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Magician Suing For Copyright Over Magic Trick

Posted by samzenpus on from the trick-for-treats dept.

Fluffeh writes "Teller, the silent half of the well-known magic duo Penn and Teller, has sued a rival magician for copying one of his most famous illusions. The case promises to test the boundaries of copyright law as it applies to magic tricks. A Dutch magician with the stage name Gerard Bakardy (real name: Gerard Dogge) saw Teller perform the trick in Las Vegas and developed his own version — then started selling a kit — including a fake rose, instructions, and a DVD — for about $3,000. Teller had Bakardy's video removed with a DMCA takedown notice, then called Bakardy to demand that the magician stop using his routine. Teller offered to buy Bakardy out, but they were unable to agree on a price. So Teller sued Bakardy last week in a Nevada federal court."

5 of 296 comments (clear)

  1. Good luck. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You'll need it. Or, as Teller might say, " ."

  2. Probably an interesting phone call... by jdbuz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bakardy: Hello? Teller: . Bakardy: Heelloo? Teller: . Bakardy: Goodbye. Teller: !

  3. Re:Seen this trick before by deciduousness · · Score: 5, Funny

    GOB: Illusion, Michael. A trick is something a whore does for money. [GOB notices children in earshot] ... Or candy!

  4. Tesla's machine is at work... by tekrat · · Score: 5, Funny

    What you don't know is that Bakardy hired Tesla to create a machine which performs the trick. And, every night after the performance, workers have to remove large boxes full of drowned flowers, secretly out through the stage door and into a warehouse...

    --
    If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
  5. Re:If he manages - you know what the next stage is by paazin · · Score: 5, Funny

    God, I wish there was a sarcasm font.

    Comic Sans?