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I just bought 3 sound choice disks from what I thought was one of the major (legit) online outlets that I have bought hundreds of SC disks from before.

Two of the three disks were in the "regular" packaging, jewel case etc. The third (8472, Rocky Horror picture show) was in a different format, (packaging wise).

It was in a plastic sleve instead of a jewel case, and the CD itself looked like it was on a CDR and not pressed (there are minor details to tell the differences around the hub that make the disks look different). While all the package material looked professional there were little differences from the regular SC disks.

I am wondering if this may be because it was a "specialty" disk or if it is a knockoff-copy.

The disk itself was had the artwork/text on it so that it was an all black disk with red and white text.

My question is has anyone seen similar packaging changes with SC disks, especially #8472 and if so do you know if they are legit or not.

I may be asking too many questions that I really dont want to know the answer....

pretty sure it came in a jewel case, unless specified and used

SC is switching to using the plastic sleeves. Just bought a Metallica (which is an older disc) direct from SC and it came in the sleeve. But the sleeve insert and disc label art were the same as if it had come in a jewel case.

Thanks, I think it is probably real if SC is now selling some disks dirrect in sleves (possibly reprints of some older disks like the one I bought)..


If it is a pirate copy then the person was pretty obsessive compulsive in terms of details, because it looks very professional in terms of the disk appearance and printing. Not normal traits for pirates.

I just bought a disk new and received it in a plastic sleeve. But it was the classic silver hard-to-emulate disk with black, red, and white printing. It was not a fully inked disk.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The artwork for this CD appears like it was a special edition in terms of SC and looks a bit different from most regular SC artwork:

http://www.karaokewh.com/item_details.cfm?ProdID=2472

I was just worried because of the different artwork AND the sleve that this was a bit unusual. I think the black disk was also a "special".

From Kurt Slep, CEO, Sound Choice

Hello and thank you for your interest and concern regarding counterfeit copies of our discs. We began using the new packaging and disc manufacturing with the release of our new Power Pick seris (#3500) in April 2009. Sales volumes do not warrant costly high volume pressings, so our manufacturer is making the new discs that you have been receiving. Also, with the increasing demand for older titles that have been out of print as KJs are slowly bringing their systems into compliance with 1:1, this is the only way that we can bring back older titles in lower quantities. The print quality and type is a special type that cannot be done on a "home burner", thus making it a little more difficult to create "knock-off" discs. Besides with the plethora of illegal hard drives loaded with our music, pirate resellers aren't bothering to go to the extra cost of knocking off discs, they are just loading up hard drives.

We hope to begin releasing songs in MP3+G format on a data disc soon, so visit our website at the end of April for information updates about that.

Kurt

Fred

Just out of curiosity, what would you have done if SC had told you the disc was NOT legit? And remember, you yourself were wondering if you weren't in fact asking TOO many questions.

And I agree, sometimes one can ask too many questions. IMHO, there are some of us that seem to be determined to ask too many questions regarding various products that are available on line. And in that regard, please note that what some have deemed to be "illegal" and/or "questionable" products are available in my local karaoke store.

So, might not the "bottom-line" question really be: Shouldn't we only buy directly from the manufacturer?

But what if the manufacturer doesn't sell direct to the public or is no longer in business?

Will there ever be an end to this "madness" about legitimacy? As I offered before, if you bought it in good faith, with no reason to believe it was not legit, than accept it in the spirit that you purchased it!

And, realistically, any opinion you would get other than from the "horses" mouth would be an opinion until supported by a proclamation from the "horse" ---- which you happened to have gotten in this instance.

If the disk was not legit I certainly would not buy any more disks from the store that sold the disk in question to me.

As for continuing to use the disk in question (a single disk) I probably would have continued to use it, as I did buy it from what appears to be a valid source, and I paid a reasonable price for the disk (17.95). I had also bought over 100 SC cds from this store previously that I have no reason to doubt thier validity. For this reason I pointedly did not mention the online store in my initial post because I did not want to slander the store if the disks turned out to be legit.

If I had bought many disks that turned out to be fakes (not just one) I probably would have returned them and demanded a refund.

