Karaoke Forums

I have people taking pictures of the screen all the time. Mostly, because the screen shows "now appearing on stage", then the person's name. I get groups in that take a picture of the person singing with the screen in the background. Got paranoid (at first), then figured, oh well, the MOST I can be charged with is media shifting, and there's basically nothing I can do about that. I've paid for ALL of my discs, and am 1:1. As far as I'm concerned, (since I'm the ONLY one in my area who can say the same), that's good enough for me. I'm NOT going to get paranoid every time a person takes a picture with their cell phone. If so, I might as well shut it down. If anyone wants to see my 12, or 14,000 songs, no problem.....but I'm not paying for it.

Srnitynow

So in all fairness, since you are requesting that someone here stop assuming that people are stupid, I am requesting the same thing of you... Please stop assuming that people you don't know, who come to a show and ask for a specific brand to sing from, are either investigators or spoiled.

Wanna make a bet???

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

And how did you know/find out the name of the PI firm? If there were people coming to your show/s as a PI, they wouldn't be identifying themselves as such.

Our position is that if you own all the original discs and are 1:1 why would anyone ever wish to cause you problems. That would be awful. you should be able to do whatever you want with them. You did not pay for the plastic, you paid to listen to the song. Unfortunatly, the laws are open to people interpreting them and out of all the people we have spoke to, none of them seen a problem with doing what you wish with the discs. The only thing we know is if you put it on a computer, you MUST never use the physical discs at the same time. It's one or the other.

Does this mean we are right? No, Does this mean we are wrong? No. Does it mean we are using common sense and would never wish to scare consumers into thinking they can't copy their discs to the drive.

Manufacturers sell players with instructions on how to upload discs, karaoke discs manufacturers like PHM sell karaoke discs that you load onto a computer. So that's when it gets awful to even think that any kj would have an issue with being 1:1 compliant. I thinnk the focus should be on Sellers who peddle loaded drives where they never purchased discs/give discs with it, and kj's who have loaded computers and no proof of having discs, etc.

And for the record, I am completely stumped that we keep hearing that digitrax is only for home use, yet they are targeting professional kj's to beta test the product (read it somewhere and can't remember we we seen it). This is speculation on our part due to bits and pieces of information given.

EX MILITARY

"In life, you simply must abide by one rule. To do right by your fellow man. To follow the straightest path you know or believe in. Cannot ask more of any person"

MADPROAUDIO,

Just for clarification how do you suppose the manufacture tell those hosts that are 1-1 from those who have a pre-loaded drive with no discs ? Do you have any other suggestions besides audits ? You post in a intelligent and concise manner and I appreciate your posts

Athena

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"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

If I had that range I would gladly - I could a few years back, ok QUITE a few years back . Even many real artists sing their own songs in a dropped key live.

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

Really? Huh! I would think that they would stay anonymous since they are supposed to be undercover.


Still think it's paranoia personally.

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

Our experiences tell us that anyone with a large library would be suspect. (of course does not imply all) I honestly believe that the horror stories we have heard about strong arm tactics are awful in their own right. If I were out there kj'n with a computer, I would boldly have signs in plain vue expressing my support against piracy and an open inventation for anyone to pick at least 10 songs they would like to investigate, give me the listing that night and I must produce proof of purchase, original discs within 24hrs. No cost to me, just a token of good will showing that I care and am not stealing music. I do not support the sue now and then ask questions later. Honest people will gladly support the manufacturers efforts. Yet when those efforts become scare tactics, you find more and more people are resistant to the idea.

EX-MILITARY
2006 Lifetime Achievement Award

" In life, we are faced with having to understand that not all are like you. That your convictions and belief's are not always the same for others. Example; Let's say that there are people terrorizing your neighborhood and someone is outside being beat within an inch of their life. You have the choice to hide in your house, or go out there knowing your life is put in danger and do what you believe to be right. Protect your fellow man. Although I would be saddened to know that no one else stepped outside to help, I cannot force others to hold my standards, levels of tolerance, etc. Must continue to educate through kindness and lead by example"

Thank you for your reply and clarification While I would like to think that there are more honest people out there personal experience in our local area have proven otherwise . I do very much wish that more hosts would use the methods you propose after watching these forums and the legal battles for over 2 years(and being named ourselves) I don't believe it will happen until the consequences are heavier for those who chose to just ignore the situation.

