Dutch illusionist Hans Klok may no longer use an act developed by Belgian conjurer Rafael van Herck, a court in The Hague ruled on Wednesday.

The ban is worldwide and subject to a fine of €5,000 every time it is broken, the court said.
The illusion involves a combination of ‘head drop’ (the head of an assistant falling on to a tray) and ‘hand through body’ and is therefore subject to copyright, the court said.
A large part of the hearing took place behind closed doors so that the details of the tricks involved in the routine remained secret, the Telegraaf said.