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Making my own karaoke song
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Author:  gpierce9 [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Making my own karaoke song
I would like to know if there is any bad legal things for the following. I bought about 90 songs on amazon.com for $1 each. Then I use Powerkaraoke software to change the key and tempo to match my voice. Then I have a CDG+3 two files. When i go camping, i bring my songs. Once in awhile I will go to a bar to sing my karaoke song. No one else sings my songs since I customized the song to my vocals.

Anything wrong with this? I haven't heard such. But just want to be sure. Thanks
Author:  Lonman [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
gpierce9 wrote:
I would like to know if there is any bad legal things for the following. I bought about 90 songs on amazon.com for $1 each. Then I use Powerkaraoke software to change the key and tempo to match my voice. Then I have a CDG+3 two files. When i go camping, i bring my songs. Once in awhile I will go to a bar to sing my karaoke song. No one else sings my songs since I customized the song to my vocals.

Anything wrong with this? I haven't heard such. But just want to be sure. Thanks

For your own use, no problem, several people create their own graphics to instrumentals they bought for their own private use. If you try to sell, give away or distribute in any manner, then yes. You may find some kj's will not play your home made songs however if they play customer tracks at all.
Author:  earthling12357 [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 7:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
gpierce9 wrote:
I would like to know if there is any bad legal things for the following


It depends on your definition of "bad legal things"; some risks are worth taking.

Almost everyone who has ever made a karaoke track has done so at one time or another without all of the proper permissions in place.
Some of those who have done so for a profit have had to pay up when their error was discovered, others just disappeared.
If you are not doing this for profit or distributing it in any way, your risks are much lower than for those who do.
Author:  gpierce9 [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Hi. thanks for the responses. I still get a feeling that no one will come out and say with 100% gusto if using Powerkaraoke (PK) to make person songs bought for $1 from amazon and handed to a karaoke host to play for me at a camp site or the local bar, is 100% ok. Otherwise, I get the feeling that some karaoke maker is holding our thoughts or actions hostage?

If my father calls me to spend a few weeks digging a ditch in his yard and asks me to bring my shovel that i paid for,
(eg bring my song to a karaoke host), and I use my own shovel to do the work, and leave it at Dad's for a few weeks, Do Shovel Makers come after me ? Or must my father buy a shovel for every relative who helps dig the ditch?

I think I have a clear cut case of no thefts. I assume that the makers of my mp3 songs are making a mint from Amazon.
I legally bought the song. Is there a problem with Amazon?? Just asking. As for PK, they are only providing a means to help me personally sing. None of my 90 karaoke made songs are for sale.

So I am looking for a clear cut answer if I am okay to bring my personal songs to a karaoke host to sing just for myself?

Worst case, like I used to, I brought an instrumental Mp3 song and sang from my typed paper.
Was that breaking the law too? I'm starting to get afraid to sing in the shower to my mp3 customized PK song.

Thanks for the responses. Can you be more exact for me? Thanks alot. I hope one of those auditors that i read about here will give me an honest legal answer. Glen
Author:  gpierce9 [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 8:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Would anyone know the 2 big companies whom I can ask definitively my legal question?

If I get an answer from them, I will post it. Specific to my need. thanks
Author:  BruceFan4Life [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Making karaoke tracks for ones own personal use is tantamount to Jay Walking, in the grand scheme of things. I've made thousands of them. Nobody seems to be knocking my door down to arrest me for doing so. Have fun until someone tells you to stop. Just don't try to make money doing it and you should be just fine.
Author:  gpierce9 [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Ha, thanks for the note. I have a second motive for learning if everything is OK.
Most hosts claim that they do not know how to run my CD or flash drive or even how to load it
to his harddrive (if i come often).

So i don't know if they are incompetent on the computer or just scared of using my disk.
so if the hosts are fearful of my songs, then why should i bother? i was hoping to find a definitive "white paper" showing the legality. Powerkaraoke was vague and not helpful to guide me. Who are the big players who are creating the fear.
Author:  Lonman [ Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
gpierce9 wrote:
Hi. thanks for the responses. I still get a feeling that no one will come out and say with 100% gusto if using Powerkaraoke (PK) to make person songs bought for $1 from amazon and handed to a karaoke host to play for me at a camp site or the local bar, is 100% ok. Otherwise, I get the feeling that some karaoke maker is holding our thoughts or actions hostage?
Again if they are for your private use, no problems. And no, there is no 100% guarantee that if your home made tracks gets played at a show (especially any public place not paying their royalty fees to begin with), then yes there is a slight chance you could be in trouble (however unlikely). Also like said, many kj's won't even play customer discs/files, so it may be moot point.