BTW...love your tag line
Athena

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

We are new to forums. Does tag line mean the bottom portion I wrote in blue? If so, you will notice everytime I write something, I most often automatically give a personal thought in blue.

EX MILITARY - FAMILY OPERATED

"In life, we pray for those that walk the same tough path we have. As always, you are not alone no matter how unpopular your convictions are with others. All that matters is that you genuinly believe in them and are unwaivered by others"

Athena, some "red flags" to identify pirates are : advertises 100,000 song library. Doesn't use books, "just tell me the song, I have it". Has multiple venues on the same nights. Brags about having every karaoke song there is, and tries to sell you a copy of their harddrive. Admits when asked if they have a disc for all of their songs, that they don't. most pirates in my area, are blaitantly working out in the open, and are proud of it. So if the investigator sees a guy who advertises 10,000-15,000 songs, has books, and if asked "do you have this song" and are told "if it ain't in the book, I don't have it", pretty sure they're NOT A PIRATE. Why would they have 100,000 songs and only use 10,000? Also using the most costly hosting program, good equipment, etc. the person advertising 100,000 songs with multiple venues MIGHT be legit, but I'd think if I were an investigator, I'd check that guy first. Why waist resources on someone who PROBABLY is legit? JMO

Srnitynow

Yes MadProAudio, your tag line is the thought in blue

Athena

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

The owner of the PI firm introduced himself to me. And he's a pretty good guy. He was just trying to inform me on what documentation I should have available at my shows if asked for proof of certification. The PI's that work for him go out on their own and do investigating with no set schedule. That's why I had so many around. But, as I said before, I have nothing to hide. It just gets tiring.

Still a PI hired by another company (beit SC, attorney, private individual) is not going to tell anyone who they are to the person they are supposed to be investigating if they want to keep their job - ie PRIVATE investigator. I think this guy was yanking your chain and wasn't real.

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

Srnitynow,
Your red flags list is a very good one and I agree with most of the flags you listed. We own and operate a multi-rig system and are often at more than 1 location on the same night (we have 3 systems with separate libraries). We also have large books for each system
We do understand WHY we were named and, hope that everyone sees how quick we were to get our audits done and prove we owned our discs and were 1-1.

It still amuses me at quick the HD purchasers are to brag about the fact if you just let them speak. No books, no audience monitors and "just ask for anything we have it' talk just about proves the morals of a "non complaint" HD user.

Athena

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

Were you ever named in one of these SC lawsuit?

No. I bought them because I wanted the music.

Believe it nor not, that actually might be a true story (Giving it a 20% chance . We have done investigations and have actually run into people who were selling pirated material and could easily see through interaction with them that they were not aware that they were doing wrong and then made a decision to take a risk and openly confront them and give them the warning of what to look for, why what they have is a problem, and how it effects the legit sellers / kjs. (This is a super rare example as normally would never help someone correct that due to the fact that most investigations have clearly shown that the seller had a total lack of regard to others livelyhoods).

Anyone remember a site called musicuniverse? They were a seller that made up a really cool looking / legit looking site where you could purchase loaded karaoke/dj drives for under $1,000.00 Even boldly advertising in their song listings the discs codes from Soundchoice, Chartbuster, Pophitsmonthly, etc. They are no longer in business after a couple year investigation I believe. These people are a prime example of what destroys the economy, legit businesses, legit kj's. Many consumers would challenge us in saying, why would they buy the legit package your pushing when places like musicuniverse was giving you tens of thousands of more music for a couple hundred dollars more!

EX MILITARY - A FAMILY WHO TAKES PRIDE IN EVERYTHING WE DO

"In life, my family expresses to me that people take advantage of your good will. That I am in the wrong generation. That people do not respect those who risk to help others. I simply explain to my family that unfortunatly, I cannot change the person I am, it truly is something I was born with. If I help 100 people and I am burnt 2 times out of the hundred. Do I not find accomplishment in the sucessful help given to the 98 and would actually be wrong to allow the 2 that burnt me to change something you were born with. It's a blessing and a curse. Thrive on the happiness you get in doing things for others and do not allow those that burn and leave scars to change the good deeds that many others need and appreciate"

so here is a yes or no answer that you will refuse to answer.......

i found a track tonight that has a really bad skip to the point of being un-usable.
i am causing SC less damage and costing SC less money than an un-certified host with a perfect rip? how?

as i said, you will not answer, but thought i would put it out there for everyone to see.

just bumping from before as you never answered

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens