Hacker News Reader

Comment by GigabyteCoin | Hacker News Reader

Blatantly copying somebody's magic trick from which they make a living from and then literally packaging and selling it as your own is downright dirty.

View on HN

What do you think software developers do for a living?

Software is a little different. It generally comes with a license specifying what can or can't be done with it.

But you don't need a license to copy a software's design or concept.

so this is the real crux of the question - should someone who come up with an idea be protected (with the goal of encouraging people to come up with more/better ideas).

Sorry I should've been clearer. If as software developers you are under the impression that you are not stealing other people's jobs (aka tricks) by packaging them, making them more efficient, and selling them more cheaply, you are wrong.

I love Penn and Teller but I was pretty bummed to read this story, it's so anti-competitive, and Penn's comments smacked of elitism, especially about how "elegant" the "real" way Teller did the trick was.

There is a difference between public common knowledge on "what is good programming practice" and a trick that teller came up with on his own time and made a point telling nobody about.

Still missing my point. Software industry profits by making things more efficient. This removes jobs. Robotics is a great example. Whats the difference between packaging a magic trick one uses to make their living, and a manufacturing skill?

I think it's a little hazy. Magic has a long tradition of magicians performing similar tricks, and as long as you either reverse-engineered it on your own or came up with your own way to accomplish the illusion, I think most magicians would respect it.

I think the issue here is that he's taking the performance whole-sale rather than coming up with a similar illusion. Teller offered to buy him out, which I think is a combination of class on his part and recognition of the nature of tricks in professional magic.

It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Blatantly copying somebody's algorithm and then packaging and selling it as your own. You support software patents?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com