Quote:
If my father calls me to spend a few weeks digging a ditch in his yard and asks me to bring my shovel that i paid for,
(eg bring my song to a karaoke host), and I use my own shovel to do the work, and leave it at Dad's for a few weeks, Do Shovel Makers come after me ? Or must my father buy a shovel for every relative who helps dig the ditch?
Bad analogy.

Quote:
Worst case, like I used to, I brought an instrumental Mp3 song and sang from my typed paper.
Was that breaking the law too? I'm starting to get afraid to sing in the shower to my mp3 customized PK song.
No laws being broke here. Again provided any public place are paying their own PRO fees to begin with.
Author:  Lonman [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Quote:
Ha, thanks for the note. I have a second motive for learning if everything is OK.
Most hosts claim that they do not know how to run my CD or flash drive or even how to load it
to his harddrive (if i come often).

So i don't know if they are incompetent on the computer or just scared of using my disk.

In many cases, the computer kj's cannot play customer discs and I would say the higher majority (just from kj responses on this forum only) have stated they absolutely will not play from a flash drive. Now on the flipside, those kj's that have disc play ability - many on this forum have stated they absolutely will not play burned home made discs. And then I don't doubt one bit that several hosts have no clue as to how to load from a flash drive even if they have the capability. It's nothing I have taught to my kj's - at least at this time. Discs we will play.
Quote:
so if the hosts are fearful of my songs, then why should i bother? i was hoping to find a definitive "white paper" showing the legality. Powerkaraoke was vague and not helpful to guide me. Who are the big players who are creating the fear?

Because there is no way to prove that you actually paid for the file, which is where the fear in many hosts come. But the display of the graphics that weren't legally licensed can actually fall back on the kj playing it and the bar it's being played in with hefty fines - again more likely in a bar not paying their pro fees. This is publishing issues, not even anything to do with the manufacturers of karaoke music.
Author:  earthling12357 [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 4:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
gpierce9 wrote:
Hi. thanks for the responses. I still get a feeling that no one will come out and say with 100% gusto if using Powerkaraoke (PK) to make person songs bought for $1 from amazon and handed to a karaoke host to play for me at a camp site or the local bar, is 100% ok.


Had you come out with your complete question, you might have gotten the answer you didn't want.
But since it's obvious now what answer you want, I'll gladly give it to you.
You are violating someone's copyright.
Yes, you are breaking the law.
Now, look both ways and only cross at corners.

gpierce9 wrote:
If my father calls me to spend a few weeks digging a ditch in his yard and asks me to bring my shovel that i paid for,
(eg bring my song to a karaoke host), and I use my own shovel to do the work, and leave it at Dad's for a few weeks, Do Shovel Makers come after me ? Or must my father buy a shovel for every relative who helps dig the ditch?

If your father is renting, the land owner will probably want compensation.
If you dig too deep, you will have to compensate the mineral rights holder.
The shovel has nothing to do with it unless you used snow shovels that you fashioned yourself, in that case Arthur W. Cowan would probably want payment for the patent infringement.

gpierce9 wrote:
I think I have a clear cut case of no thefts.

It doesn't matter what you think; it only matters what the law says and what the judge thinks.
gpierce9 wrote:
So I am looking for a clear cut answer if I am okay to bring my personal songs to a karaoke host to sing just for myself?

If you were singing them just for yourself, you wouldn't need a karaoke host.

gpierce9 wrote:
I hope one of those auditors that i read about here will give me an honest legal answer. Glen

How will you know?
Author:  chrisavis [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
gpierce9 wrote:
I would like to know if there is any bad legal things for the following. I bought about 90 songs on amazon.com for $1 each. Then I use Powerkaraoke software to change the key and tempo to match my voice. Then I have a CDG+3 two files. When i go camping, i bring my songs. Once in awhile I will go to a bar to sing my karaoke song. No one else sings my songs since I customized the song to my vocals.

Anything wrong with this? I haven't heard such. But just want to be sure. Thanks


If a bear sings karaoke in the woods while taking a dump, and a tree falls next to him, will the music publishers hear that sound and come running with their attorneys (who are wearing bear suits)? I am only guessing here but, I think not. :)



Once you perform in public though, there is added risk. Mainly of getting shot, stabbed, or otherwise harmed by someone that doesn't like the way you sing. I would say that risk is greater than you being busted by a music publisher for singing a modified version of a song.

