Karaoke Forums

Perhaps there is no extradition in Canada..

When it comes to DJ music, and even karaoke music for that matter, the letter of the law may say one thing, but the enforcement of the law is another thing entirely.

It is CURRENTLY illegal for unmarried couples to have sex in Connecticut, or for bars in Nebraska to serve beer unless their bar also offers soup, or for anyone under 18 to play pinball in South Carolina. We don't make up forums questioning if we are going to get prosecuted for laws that are only enforced when the perpetrator is OBVIOUSLY abusing the spirit of the law. So don't obviously abuse the spririt of any law, and you're good to go. Don't even subtlely abuse the spirit of any law, like most of the people on this board who seem to be looking for loopholes more than caring about WHY the laws are in place. If you THINK you might be breaking the law, you probably are.

You could sum this entire "KARAOKE LEGALITIES" forum with these TWO single points of fairly common sense:

1) Buy your music from a licenced source
2) Make sure your venue is paying it's licencing fees

Do those two things, and you will not get prosecuted at your small-time weekly karaoke show or DJ gig. Every other detailed explination of the intricricies of the public performance, copyright, and trademark law is, frankly, a big waste of time.

Can we just make the above a sticky and close this forum...

_________________
C Mc
KJ, FL

Sorry but:
1) Buying your music from a licensed source will not keep you from getting named in a law suit.
2 ) Making sure your venue is paying it's licensing fees will not keep you from getting named in a law suit.

Even HarringtonLaw has stated that there are no assurances that you might not get named if an investigator does a poor job.

_________________
I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

...Well (an awfully deep subject), I just got off the phone with the RIAA Lead Investigator. I wanted answers to what is legal and what is not when it comes to MUSIC (Non-Karaoke). During the conversation I specifically asked if it was OK for me to rip my Legally Purchased Copyrighted Music Discs and play them at a Commercial Venues off of a Computer or any Other Digital Player. I also asked if I could join an Authorized/Legal DJ Pool Site and or use Legally Purchased MP3 Music Downloads from Legally Approved Sites as long as I kept my receipts. The answer was YES as long as the Hosting Venue has paid their Appropriate Music (Performing Rights) Licenses! However, he did say they could go after a KJ/DJ that doesn't have proof of any of their non-karaoke music.

...As for Karaoke, he stated that it's in a different area that they don't specifically look for or police. On a side note, he did state that they're mainly focusing on those who sell and or buy from Non-Authorized Sellers of BOTH Karaoke and Non-Karaoke Music, along with venues who don't have proper licenses.

....Of course he did mention I-Tunes (personally, I don't have any karaoke or music downloads) but he stated that people do use them but you should read the fine print "Private Use Only" "Not For Commercial Use" (most people don't read the fine print). He can't speak for Apple's I-Tunes but if you bought them, as long as you have a receipt. As for any site that states "Not For Commercial Use" you will have to deal with them if caught using them in a commercial environment. BUT, BUT most likely the worst they can do to you is cancel your subscription. Again, most likely, that's PROBABLY the worst they would do to you. Their main objective is the PIRATES!

...For me, I wanted to just be safe and have piece of mind! NONE of the above is legal advice from me. I'm not in law enforcement nor am I a lawyer. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the RIAA at (202)775-0101 or contact an IP Lawyer.

I never said you wouldn't get named in a suit, I said you wouldn't get prosecuted. Getting named in a law suit is a far cry from being prosecuted criminally or losing a civil suit.

I could name OJ Simpson in a law suit saying he owes me $4,000. Seriously, once The Juice is loose, I'll sue!

Kidding, of course, but anyone can sue anyone for anything. My advise above was intended to keep you from LOSING suits, not for avoiding them.

_________________
C Mc
KJ, FL