I really do not know the legality of the matter, but I think that putting some effort into being legit can't hurt too much in court. Many people put in no effort or knowingly flaunt the law.

Thanks Kurt for clearing up this matter. While I agree his comment is the final word on the CD in question, I was re-assured on to the legitimacy of the matter by comments by other KJs that had bought similar CDs.

All of us who buy CDs are constantly asking the question, are they legit. Even going to the manu is not always going to be 100% sure because some manus are not legit and others claim to be manus but are merely re-packaging other pirated songs. Most of these "fake" manus are obvious frauds, but others hide the fact a little better.

We can only do our best and avoid buying disks/songs that a reasonable person in the field would strongly suspect as fake. The very good fakes sold for at or near full price are another matter, and I do not think we can go to extremes to be legit.

Anyone in any business has a responsibilty to be informed as to the legalities of running that business. I support Dr. Fred's position in not wanting to contribute to the problems that are facing this business right now.

I should probably have also prefaced my post with "Sound Choice announced on their site that they are switching to the sleeves." But I couldn't have commented on the disc manufacturing process (and didn't) and am grateful to SC for coming on here and explaining.

To each their own!

At the risk of repeating myself:

A few months back I bought a 3-disc, Chartbuster set at a fabulous price on e-bay.

At the time, discussions regarding counterfeit discs were appearing with some regularity on several forums.

Well, because of the opinions of so many "experts" regarding our individual responsibility for ferreting out bogus products, along with my heightened curiosity regarding the great "deal" that I had gotten, I was determined to be "hyper" vigilant regarding my order.

Well, the discs came in with no "code" on the inner ring, but they did have a TDK logo. Aha.... I had them. I was sold counterfeits. Right?

Wrong!

After providing all of the necessary information regarding this matter to Chartbuster, they concluded that the disc was counterfeit. Lastly, they requested the name of the vendor. Upon hearing the name of the vendor, HOWEVER, I was informed that the disc was IN FACT perfectly legit!

Don't we have enough challenges in running our businesses that we don't need to play Perry Mason and Sherlock Holmes? I wasted my time and got upset for absolutely no reason thanks to those who insist I have a responsibility to myself and the industry to be "hyper" vigilant regarding counterfeiting!

I decide how to run my business, and have never had a more perfect example of why I need to remember that than this experience. How easy it is to be swayed by people who proclaim to have expertise but have nothing more than opinions that are no more valid than my own!

One person recommends the "Dangerous" collection while another insists the current offerings are counterfeit. And on and on!

So enough questions already about what discs are legal and which aren't.

I posted this question @ SC Message Board, but no response yet, so I will post it here.
SC made in UK? I ordered a spotlight disc from DooWop.com based in Kentucky. Spotlight # 8941 (60’s & 70’s Hits). The disc I received (in plastic sleeve) was made from: (written on the disc plate) "Compiled and Produced by FSC-MediaPlas, New Milton, United Kingdom".

It looks like a copied disc, the front is way much much brighter than the original Spotlight colors red, white & black. Can’t help not to wonder if this CD is legit.

All of SC discs from 9000 on & the 3500 series are all UK made, it would only stand to reason their back catalog would be moved there as well & with what Kurt just described above that this would be a legit disc.

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

i can only hoope we all get legit.... im glad sound choice is doing what they can to get the market back into brining us music and hopefully less karaoke companys folding from piracy


cheers

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:angel:

Basically the same situation as I had here, you had your doubts (or other people convinced you you should have them), you did research and convinced yourself that the product was legit.

My point Dr Fred is that you had participated in the thread in which I ORIGINALLY shared my similar experience regarding a questionable Chartbuster 3-disc set with the forum.

So, I AGAIN just keep wondering when the fascination with PLAYING PERRY MASON AND SHERLOCK HOLMES will stop so we can all spend our times productively running our businesses?

When?

REFERENCE:
Dr Fred
Re: What is "legal" - truly?
This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies. Reply with quote Go to the bottom
PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:32 am

Wana buy a hard drive ?

lmao......what the he!! is with this we stuff?...