I live in Australia. The money here is not paper, but plastic. I would like to perform an effect where I borrow a bill from an audience member, have them sign it and at this point I would do a switch for a copied bill.

I fold the bill and proceed to burn it absolutely visually without envelopes. Then of course, a revelation from a lemon or whatever one can imagine.

I know most people from here aren't Aussies, but what do you think about this idea for your own country? Legal issues and all.

Here (USA), it's illegal to copy, deface or destroy currency.

Do people do it anyway? Heck NO!!!

Mark.

I am not sure if the law has been changed, but as recently as 2004, the US Copyright law requires all reproductions of legal currency be either smaller (less than 3/4 the size of the original) or larger (more than 1-1/2 times the original size) but it cannot be double sided. Formerly it was restricted to black-and-white only, but reproduction in color is now allowed.

Also, there used to be a provision allowing exceptions for "numismatic or educational purposes."

Please note that these laws cover actual photocopying of REAL currency, not the printing of any kind of fake and not-legal-tender paper money.

If anyone else has an update of what's allowed and what's not, please let us know!

TED

Also what about flash bills? I have never seen them before. Are they an exact duplicate?

An Indian politician magician was arrested for doing this. News article is here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4713116.stm

Where does it say that the politician was ARRESTED in that story?

C

Maybe he misspoke since it says, several times, that they demanded the magician be arrested. Could be he was reading (incorrectly) between the lines.

Hmmm...Interesting story though.

Mark.

I misread the fact he was only "demanded" to be arrested. But nevertheless, my point being that copying and then burning currency can land one in an awkward situation.

I am amused at the ending to this article:
Mr Chary also denied the banknote was burned. He told the BBC it was like demanding a murder charge for the magician's trick of cutting a person in two and then producing them alive.

I like the ending of the story as well. That's a great analogy.

And by the way Scott...welcome to the Café!

Mark.

Thanks very much mrunge! It's nice to be welcomed. I find these forums a gem and hope to share a lot with other likeminded magicians.

On a side note the 100 rupee is only worth about $1.50 American. At least that was the rate when I was over there. It was 44 to 1. Crazy when you think you can buy a bottle of water for a quarter US.

Corey

Oops that should have read closer to $2.25. I have no idea what I was thinking. LOL