Karaoke Forums

BULL POOP!! If a guy has Ten million songs, and just started out, he is more than likely a pirate. If a guy has a couple thousand songs, he owns them, legally. What would be the sense in only pirating a few songs. Either go big or go home.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

To not appear as a pirate for example?

What about the rest of my posting that you ripped out of context? No comment on that?

I have seen pirated rigs with JUST SC songs in the past, no other - probably about 18000 total - so the 'go big' part falls along the wayside here, or they were just stupid pirates (not that there are smart ones). I have seens pirated rigs with maybe 20-30K - which isn't completely out of line for some hosts - I know a couple disc based only hosts that have more than 150K total (dups included) and don't use a computer. I know a kj that has been in business for over 20 years, his library used to be all disc, he bought a hard drive a few years back and now has over 100K songs, but he only had maybe 8K during all that time so his library should have been MUCH bigger with discs.
Size don't mean anything, a large library can be obtained through kj's going out of business, used sources, buying up as many bulk packs regardless of quality. I know 1 KJ that used to post on this very forum a few years back, just starting out & was up to over 50K songs in less than 6 months - on disc, but used a computer. Bought up used sets, connected with out of business kj's, etc. So yes a newbie starting out CAN obtain large amounts of music.
But then I have to ask, size of library now no longer being a factor in determining length of time in the biz, how is one to determine that?

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

First thing, do you have any proof of them actually having a deal with the UK manus?? Second, YOU were the one who said that PHM wasn't doing audits at this time. According to their site it seems that they are separating from Stellar. NOT everybody rips, steals and sells karaoke tracks. Yes we DO have the choice of not playing any manu we see fit not to play.

I, in good faith have bought all my music, and will use it in good faith. But I will not submit to audits, and will not pay more than what I originally paid for that music. If SC can't understand that or can't accept that, then I will not use their product, or buy their product. The problem is that there are others who are also boycotting them. Over time that might grow. That only hurts them more than they have already been hurt. That is illogical.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I essentially did what Lonnie pointed out. I went from a few hundred tracks to over 44,000 tracks in a 6 months period. lots of dupes of course, but it cam from acquiring discs from eBay, Craigslist and a few former KJ's.

Pirates my be thieves, but that doesn't mean they are stupid The smart ones grab only the tracks that will get sung. Lonnie and several others have pointed out that there is a relatively small number of songs that get repeatedly sung over and over compared to the number of tracks that actually exist. There is a difference between "having every song that COULD be requested" and "having the songs that are the most likely to be requested".

I reset Karma for this new gig and plan of sifting through the tracks on a quarterly basis to pull stats on the most requested songs. I may even sell of the discs that never get played to recoup some of my investment.

-Chris

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-Chris

Then play on disc and no audits need to be done, no money out of pocket & that be that!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

And that's exactly what I said. It is your choice and that's totally ok.

I chose for myself to go through the voluntary audit and pay the $125 in fees and get it over with, so that neither I or any of my venues get involved in a law suit. That was my choice. And it really doesn't hurt me financially. I work 5 nights a week at $200-$250 a pop and do private parties at least 1-2 times a month for $100/hour and up. The $125 in fees is just another cost of doing business and is even tax deductible; REALLY not a big deal at all. And my customers appreciate that I still use SC tracks, while other KJ's in the area dropped them.

I recall that Sound Choice made a statement to this so I googled and found this.

"Since investigators for Sound Choice discovered a growing level of Sunfly Karaoke, Zoom Entertainment and Mr. Entertainer songs being played, they are in discussions with these UK companies to represent their Intellectual Property interests in the U.S., with possible lawsuits for these brands in the future."

Here is the link I found this on.

http://www.nwkaraokeguide.net/washingto ... -northwest

I think this is the second time you have suggested this. The PHM site hasn't changed in two years except to update their monthly discs. I would like to know how you derive that PHM is separating from Stellar.

PHM is a Stellar brand just like a Mustang is a Ford brand.

-Chris

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-Chris

They do update their website each month and it's most likely the line

While Pop Hits Monthly is no longer producing products exclusively for Stellar Records under the Pop Hits Monthly brand name, it is still continuing its tradition of releasing karaoke products each and every month and is currently releasing products in three genres (Pop, Country, & Urban) with other genres being planned for the near future. Each disc contains the month's biggest and most requested hits licensable in an OSL (on-screen lyrics) karaoke format by Pop Hits Monthly. Look for the “Powered by Pop Hits Monthly” logo on other brands as well.

on the front page that is being referred to, however I read this to mean that PHM is also supplying their music to other labels with the line

Look for the “Powered by Pop Hits Monthly” logo on other brands as well. Meaning to me that they are branching out, but they still retain their rights, they aren't splitting off from Stellar - Stellar IS Pop Hits Monthly.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I am just going by what I read on the site.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

....I've enjoyed meeting people here and learning more about the technical side of karaoke. And even though I'm kicking myself for jumping back into the business and throwing around a lot of my cash-ola into it without seeing what has really been going on. I DO NOT nor will I put myself in the following statement:
quote: The result is that everybody happily copies, shares and even sells copies everywhere left and right :end of quote ...I'm assuming this was a general statement thrown out there.

