Karaoke Forums

You're absolutely right MrBoo. The vast majority of people who illegally obtain music through the internet or other means, would never go into a store and shoplift an item. They just have the wrong belief that because it is on the internet, it is free for the taking.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

This is the category i put myself into. I used to think stuff like "why should I have to buy the whole disc, when I just want to see if there is one song that is worth singing". And the popular but just as lame excuse "I'm poor, I can't afford to pay $25 for one karaoke disc. Sound Choice must be making millions if they are charging that.. They won't miss the sale from one person"



I used to also justify my actions that if I didn't like a track I had downloaded, I would immdiately delete it from my drive. But that didn't stop me from keeping the tracks that I did like. When I tried to become a host, I deleted every single track I had ever downloaded and borrowed the money to buy a starter library and equipment.

You are fortunate in that you know who your six customers are, and they would represent your suspects in finding out who distributed your product. The natural thing to do would be to sue all six so you can gain access to their computers to hunt for evidence. Chances are, you'll find something you can deem as suspicious on five of the six allowing you to continue the suit and press for a settlement.
However, your primary suspect and the first name on your lawsuit should be the friend who reported this to you in the first place since your friend admittedly hangs out in the sharing sites. Since your friend frequents sharing sites, this is obvious damning evidence that your friend is a pirate, and since you are friends with a pirate, it is also proof that you too are a pirate and one can only conclude that you must have sampled something from somebody else's work when writing your song and you will likely be sued for infringement as well.
The circle is complete, and Intellectual Property Law is functioning as designed; the lawyers make money and the creators pay for it.

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KNOW THYSELF

America! What a Country!

Then again, a true artists isn't in it for the money.

Unless an artist has a full time job or inherited money, they are in it for the money or they would never be able to afford to live.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

LOL! yeah they are! Probably out of a 1,000 artists, you might be able to count on one hand that aren't in it for the money!

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

But they all accept it when you pay them

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-Chris

Well, sure, money seems to make the world go 'round. But it's not money that causes someone to pick up an instrument or paintbrush and start making something beautiful. People create because there is something inside of them that they need to express. They create to stir up emotions in others; to create or explore the intagible commonalities of life, or because it's a lot of fun. Artists create art for the same reasons that flowers bloom. Selling one's property, be it "intellectual" or otherwise, is a business endeavor, or a legal matter, but not art. The label of "artists" is far too often slapped on anyone who performs, but art is a craft that has to be ispired and studied and cultivated.

I personally know hundred of artists who are not at all concerned with getting paid for their efforts. Many of them come to our shows, simply for the fun of performing and creating with like-minded people.

Sure that is how it starts, but the ultimate goal is to be able to sell your product & get paid. I've played in several bands, know many musicians (some national acts) and the bottom line is to make money with your product.

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

I always thought that guys picked up a guitar to pick up chicks? Now it's money they were after? I don't think so. Kurt Cobain had plenty of money.

Yes money is the bottom line - chicks are a fringe benefit.

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

Right. You get your money for nothing, and your chicks for free.

Or is it "checks"?

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

Chicks....checks....all the same...

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

how about the Czech chicks?

If you have the cheques.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

A careful Czech chick will check the cheques before going to buy Chex.

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

I think I'd rather just have some Chex Mix.

Make sure you put that Chex Mix in the 'boring' chip bag, otherwise everyone will be trying to grab some too!

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

It has been interesting to see the justifications for stealing someone else's property in this thread. The usual suspects were predictably in favor of justifying that is somehow okay. Others kind of surprised me.

It is unsettling to know how many people will simply feel it is okay to take and use something without feeling any accountability to compensate the person that put their time and energy into creating something.

Makes me wonder how many of those same folks would feel if someone camped out in their back yard or spare bedroom or used their car or credit cards without their permission. I mean, I just want to check out your credit to see how good it is, or what it is like, or how much I could buy. I don't mean any real harm, but since it is easy enough to do, why not?

It is super easy to justify things when they have zero material impact on you personally. I think it takes a bigger, more in touch person to stand up for others.

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-Chris