What is the Magician's Oath and why is it important
Magicians have relied on quick fingers and slight of hand to entertain audiences around the world for thousands of years. Magic is enjoyable because "a magic trick properly performed is a puzzle with a solution, a riddle without an answer, a mystery without the last revealing chapter." The simple cup and ball trick is even depicted on the walls of an ancient Egyptian tomb.[1] Magic as a performance art had stood the test of time.
In addition to relying on skills, magicians have fostered a informal code of secrecy. The secrecy is intended to protect their tricks from being exposed to the public. Magicians understandably believe that if their tricks are revealed they will not longer be "a puzzle without solution" and prevent the audience from enjoying their show. These tricks often also require hours of long and difficult practice to master. In addition to time, magicians spend money on their illusions. After the Fox television show Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed aired in the 1990s, other magicians sued the Val Valentino (the Masked Magician) because he revealed the magical tricks that they used in their shows. Two magicians, Kevin and Cindy Spencer, argued that Valentino had forced them to shutter acts that had them $100,000 to create. The Spencers also stated that they were "just disappointed that someone who made his living performing the art of magic for over 25 years would be so quick to betray their community."[2]
Magician's Oath
Magic
"As a magician I promise never to reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician, unless that one swears to uphold the Oath in turn. I promise never to perform any illusion for any non-magician without first practicing the effect until I can perform it well enough to maintain the illusion of magic."
The Joint IBM and SAM joint ethics statement
Two separate organizations that represent
The IBM and SAM jointly issued an ethics statement for its members in 1993. This ethics code is still applicable:
- Oppose the willful exposure to the public of any principles of the Art of Magic or the method employed in any magic effect or illusion.
- Display ethical behavior in the presentation of magic to the public and in our conduct as magicians, including not interfering with or jeopardizing the performance of another magician, either through personal intervention or the unauthorized use of another’s creation.
- Recognize and respect for rights of the creators, inventors, authors and owners of magic concepts, presentations, effect and literature, and their rights to have exclusive use of, or to grant permission for the use of by others of such creations.
- Discourage false and misleading statements in the advertising of effects and literature merchandise or actions pertaining to the magical arts.
- Discourage advertisement in magical publication for any magical apparatus, effect, literature of other materials for which the advertiser does not have commercial rights.
- Promote the humane treatment and care of livestock used in magical performances.