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Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
I live in Jersey City and spend a lot of time in New York City. Being a big city dweller I’ve hesitated to invest in a set of color changing knifes because of the scrutiny of security personnel at various checkpoints in and out of NYC. Now, I’d still like to do a CCK routine but even knifes that lock are more than likely going to be confiscated by the police or airport security for that matter, when I travel. I know of one set of CC knives without blades, but I was thinking wouldn’t be cool to have a set of CC comb knifes? You probably know what I’m talking about, but if not look here:
http://www.amazon.com/China-Novelty-Swit......00V99G00 I’ve heard that there are some CCK routines that involve handling the open blade; comb knives would make that a lot safer as well. Obviously, You would need permission from who ever holds the copyright to the switchblade comb but I imagine a lucrative deal could be arranged. Not being in a financial position to produce these myself, I thought I’d throw this idea out to my Magic Café friends. If someone wants to run with the idea, go right ahead. If you do I wouldn’t complain if you sent me a complementary set of knives. All the best, Dave
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
I've had a few PM's on this. Thanks to all for the input and suggestions.
Dave
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I would have posted this to you in a PM, but there are things in your original post that reflect common misconceptions that magicians have, so, rather than send out PM's to all the people who post this kind of thing, I figure that it would be better to post it where more people can read it.
First thing. You don't copyright things like this. You patent them. If you are referring to copyrighting the idea of a switchblade comb, that isn't legal. You can't copyright an idea. You can't patent an idea. IP protection is available ONLY for manifestations and/or implementations of ideas. The switchblade comb has been available since at least 1974. It may go back earlier than that. If this is the case, unless there is a trademark on "Switchblade Comb," it's out of patent, i.e. in the public domain. If you are going to take things like this on an airplane, then you put them into your checked baggage. If you regularly work in NYC, then you might want to find a place in NYC to store some extra props you know you will need. You can probably do it for less than it would cost you to replace confiscated items. This said, remember when you are dealing with TSA, sometimes you are not dealing with the sharpest spoon in the drawer. About a month ago, TSA held up a fellow who was trying to pass through a security checkpoint with a Mackintosh Air computer. The TSA rep said it couldn't be a real computer. The passenger missed his flight. A fellow worker informed the rep that he needed to get up to speed on what was out there with computers. If you are being stopped going into NYC and you have a switch comb, there is an even chance that it will be confiscated anyway. Locking knives are covered by one particular law. Switch combs can be interpreted as a hoax weapon. It all depends on your attitude and whether the guard's wife burnt his toast that morning. For a previous thread on air travel read this: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=34
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
I can see the security people freaking when the closed switch-comb shows up on the x-ray screen! It will look like a knife!
I got held up and missed my plane last year trying to explain a box with a false bottom (switch box) to the security people. I had simply forgotten to dump out the billets and the x-ray picked them up. I even gave an impromptu performance using the box for them (thinking about it, maybe that's why I missed my plane!). All this needless security is sure confusing and truly at the whim of the security personnel. I'd do away with it all. It is not really needed nor does it provide real security from the determined.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
Thanks to the courts decisions on computer patents, the lines have been blurred. There are certainly a lot of "ideas" that have been patented. Since the implementation of an idea can be tweaked just slightly (similar to changing the color of something) the courts have given broad rights to patent holders. This may have spilled over into other areas of invention as well.