-Chris
Author:  mrmarog [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Just don't modify or change "My Way" in an Asian Style karaoke room and you'll probably be OK. :D
Author:  BruceFan4Life [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
KARAOKE VERSION JUST RELEASED A NEW VERSION OF MY WAY WITH SOMEONE JUST PLAYING A GUITAR FOR THE MOST PART. i BELIEVE DANY DRILLANT IS THE PERSONS NAME. PARTS OF THE SONG HAVE A REAL CARIBBEAN FLEE TO TI. I guess if you sang it poorly, you'd have to worry about someone using a voo doo to punish you.

mrmarog wrote:
Just don't modify or change "My Way" in an Asian Style karaoke room and you'll probably be OK. :D
Author:  gpierce9 [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 9:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
To "Earthling" : When i wrote that I want to sing the songs for myself.... I of course meant at a karaoke show at a bar or camp ground.

I meant that I am not trying to resell my karaoke song nor is anyone else using my songs.

I don't believe the accuracy of some of the responses that I got here.
Ever hear of Monopolies ? A person must have a right to make their own karaoke song using a licensed song.

I notice inside my purchased $1 Amazon songs, a comment like "amazon.com song ID 218237619".
I guess the number is like an inventory number? In any case, the song clearly shows that I bought it.
I have to believe that Amazon is somehow linked into paying the royalties. It is a well respected firm.

I bet the lawyers for the big karaoke manuf are just intimitating people. No real substance to some issues.
Slip and Fall lawyers.

As for the fearful karaoke hosts, I don't go to them anymore.
They are horrible. The makers of the primary karaoke discs have songs that are hard to change the Keys.
Also tempo. The hosts are too lazy to do. Their goal seems to get people into a drinking frenzy and have "Sweet Caroline" or some up beat tempo drive the people to be nuts. No real singing.
Just kids out to make noise.

So someone serious as me, reverts to taking time to make a singing product that sounds good. i am told.
and i have to worry about some karaoke maker dopes who should be concentrating on the big piracy cases.
I spent $1 for ONE song. I should be able to do whatever i want with it except not resell it.
End of story.
Author:  Lonman [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Look you have your answer. You can create the graphics and use them for your own private use. No one will ever do a thing to you there. ONCE you bring that file to a public show, is where the risk starts to grow - slightly, but still there. Not because of karaoke manufacturers, but because of the artists and publishers (representatives of the artists). THe risk grows more if the place you are playing aren't paying said publishers for the proper performance rights. Again, it isn't even about the karaoke manufacturers, they aren't even a factor.
You can think you can do whatever you want with something you paid a dollar for, but you would be completely and utterly 'wrong'.
Author:  gpierce9 [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Thanks for the good info. I think I will start with Amazon and ask them the same question since their $1 represents the artist who I figured had allowed their song to be sold. I imagine the Main Karaoke people paid someone for the song too.
Author:  Lonman [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
gpierce9 wrote:
Thanks for the good info. I think I will start with Amazon and ask them the same question since their $1 represents the artist who I figured had allowed their song to be sold. I imagine the Main Karaoke people paid someone for the song too.

Amazon is just a retailer - most likely do not even have the actual songs, but are directed to a server of an actual seller, they won't have any info for you other than what is on their terms of service - which most likely state no public performance or commercial use (which is what it becomes when played in any public venue ie bar, club, etc). If you want definitive answer, contact the actual publishers of the songs
ASCAP, BMI, SESAC. These are the 3 main publishing houses that would be able to answer you the exact same as here, except they will more than likely tell you not to do it at all since you are not paying for sync licensing for the graphics which is what is legally required to make the graphics for a cdg disc.
Author:  gpierce9 [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
thanks much on ASCAP, BMI, SESAC. I remember a K-host saying he abides by Ascap. I couldn't remember the name till you wrote it.

I left a message for amazon. They wrote back as you expected :
"That would be a question for a lawyer."

Amazon wrote back a chicken answer. So now will try those 3 places noted above.
Maybe it will only stir up the pot.

I assumed that part of my $1 went to some artist fund. I suppose amazon does not.
So how does a big company like that get away but a silly bar karaoke player or host is prime suspects per all these discussions?
Author:  MrBoo [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Seriously, go for it. You are fine. Just don't make money on it. Directly or indirectly. That means you can't use your tracks to promote yourself into a money making adventure.

If you are not making money, then there is no money to be made by the publishers. It's all about money.
Author:  BruceFan4Life [ Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making my own karaoke song
Karaoke has been around for quite some time now. At least 20 years I would think.
I have not heard of a single case where someone was sued for playing a homemade karaoke track in a venue where everything else was above board and legitimate. If you brought a homemade track into a bar where they hadn't paid for any any of the fees that most venues pay for public performance; then even a Sound Choice disc would be in violation.

Contrary to popular belief, the sky is NOT Falling.
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