Karaoke Forums

It was my understanding that the US opted out of the worldwide agreements because the artists did not get the same compensation and control of their work from the UK system as they do in the US. So it wouldn't be the UK manufacturers that would care, it would be the rights holders in the US. ASCAP et al are performance licenses and not manufacturing/distribution licenses--so even if they are paid, the artist is still getting less compensation than if their work was licensed in the US. Now how much anyone cares and who they would go after, I don't know. But it would seem to put the responsibility on the one importing the discs.

I don't have to be the one who is correct on all this--I just want to know the answer myself. If Mr. Harrington wants to say I'm full of it and misunderstood, that is fine with me. There were some sections of U.S. copyright law I was checking that I don't have time to go back and find as it is 60's night tonight and it will take me several hours to fit into my old mini-skirt (no, not an image you want in your head). But I seem to recall reading that the import laws were different for download vs. CDG. And is there a royalty fund a U.S. distributor can pay into in order to import foreign made CDGs?

I know this is an old thread, but there is more to it than meets the eye fellas:



During our discussions with some of the major US publishers, we asked about Tricerasoft as a vehicle to distribute our tracks to USA. The answer was not only negative, but we were warned of impending action against them and advised to steer clear. It's obvious to us that the only way we can sell to the US is to make agreements to US publishers and secure worldwide rights which they offer.



This statement was confirmed to us as 100% accurate.



At least one of the major publishers said that this not true and they would never be approved until paying back royalties.

Talk about a minefield!

PRS doesn't cover US and Canada.
UK manus supply Tricerasoft in Canada.
Tricerasoft sells to US and worldwide and claims everything is legal.

So then I was looking at the Karaoke Cloud model and see they have tracks by the same manus and even offer tracks from DK karaoke http://www.acekaraoke.com/sdtegc0100.html#.U5GNbC9htv9. DK Karaoke? I personally own the 1-99 series and recall that they stopped trading several years ago. The company that owns that brand is one of the biggest karaoke companies in the world. My wife is Japanese and she sent an inquiry to them to see if we could make a deal to offer their tracks in Europe. They said they have no licences or interest in reviving the US catalogue and that anything other than original pressed CDG discs are illegal!

The customer just wants to buy with confidence and go on with their business...

To be continued....

That's some very interesting stuff there. Thanks!

WHAT, where is my shocked face? All those SCDG discs that everyone claimed to be legal really aren't?

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

I wish not only to thank DMX for the post above, but to welcome them - enthusiastically - to the forum!

I am also glad that they have confirmed my statements regarding downloads.
More importantly, they are passing on the fact that someone DOES care about their use, and folks should be careful.

Either way, it's confusing and litigous times like these that make me feel more comfortable as an OMD - based host.

_________________
"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Well, until someone comes up to me and says "Hey you can't use those" I will keep on using them. Same thing with my Tricerasoft and KV downloads.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I am forgoing the downloads from tricerasoft until further notice. I will continue to use the downloads I already have but won't be using a feature that my software has until the licensing issues are resolved.

_________________
The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

That don't suprise me in the least.

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

I paid for EVERY song I have. I did my part. If they didn't do their part, it is not my problem. Simple as that. You can post up your snide comments, it matters not.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Paid for illegal copies of songs.

No difference between those CD's in a plastic package than the files on a craigslist HD.

_________________
Never the same show twice!

Like I said, whan someone in AUTHORITY has something to say about it, I will quit using them. Until then, oh well. I have bought nearly 500 Triserasoft downloads, and nobody has ever told be to stop. I buy songs from them, KV, Allstar, and occasionally DTE.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

No different than buying stolen property, whether or not you knew it was stolen.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

Where did SCDGs come into this? From what I just read, I see DMX mentioned that he noticed Karaoke Cloud is offering DK in a DOWNLOADED format, and DK said the following:

Hold on a moment. I think there is a substantive difference between buying a product at a plausible price from a company that openly sells it under color of license, and (for example) buying a product at an extreme discount that couldn't possibly reflect actual licensing.

Thanks Joe... much appreciated. Look, I am not really interested in the past. I am interested in the present and future! SCDG? Forget it! It was probably never legit. I am interested in legally delivering karaoke content to the US market... end of story! My only reason for bringing up the DK situation was that KCloud was touting itself as being the "legal" alternative to all the other alternatives and it was surprising to me to learn that they were touting a library in digital format that is illegal. Tricerasoft gave me concerns from the start and was confirmed by the publishers.. I am still working away at this and will keep you posted....

This whole thing is so crazy. What you thought was legal is really illegal; what you thought was illegal is really legal. Just totally crazy. Than again, this has been going on for many, many years.

Laws need to be changed; a standard needs to be made. (Haven't we all been saying that?). BUT.... it doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon. Karaoke is not considered a priory by the courts and it will probably take years, and I mean many, many years if anything is going to change at all. Things will probably never change.

So, in the meantime... go ahead and enjoy your Tricerasoft downloads and your DK Millennium Super CDG's. After all, you bought them in good faith from a retailer (like Amazon) or a company thought to be legitimate. Who are you to question their legality. Wouldn't you just assume that everything is good?

Like I said, the whole thing is crazy. And this war will continue for many, many years. Something probably that your kids will be dealing with too.

So, in the meantime, don't make yourself sick over the situation. Just do what you do and have fun. Don't worry, be happy.

Now, I'm going to Tricerasoft to see what I can download. Bye!

Oh and for what it's worth to you, Tricerasoft's downloads are, I repeat ARE legal for use to put on shows in the U.S. Have a nice day.

_________________
Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

That's exactly where it came from. Anything OTHER than the original PRESSED 'cdg' discs are illegal. Meaning that includes downloads and the SCDG discs that everyone get's off e-bay for pennies on the dollar.

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

The words you use in your response have all the makings of a hit country song. With the title being "Pennies On The Dollar". I love it.

This is what makes you the Lonman! The Big L. A giant among men. A man in which other men look to for leadership and guidance. A man by which all men are measured. A legend in your own time. I am truly impressed.

_________________
Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

Yes.... that's what you should keep telling yourself, if it works for you Take advantage of their service for as long as you can because it won't be around for long