Thanks for posting that question again Tom.
I had a feeling I was wasting my time by answering you a couple weeks ago when you originally asked me the same exact question! Whose answer are you looking for if not mine?
In my first response to your accusations, I gave you a more than courteous and very sincere answer. I even helped you out with your question about using paypal to sell your magic on your own site.
Now that you've decided I need to be attacked publicly, I'll once again take time out to respond.
Last year I decided to create an online package for the self folding bill trick since one did not exist. I selected this particular trick because it is one of the best visual magic tricks I have seen, and also because it seemed to be in the public domain. In other words, everybody and their brother has their own package on the market for years now and none are credited as far as I could see. Not to tread on anyone's toes, I did my research to the best of my ability. I asked all the magicians I personally associate with and scanned the internet as well. I also made phone calls to some of the more knowledgeable magicians in Las Vegas. Most could not come up with anyone as far as an inventor was concerned. The only name that did come up was UF Grant, and I did not think that was correct.
So I compiled a nice ebook and used the trick as a promotion on my site over Christmas. And lo an behold.. someone contacted me with a credit. A very knowledgeable and experienced magician and dealer as a matter of fact. This person asked me if I knew that the inventor of the effect was a man named Al Faria from New York who never gets credited. I told him I did not, but was very pleased to finally be able to add the credit to the document, which I did. A while later I heard that there was a conflicting credit given in a version published in a rather recent edition of Magic magazine. I decided that I would look into it to be sure. I do not subscribe to Magic and as I have many projects going at any given time, I got distracted and didn't think of it again for a few months. I was in no rush anyway since the item was no longer on my website.
Cut to last month... I was chatting on MagicTalk for the first time in over a year when it occurred to me that I could poll the folks there and see if anyone had any info, which I did. A few people responded by saying that Mike Ammar credits Stephan Schutzer in his new videos, which had just come out. Then Tom emailed me personally and told me that Stephan was the inventor of the effect and was inspired to create the effect by something he had seen in an old sci-fi movie. Also, that he had marketed the effect in the 80's but it was quickly knocked off. He said Stephan had given the idea to Mike Ammar simply to associate his name with the effect and get the credit he deserved. I thanked Tom for the info and I asked where I could get a copy of the original instructions and why he no longer sells it. (No good answer to that)
Most importantly though, I clearly stated that I intended to update the instructions with credit to Stephan. If all Stephan wanted was credit, I said I hoped that this would help him because I could distribute a lot of them over the net.
Well Tom, I guess you decided that once the 10 working days allotted by magic law had passed and I still hadn't updated the instructions it was time to try to damage my reputation with a public attack in a forum. And of course you neglected to mention that I had already responded to you personally.
Here's what I think. I think since the effect has been marketed by so many people for so many years and nothing has been done about it, it's unjust for you to single me out now for an attack. Especially since you are already aware of how this came to pass. Your intention is obviously just to hurt my reputation. I don't appreciate your attitude and I will not be returning any more of your emails. So please stop harassing me.
As a matter of fact, I don't appreciate the attitude of all who responded to this post. The fact is, my work on the net is none of your business. I don't belong to any of your organizations and I haven't infringed upon any copyrights. I am doing perfectly legal and in my opinion, quite ethical business.
To TheDoc: I am NOT marketing magic in a pyramid scheme. You need to brush up on the definition of what a pyramid, or Ponzi scheme is. I am simply applying a branding system to my ebooks. Pyramid schemes do not work and are illegal. Branding and affiliate systems do work, and are perfectly legal. Before you make those kind of accusations, you should know what you are talking about.
To Dave Shepard: Let me quote you first..
"...kids to whom I teach magic at my high school have come to regard any information on the Internet as fair game. Fearson certainly doesn't do anything to counter this perception when he puts this kind of stuff online. "
It's not my job to counter any high school kids perception of magic on the internet Dave. As their magic teacher I guess that would be your job.
To Steven Youell:
"But wait! For that same $19.99 you'll also receive..
Right outta a Ginsu Knives commercial..."
You are correct if you are implying that I know how to sell. If you are saying that giving away a bonus item to help close the sale is sad.. Well, what can I say to that? I disagree.
Just a thought I want to pass along to any would be inventors..
It doesn't matter what you invent.. if you don't do anything with it you're not going to be recognized for it. Generally, the guy who does the footwork will get the credit. That holds true for marketing as well as performing. And you'll be lucky indeed if you find a guy like Mike Ammar or myself, who is willing to give credit once you've let it slip away.
It was never my intention to rip anyone off. I wish I didn't sound so angry in this response, but I am.
I have been marketing magic for quite a long time now. In a business with virtually no ethics, I remain one of the most ethical guys around. I am currently the only person I know of exploring the true potential of magic and the internet through over half a dozen experimental websites. One deals with viral marketing and magic, another with branding and affiliate programs. Another just brings traffic to magic sites. Mostly, I'm just trying to share my knowledge and enable other magicians to get the most out of the internet. Just because you guys can't comprehend what I am doing doesn't give you the right to slam me.
If you think I'm breaking the law, sorry I'm not.
If you think there should be a law, run for office.
If you think I'm ruining magic on the net, get off your ass and build something better.
The fact is that unless you work harder than me, the future of magic and the net is in my hands.
So kick me out of your clubs and blow me out your magic circles. I'll keep working.
And if you absolutely must gossip about me, make sure you spell my name right.. and don't forget to mention my URL :)
Steve Fearson
http://DownloadMagic.com PS.. This took me forever to write. I hope it gets read this time.