I have been asked by others to use a couple of scripts/routines I have developed that I think are unique. I come to world of magic from arena where sharing was common. However I have been cautioned to be more protective here. What are the ethics in sharing. vs selling? What is best way to protect creative work and still advance the gospel?

I share your concern. I have developed a unique pen thru bill routine, soft soap, and others that I feel very protective of but would also like them used by others to properly present the gospel. I'm thinking of maybe publishing them as an e-book in the future to maintain the creative origin of the effects. Maybe you could do that?

Great idea & great start to this discussion. Thank you!

If your routines are original, write them up and copyright them. In the USA, they are copyrighted as they are written...do not need to register with the copyright office. However, doing so offers another layer of protection and "hard proof" if you ever need a lawsuit.

By the way...I am NOT an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. Check with an attorney regarding the current copyright laws.

"Hi I'm also a Gospel magician. Can I use your routine and can you tell me how to do it?" (I have been asked this by newbies & pros alike) This is a downside of posting on YouTube.

I don't consider myself overly protective of my routines and I don't want to spend the time/energy to track down and stop people who can't see the folly of copying others. I generally tell them to go ahead & try but I don't give them the secrets or nuances unless they send me a monetary gift. I also give them the 'doing as I do won't work for them' speech.

Thanks mike - but did you sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night? Good advice all the way around. And Wes, you are right, I can't write my personality into a script for someone else's performance. You've given me some good insight to make a decision. Thank you and I'd love to hear from more of you about this. Thanks again,

I used to share a lot of my idea's until someone took those idea's and shared them on a website without acknowledging where they got them from, or even thanking me for sharing them. Sometimes I still occasionally share an idea here and there, but I have become cautious where and with whom I share with.

I figure most people who are real Christian magicians are ethical about these things. It's the guy who thinks he can make a quick buck off of selling your material in his own name that is the bigger problem, and protecting the work from the one while sharing with the other can be a hard distinction to make.

I think some good Christian sometimes misunderstand the quote, "Freely received, freely give".

Very interesting topic with people having many differing views.

All I can say is good luck. The track record for protecting material is very poor. Some Christians will take the info and when you confront them, it's well your a Christian, you should share, or how dare you sue a fellow Christian. I had an entire lecture taken and given the night before I was to present it to a camp. I opened my lecture and after ten minutes asked what was going on and then was told this lecture was given, from my notes yesterday. When comforted, the "Christian" said he didn't think it was a big deal. You are fighting thieves that just don't care and realistically only the fires of hell will teach them it was wrong.

I believe it was MAGIC magazine that has recently featured a long series of articles written by an attorney on this very subject.

Interesting thread/forum - (??)- I"ve posted at least a Doz. routines and ideas - I want to share it all (at 76 I don't care about PRAISE or FAME- anymore.) but I hope all will use and not claim for self. I'll keep sharing as long as I'm able and not taken advantage of. - Not too computor/Cafe knowledgable (sp?) but how would I direct anyone to an effect if they ask?? Please , if anyone could tell me, PM me, as I get lost or tired scrolling. Blessing to ALL . Ralph (russo) Rousseau,

I agree with Ralph.

I will continue sharing here and other places.

Lately my work includes more puppet/vent scripts and Gospel music on my harmonica/ukulele.

I find people are much freer in sharing ideas to be used in the ministry than in traditional magic groups.

My routines are built around my testimony, but many can fit others.

In fact it is the things that I share that others have in common, seem to work the best.

Why do we laugh...change the name and the story is told of us. (sounds better in Latin)

love and prayers Harris

I agree with Ralph.

I will continue sharing here and other places.

Lately my work includes more puppet/vent scripts and Gospel music on my harmonica/ukulele.

I find people are much freer in sharing ideas to be used in the ministry than in traditional magic groups.

My routines are built around my testimony, but many can fit others.

In fact it is the things that I share that others have in common, seem to work the best.

Why do we laugh...change the name and the story is told of us. (sounds better in Latin)

love and prayers Harris

If your goal is primarily to spread the gospel, then I'd say share freely, just like you want the gospel to be shared freely.

I know I'm very late to this discussion; however, when it comes to presenting the Gospel, I don't feel protective of routines I developed to share the Good News.

If the routine is shared and used without credit or payment and just one soul is won for Christ, that's all that really matters. Our treasures are heavenly, not earthly. If someone wants to copy me, by all means, have at it.

That's not to say that others should copy me. They SHOULD develop their own routines that fit their own personalities, but in the end, it's the Gospel message that is of primary importance.

That in no way justifies those who plagiarize others without permission or credit. That's still wrong. I can't imagine any Christian magician that wouldn't send them on their way with a smile and an offer to answer any questions they might have.