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On 2010-02-13 10:20, edshern wrote:
Can effects be copyrighted like a book can?
Once supermonster writes up or videos his trick/effect what's to prevent theft of his intellectual property?
Copyright can only apply to something tangible. You can copyright an effect only if you have put it down on paper, created a video for it. So basically: if you don't release it, no one can steal the work because they don't know it. When you release it, it is protected. Anyone who has ever visited a torrent or download site knows that doesn't stop thieves, but it does give you the ability to approach the site and get them to remove any illegal copies.
There's a whole lot of intricacies involved with copyright, but those are the basics. If you want to use it in court, registering a manuscript's copyright might be a good idea, but you have it the moment you take it out of your head and make it publishable.