Madhatter Magic has now joined a list of many of magicians and business in our community that has been using unethical practices. It has come to my attention that Madhatter Magic is selling a rip off version of Dean Dill’s Dean’s Box calling it “Chinese Rope Box” and has been listed on Google search as “Generic Dean’s Box”. The product which is still listed on their website, found here, even describes the items as being “The same as Dean’s Box”.
The photo shows that the fake box (seen on the left) is almost identical to the original and official Dean’s Box (seen on the right). Although upon close inspection of the photos you can see the craftsman ship and attention to detail is much lower on the Madhatter fake.
Apparently this has been brought to the attention of Madhatter Magic, although by the description on their website it appears they knew they were ripping off Dean Dill’s idea. Madhatter Magic’s response was apparently that “everyone else is doing it” and that “it’s not illegal”.
Pete Biro sent off an angry e-mail and this is the response he recieved from Madhatter Magic
“Well Pete you made my point, “I know a couple of buyers of the Chinese Dean’s Boxes have had quality problems too.” Obviously you are aware that there is a demand for this product, and that your friends purchase these. The one’s we sell have been inspected and are of good quality. Since you are a manufacturer, I totally understand your point of view that Chinese knockoffs are taking money out of your pocket. Probably every US manufacturer can relate to that. As far as, ” There is also the issue of keeping money in America to keep it strong as well.”, that is probably not the public sentiment judging by the crowds at Wal-Mart. This issue has been debated ad nauseum as far as imports. Everyone has a different view.
Intellectual Property???? Wasn’t the idea for the Dean’s Box originally Elizabeth Warlock’s from her rope tray? What about the Dean’s Beads is that a rip off of an Asian product? I’m not here to create further controversy, but no one has absolute clean hands in this business. Some think they walk on water, but I assure you that is not the case.
Dean makes a very fine product. I’m not taking anything away from him at all. The Asian product is available in the USA. It is a legal product. The consumer can find and buy it whether I sell it or not. Not everyone is rich and can plop down $350 for a magic trick. I understand that and I offer the consumer a choice. You may not like it, but as you admit your friends buy these products. As long as there is consumer demand these products will exist.”
So take it as you will. If you are like me, you are going to see this as unethical and wrong. Madhatter has joined the list, that’s too bad for them.
If you are interested in buying Dean’s Box, make sure you head over to Dean Dills site and get it from the original creator himself http://www.deandill.com/deans_box.html