It is pretty silly when you look at it. It is possible to have deadly weapons that can pass through security checkpoints where they are confiscating tweezers and nail clippers.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
Bill,
Right you are - patent. I've written quite a number of things, so copyright stuck in my head. The number of things I've invented - zip. I just assumed that someone had the rights to the switchblade combs. It never hurts to err on the side of caution. As far as airports are concerned - and any security for that matter - I'd rather things be as easy as possible. I read over on the Genii forum that someone had their CC knives confiscated. Since I walk with metal crutches I always set off the alarms going through airport security. Since 9/11 I've gone through several full body searches. I don't even want to think about what they'd do to me if they found anything resembling knives. I wasn't thinking of bringing these things anywhere near an airport, meaning real knives. As Marty said, they sometimes don't even let tweezers through. I realize since someone pointed it out, that it's probably just as easy to stick to street legal knives, i.e; pen knives. I guess I'll risk losing some knives if I don't go with something else in the near future. I still like the idea of the comb knives. I had this image of a leather clad 50's rocker character trying to impress the ladies by color changing his switchblade. Each time, the lady is not impressed. So, our intrepid young Elvis wannabe pauses between dates to comb his hair with his multi-hued switchblade. Again, just a fun idea. Maybe it'll go somewhere, maybe Mr. Mogar will branch out into grooming items. Thanks to all for the advice and input. All the best, Dave
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-03 16:28, marty.sasaki wrote: All of these cases have involved ideas that have been implemented. In other words, there were pieces of software or hardware that actually functioned. BTW, are you aware that while the integrated circuit was patented, most specific IC's aren't? The reason -- patents expire relatively quickly. Most IC's are copyrighted. So, how do they get away with this? The masks that are used to make the IC's are photographic or they are drawn. This makes them graphics, which means they fall under copyright instead of patent. Clever people these guys at TI. Too bad they couldn't make a decent home computer that would actually sell. But then again, when you are dealing with a company that probably would have advertised KFC as "deep fat fried pieces of dead barnyard fowl," you can understand that.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-03 22:46, Bill Palmer wrote: That's the point I tried to make, obviously I did a bad job of it. In the software sense, a red widget, is the same as a blue widget, which is the same as a green widget, the idea of a colorable widget is patentable. The KFC bit reminds me of a friend who thought that KFC was changed to this name because of the "Chicken". In reality it was "Fried" that caused the name change.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
The main thing here is that an "idea" (in terms of the USPTO and the LOC) is a thing that only exists in someone's mind. It must be expressed somehow to be considered intellectual property. If the color of the widget makes no difference in functionality, etc., it will be difficult for a successful case to be brought against the person who puts out the red widget in place of the blue one. OTOH, if the color makes a significant difference, then it may be possible to protect the color. However, there is a mechanism in place to protect IP owners from unauthorized derivative work.
IP law has become extremely complex during the past 14 years, since we signed on to the Berne accord. The Restoration of Copyright act has really cost a lot of people a lot of money. Sometimes the person whose money is actually reduced is the person who wins the case! Some people who own the rights to various pieces of IP don't realize that if they charge outrageous fees for licensing, that people will simply not buy their material, if it is possible to do without it. I'm not referring to software in this case. We look at the software we use on our home computers and think we have a handle on what "software" really is. Then we see some of the programs and suites, such as the ones I have represented at various trade shows, where the software package may cost 5-6 figures.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
Maybe I should invent the Color Changing Widget?
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
If you're concerned about knives how about 'No. 2 Pencil' instead?
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Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
Hi Jaz,
I've considered CC pencils and the like, but I'd thought the comb idea would be safe and cool looking at the same time. Just trying to think out of the box as they say. It's really no big deal. I may make a prototype set out of cheap penknives for fun. I've seen them in a local dollar store, knives that can be easily cannibalized and reassembled for use as CC knives. I’ll need to look into barber supply companies for the right combs but in the end I’ll have some unique props to say the least. As always, thanks for the advice. Dave
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There have been some plastic rods (not hot rods) that were made to do CCK - like routines. However, if you could have something made that looked a lot like a knife, but actually wasn't, that might be interesting. I don't know how you would explain it.
If you decide to do color changing widgets, get the wedge shaped widgets -- full sized. Don't go for the color changing midget widgets.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
I get your meaning Bill and I have a few ideas. I agree on the color changing midget widgets. Besides, I think McDonalds gave those away in a Happy Meal recently, so now the market's flooded with them!
Thanks, Dave
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Never let an audience see you fidget with a midget widget.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-05 13:56, Bill Palmer wrote: Sage advice indeed!
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
BrucUK Regular user UK 163 Posts |
Never let an audience see you fidget with a midget widget. Unless it's with the pinkie digit.
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