There are some effect builders that go to great lengths to protect the "secret" of their effect. There are others that you can simply google. I know better then to simply refer to an effect by name on a stage, but some have it built into the presentation!

I am interested in hearing what other's opinions are on the matter.

I never use the effects name, either when performing or when at home as part if my curiosities. Each effect that I have, once it hits my greedy hands, gets an entire backstory and new reference name. This is not just to google proof them, but also to lend me the feeling of ownership as well as give them their own uniqueness.

Agree on not using name off effect.

This combined with back story lends to plausibility. Adding a mental subscript strengthes the performance.

I've yet to hear a performer suggest that his magical automated artificial hand was originated by anyone or that the backstory was written by so and so and the advertisements claim that no secret trapdoors are responsible for the battery operated antics . Nor have I been to a play where the actors announced that they were only actors and that all the work was fiction leased by the producer, or an opera where the tenor is stabbed and sings for a half an hour. No wait, I have seen that.

Back when there were printed programs it was customary to list by name, the effects in order of their appearance. The hallowed halls of history have been repainted to cover the graffiti and we don't see programs like that now. "Disclaimers? We don't need no stinkin' disclaimers."

Shut up, DeNomolos, you're on overkill.

I agree 100% on not needing disclaimers for the very same reasons. This was discussed at one of the East Coast Elders meetings with Ed Fowler. Those very same analogies also surfacing.

I am not following you Ed ?

Simply put would you buy an effect where the designers makes a presentation and refers to it by name as part of the presentation (in the form of a video or slide show) and uses the same name on their website to market the effect?

I never even heard about a performer saying the name of the effect in the presentation (maybe sometimes with card tricks), I think it's a rather stupid idea and see no point in doing it

I initially tried to outwit curious spectators using search engines by deliberately using an alternate / incorrect spelling for the Carnie Tarot. Five years later and now the Google algorithms will automatically route 'Carney / Carny Tarot' searches towards the product page. Oh well.

Darrin...
Developer, The Carnie Tarot

I agree on using an alternative name and back story for the effect. I do not care what the effect is called in the marketing, as long as that name is not printed on the prop/s. Most of the people I perform for aren't magicians, and aren't likely to stumble across photos online.

If I like the prop and it fits into a show or effect I'm doing, then that's all that counts. If my audience are googling my props, then I would take that as a failure as a performer.

I think you might be misunderstanding. If part of the product includes a video presentation to be used in the performance and refers to it by it's marketed name.

Ah ha, yeah now that would be a different story. Probably would put me off using it. OR force me to make my own video.