It is so easy to ask permission, that it baffles me that more people don't - unless secretly they know what they are offering to be less of an improvement and more of a copy.
Regardless, INEVITABLY, someone says - do you have to credit the pass, or the double lift? They smugly think this deflates the opposing sides argument.
It does not. It's just silly.
There are some moves which have become part of our lexicon. These moves (should be) known to all magicians. You do not have to credit the classic pass. No one expects you to.
However, if you are performing a unique version, then you should credit the person who came up with it. For example, if you perform a Free Turn Pass, you better have Cervon's name attached to it.
Case in point - the push through shuffle is very old. Just call it what it is and don't try to claim credit to it for yourself (which we see all the time). But, if you were going to teach the truffle shuffle in your routine - not only should it be credited, but you really need to get permission. After all, it is a marketed item.
Teaching a trick using the Zarrow shuffle takes no more than saying "do the Zarrow shuffle." The name IS the credit. While it is nice to credit Vernon when teaching a Triumph effect, most would think that is so well established it can go without saying. (Though, the effect goes back before Vernon, there are elements which make the plot as we know it 'his.')
HOWEVER, do not teach a trick where cards which were mixed face up and face down only to straighten themselves out and think for a moment you can get away with calling it YOUR idea. Likewise, it is a bad move to teach the zarrow shuffle with a slip cut instead of two shuffles and call it your own.
THIS is when the line is clearly crossed - and it happens all the time.
My problem was when Joshua claimed there is no consensus. This implies an ethical ambivalence in the community. This is not an accurate representation. While there are always people who will rationalize theft - the community as a whole is pretty clear as to what is acceptable and what is not. Of course, any one given item may fall into a grey area - but to suggest it's an ethical free for all is simply wrong.
Brad
Regardless, INEVITABLY, someone says - do you have to credit the pass, or the double lift? They smugly think this deflates the opposing sides argument.
It does not. It's just silly.
There are some moves which have become part of our lexicon. These moves (should be) known to all magicians. You do not have to credit the classic pass. No one expects you to.
However, if you are performing a unique version, then you should credit the person who came up with it. For example, if you perform a Free Turn Pass, you better have Cervon's name attached to it.
Case in point - the push through shuffle is very old. Just call it what it is and don't try to claim credit to it for yourself (which we see all the time). But, if you were going to teach the truffle shuffle in your routine - not only should it be credited, but you really need to get permission. After all, it is a marketed item.
Teaching a trick using the Zarrow shuffle takes no more than saying "do the Zarrow shuffle." The name IS the credit. While it is nice to credit Vernon when teaching a Triumph effect, most would think that is so well established it can go without saying. (Though, the effect goes back before Vernon, there are elements which make the plot as we know it 'his.')
HOWEVER, do not teach a trick where cards which were mixed face up and face down only to straighten themselves out and think for a moment you can get away with calling it YOUR idea. Likewise, it is a bad move to teach the zarrow shuffle with a slip cut instead of two shuffles and call it your own.
THIS is when the line is clearly crossed - and it happens all the time.
My problem was when Joshua claimed there is no consensus. This implies an ethical ambivalence in the community. This is not an accurate representation. While there are always people who will rationalize theft - the community as a whole is pretty clear as to what is acceptable and what is not. Of course, any one given item may fall into a grey area - but to suggest it's an ethical free for all is simply wrong.
Brad