Karaoke Forums

I got a call from Tony at Stellar Records, today. They are releasing their monthly downloads available on mp3+g format, starting today. He stated that SC would probably soon follow. They are licensed under "Sing It Now Karaoke," instead of the Stellar Records label. Supposedly, they are better quality than the Wal-Mart type "Sing it Now" brand.

I thought all PC and CAVS users would be interested in this news.

He also told me about a great new technology that is in development phase that will change the way we buy karaoke forever. It will make it easier to license songs for karaoke use, getting rid of the need for sync rights. PM me for the details, since I don't want to publicly post the details.

GOOD STUFF!

Why a PM? Why not just post? Or better yet repost the email that was sent?

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

why pm you for the details.

this is a karaoke forum. state it outright.

I find it hysterical that PHM is going the route of MP3Gs... especially after their big "we'll sue you" B.S. that they pulled a year ago.

Alright FINE drag it outta me!

They will release (a year or so out) audio only tracks. You will have to download an open source plug-in that will connect you to a server that contains the graphics file specific to the brand of audio cd you purchased. With the metadata burned to the disc and in the graphics download it will automatically marry the two files together and you have the same type of file you use now. They only have to get the music rights for the songs instead of the sync rights. Tony told me that KJ's could request songs to be made and they only have to pay for the royalties for the audio as they sell them. No more paying for 5000 units to get the rights to a song.

This means more songs, cheaper songs and maybe piracy will be dwindled down since you could only download the graphics file for the discs you purchase. (probably some kind of code with the purchase.) He also said that SC and Chartbuster are also on board to help develop this technology.)

I am excited about this and so should every KJ around.

Sounds good if they can stick to the plan.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

I'll keep my fingers crossed ! It just seems like when they think they've got it figured out, they come along with some new legality to stop it.

Thank you for the post and keeping us in the loop- it is excellent news. Please keep us updated.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

it DOES sound sweet!

thanks dude!

Dollars to donuts pirates are already working on a workaround.

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hi-voxentertainment

There is nothing to work around, once it's downloaded to your computer, it could still be burned/copied - unless they have some kind of protection in the file itsef, but have never heard of anything like that.
It looks like the reason they are doing this is to be able to release more songs that normally may not be licenseable. But do not understand how they could skirt the sync rights by releasing the lyrics after the music purchase. Betting this won't fly with the publishers & will be stopped before it gets started.

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

Lonman is exactly correct, What the manufacturers are trying to do is put out more music. If you don't get permission for the synch licensing. the compulsary licensing is vitually nothing and no permission is needed. What the manufacturers seem to be neglecting to say is. while it relieves them of some liability it creates almost all the liability on the KJ that zipps those 2 files to create the finished product. Once you've done that you become the manfacturer of a product that violates the synch licensing. which puts most of the liability on you, however I'm sure there are still things that would be considered to be a liablity words like intent to create an illegal product or colusion or complicite, might be things the music and graphice makers might have to deal with, but YOU now have to deal with the unlicensed karaoke version. I can only imagine that with the synch licensing being upheld by the supreme court, and for those of you that think denying to here a case is different than upholding the lower courts decision, your wrong, so just beware that all these karaoke manufacturers that have been sued, which is all of them, it has been for the synch licensing copyright. So they have shifted that burden to YOU!! GOOD LUCK

I think this is the ONLY post phnxkj has ever made that I actually agree with.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

Not saying its not a good idea by no means but then the questions how many KJ want to spend the time putting the two together...personally I would rather by the Karaoke disc as is ...no offense ...anyone

Once again a new technology is deemed illegal before it even hits the shelves. It seems that people are scared of a newer and better way of doing things. We should all leave the legal stuff to the lawyers and judges. I thought it would be a great way for us to get songs that we, otherwise couldn't get.

I guess it's true what they say: Everyone's an expert.

It's not a matter of newer or better technology. It's a matter of ensuring proper payments to the copyright owners.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

So do you automatically A-S-S-U-M-E that Stellar, SC, and Chartbuster would be circumventing the "proper" procedure for licencing? I thought they were "trusted" companies.

The production companies won't release certain songs for karaoke because there is more money in litigation than selling a few thousand copies of a karaoke song, FACT.

They are beyond greedy and impossible to deal with. Sure, piracy is to blame for some of the problems, but GET OVER IT and let the fans sing the music that they love.

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I wonder how many people hear a song at a karaoke venue and go buy the CD because they liked the song.

How many kj's will spend the time, I think ALOT of the computer users will utilize this. It's not that hard to combine a file & then either zip it or leave it in its own folder with the 2 files. You get the music file download & then get the lyrics (just like any mp3G), it will most likely be named the same as it needs to be & if it isn't you just rename it. Not hard at all & "disc" users may be out of luck on some of the "newer" stuff as it could be only available in a download form for certain songs...and possibly the way the industry is headed. So disc users may be behind the times at some point in the future. It will be interesting to see if the legalities shift from the manu to the kj though.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

I, too, take much of what Phxkj posts with a grain of salt. I believe that he is correct is suggesting that the manufacturers, if they take the herein discussed approach, will technically shift compliance with the synch copyright law(s) from themselves to "John Q Public".

Now, the question is whether the copyright holders have the right to or will decide to pursue "John Q. Public" who has karaoke files produced in this "new" format? Economically, that wouldn't be practical. And it would be, IMHO, a public relations fiasco to do so. Furthermore, if they pursue the users of synchronized karaoke products, wouldn't they be forced to also bring into question the use of copyrighted songs as background music for home movies or videos?

Of course, professional use of such karaoke files is a whole different matter! But imagine going after KJ's.

I' not so sure if it would shift to the public, the manus are still supplying all the necessary files to make the song & will obviously have instructions on how to combine. I would believe the liability would still rest on them ultimately. Would be very surprised if it would shift to the kj.

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

one of my local suppliers mentioned last week that they now have the ability to sell the karaoke tracks as mp3s... VERY interesting!!

I have to say this would not be the first time Stellar and SC have been wrong, or did something they thought was legal and found out later it was not. I will remain guarded on this new technology.

It's a step in the right direction though! It shows that they are trying to make songs available in digital format. This is very different from their previous stance.

For now it will not change the way I purchase music.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott