Code of the Magician's Secret

The code of the magician's secret is a time-honored tradition among performers. It started out as solely a ban against revealing the secrets to the illusions done by magicians, but has grown to include a code of ethics.

Not That IBM
In 1993, the IBM Board of Directors, jointly with the Society of American Magicians, approved a code of ethics. The IBM in question is the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and not the computer company.

The code of ethics is as follows, quoted from the International Brotherhood of Magicians:

All members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians agree to:

1. Oppose the willful exposure to the public of any principles of the Art of Magic, or the methods employed in any magic effect or illusion.
2. 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.
3. Recognize and respect for rights of the creators, inventors, authors and owners of magic concepts, presentations, effects and literature, and their rights to have exclusive use of, or to grant permission for the use by others of such creations.
4. Discourage false or misleading statements in the advertising of effects and literature, merchandise or actions pertaining to the magical arts.
5. Discourage advertisement in magic publications for any magical apparatus, effect, literature or other materials for which the advertiser does not have commercial rights.
6. Promote the humane treatment and care of livestock used in magical performances.

For a professional magician, this code acts as a set of governing laws. Anyone who breaks the code risks a ban from the Society of American Magicians or the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The magician may also be ostracized by fellow magicians, which can severely limit career opportunities.

Why Have a Code?
The code has its origins in the Magician's Oath, which is as old as the art of magic itself. The Oath contained two rules, one prohibiting a magician from revealing the secrets behind an illusion to anyone who had not taken the Oath, and one that prohibited a magician from performing an illusion until she had mastered it well enough to conceal the trick.

The art of illusion was popular throughout Europe and the Americas, but it had its golden age from the Victorian Era until the time of Harry Houdini. Illusionists regularly played theaters packed with amazed audiences who stared in wonder as the performers appeared to defy the laws of physics.

In reality, magical illusions are based on gimmicks or tricks that are so well concealed that the audience cannot guess how they are done. Illusionists feared that if their tricks were exposed, audiences would no longer come. Competition among magicians also led some unscrupulous performers to steal the tricks behind popular illusions.

The Oath evolved into an early form of the Magician's Code, which said that only those professionals who had sworn not to reveal secrets could be allowed to learn certain illusions. Over the years, many magicians have broken the code, and some of the tricks behind classic Victorian illusions are now well known. Some of the older tricks have never been revealed, and modern illusionists guard their secrets carefully, ensuring that their shows will continue to provoke wonder.