....But I've never done it and never will. No offense but that's not me. You want it? Go buy it! No, I will not trade, share, burn, upload, download or whatever. If I get tired of one of my authentic cdg's or want to trade or sell one of my authentic cdg's then that's a different story.

....I have never had a problem with the audits or showing my CDG's. Been there and done that. I've stated that many times here, over and over. In my lifetime, I've already been audited twice by the IRS. However, I just don't like giving away my rights and liberties (not being able to defend myself on neutral grounds and or opening up my books) to just anybody. Are there any rights and privacy left? Crap!

....During my time here, I've never called anyone foolish (or any other name/s) for going through any audits with any manufacturers, nor do I plan on it. As a matter of fact, I've given them the thumbs up. On the flip side, I do not believe anyone has given me a hard time because I haven't gone through Sound Choice's Audit System and I appreciate that.

....I just don't want to have a lawsuit thrown at me for something that I know I didn't do and have to spend more valuable time and money (perhaps everything I own) defending myself. Yes, I could decide to just drop SC entirely or change my mind about the entire karaoke business I've been building. Don't think I haven't thought about it! Technicalities in court have decided many cases one way or another and it's everyone's choice to decided what they're willing to risk.
....If you think I've been trying to "stir the pot" through some of my postings here, I'm sorry and apologize. I can be somewhat sarcastic at times, but I just wanted to make some new friends and see what's been going on in the Karaoke World since I left it in 2001.....I sincerely thank you for your time.

Yes, it was a general statement. I had no intention to accuse anyone here personally, at all. My apologies if it came across that way.

It was meant in general because it seems like this is what is going on in the world out there right now. I know of at least 6 KJ's in my area where this behavior is as normal as eating three meals every day, unfortunately. But from what I heard from SC, they're going to have to deal with the consequences soon enough as SC is investigating in my neck of the woods right now.

You are cool in my book. I don't have a problem with either kind of host, either. If people want to certify, have at it. If people don't, have at it. Hell, if you want to steal music, have at it, but don't come crying if you get caught. AND don't accuse everyone of stealing, if they aren't. Yes, I have "happily" media shifted all my music, except for my 28 SC discs, because I have gotten permission to do so FOR FREE, and without audits. But I haven't stolen, sold, traded or lent anything I have ripped. Yes, I had borrowed a friend's discs and ripped them, but after all the crap I got for it here I deleted every one of those tracks and started buying sets. I am in collecting mode, now, and have 1381 unique songs, not counting my SC, that I will only be using for personal use.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

....No, dude(hope I can call you dude). I really figured you were just doing that. Hopefully we're cool. I know a lot of things get tossed around here and there at the forum. Most of what I post about is out of curiosity, sometimes the sarcastic comments, not meant to hurt anyone.
....In reality, I do wish they would throw the book at every pirate out there! I do miss those 90's prices that we used to be able to charge. I am amazed at how you can get 200-250 per night. Need some help? When I started back doing commercial venues, they complained about asking $125.00 per night for Mon-Thurs shows.

Or you could just get certified and not worry about it.

By the way, our investigators do not bring original discs to shows.

What, they bring burns and test KJs?? Hmm, isn't that entrapment??

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I didn't say that.

But even if that were something we did, it would still not be entrapment. Entrapment is a defense to a criminal prosecution, and this is a civil matter.

And even if the entrapment defense were applicable to civil matters, it would still not be entrapment, for various reasons.

....Well that is good to know. Seriously! It's not like I don't want SC in my library because I do. Could I get by without them? Sure I have enough of other brands to cover most of my SC CDG's but I've gotten so used to them going all the way back to my earlier days/years. My SC CDG total is around 314 (give or take, minus the 5 or so utility discs) which gives me around 4800 SC tracks or just under. The only reason I don't or haven't (which I was just about to call SC a few weeks back) schedule an audit is because of the wording in the agreement that must be signed by the KJ. I do want SC to know what I have so it lowers my chances of getting caught up in a situation that I should not be in or accused of.
....I also enjoy using the computer now and am good with PHM and CB. SC is the only one that I need to get an audit with for media-format shifting permission. But, if it's going to be something that we just can't agree on, then I do still have the option of playing the original cdg's, correct?

....So, since you're here could you please tell me or find the answer to the following question: I have a cdg player but I would rather leave it in the van/trailer and only use it as a back-up in the event my laptop/software player fails me (the software plays several different formats, including cdg's). So, can I legally play SC Original CDG's on my laptop? I've heard others' opinions and even looked it up at the KIAA site and it appears that it's approved to do so but I would rather hear it from you.....Thank you.

"I am just going by what I read on the site."

That seems to be a part of the problem. Have you read the Copyright Act or the Trademark Act? If not, I would suggest you do so.

As for a customer bringing in their own disc, Is it really hard to say Suzie is going to sing "Goodbye Earl" off her own disc?

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