept to my own performance, I purchase the effect. I'm not purchasing it for the method, but for the rights to perform, so if I use part of the routine, I'm supporting the person who came up with it.

Sometimes I make a purchase just to support the person who is marketing the product. We have a group of creative people here on the Café that come up with some interesting ideas. I know that I will never use what I purchased, but by supporting them, they will develop other things and maybe some day I will be able to use one of those. It is an investment in the future.

Tony

I am a BIG believer in "support your local magic shop", even though in most cases I can get the magic for less $$ somewhere else. If we do not support them, they will go away. My magic shop that I frequent is a great place to go, hang out, talk shop and discuss ideas. Also, they give me good advice on what NOT to waste my $$ on (even though they may sell it). You have to respect that. In the same aspect, they pass shows to me from time to time.

Does this count?

JIM

My closest 'local' magic shop is 2,500 kilometres away but I've been very lucky with online purchases - mainly by checking here first - and have used the What's Cooking promos here on The Café to buy off Magic Depot and MJM Magic and both have been good experiences.