[bsder]

> But what's the ramification if somebody figures a trick out and publishes it? It certainly isn't a crime.

Um, actually it can be. Many magic tricks can be both copyrighted and patented.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/teller-wins-lawsui...

[dTal]

As the article points out, magic tricks per se are not copyrightable. What are copyrightable are performative works, that may include magic tricks.

The distinction is subtle - it means you're perfectly free to "steal" an (unpatented) method, provided you use it in a different act.