Karaoke Forums

I was kidding.

I know very little about IP law. Please do not take anything I say as legal advice, as it certainly is not intended as such. I have been an attorney for just over a month, and employed as an assistant public defender for 3 weeks. I have been a KJ for over 20 years and I still run karaoke Thurs, Fri & Sat nights. I plan on doing both for a while, as public defenders do not make much money. I make almost as much as a KJ as I do at the PD's office. But at 41 I need to get trial experience quickly, and the PD's office is an excellent opportunity for that.

Oh Toger you are so sweet!

Here see if this helps

Thunder Music Entertainment
Steve Miller
PO Box 1007
Madison Va 22727

(540) 407-1080

57 years old

I live just off of Route 29 South 2 miles out of Madison you can't miss it.

Venues weekly

Applebees Charlottesville - Monday
BAJA Bean Charlottesville - Tuesday
McGrady's Charlottesville - Wednesday
BAJA Bean Charlottesville - Thursday
BAJA Norte Charlottesville - Friday

Venues Monthly

Dogwood Restaurant club Palmyra - 1st Saturday
Oasis Waynesboro - 2nd Saturday

My system was audited by
Sound Choice on November 15, 2010
Charbuster on November 15, 2010

Since those audits were done I have purchased approximately 5200 songs from Chartbuster, another 600 or 700 from Sound Choice and 90 or so from POP Hits Monthly. I am getting ready to purchase the Gem set as well as three years worth of PHM (to make my second system what I want it to be) Once I get my second system ready to put in venues I will be requesting an audit for it as well as a second audit for my first system.

You see, I really don't have anything to hide at all, People that are on this board have been to my house and some have been to my shows they know who I am and what I am about. Several here I have spent time with, partied with, joked with, sang with, and I know who they are and what they are about as well and they have nothing to hide.

I don't know why you are angry with me as I have done nothing to or against you, other than suggest that you have your system audited and that was not an accusation that you were a pirate, it was a simple statement of fairness which you seem to have blown fuse because of it.

Although I have been through an audit, I think that it is only fair that I do it again as I add songs to my library or add a system. Because I don't feel it would be right to ask others to go through one if I wasn't. and I am asking anyone who is 1:1 to do so for their own sake as well as the sake of this business as a whole, because I feel that it is the only way to seperate the pirates from those who are legal.

There are a lot of people on this and other Karaoke forums who would like to shut me and others up on this issue, they will say and or twist anything you say to suit their purpose. I have been banned from other boards for being outspoken on this subject and fully expect to be banned from this one as well, it isn't new or news to me.

Take it for what it is worth to you!

Calm down Toger,

No one has said that just because someone has not been through an audit that they are evil,?[/quote]


1) TO TOQER: Finally, SOMEONE who admits it!

Would you be kind enough to disclose:

1) The physical location of the KIAA main office ( not the mail drop that they list as an address)?

2) Who are the officers of the KIAA, and who is responsible for collection and DISBURSEMENT of funds?

3) Contact NAMES?

Thanks in advance..


2) To THUNDER/VIRGIN: You have posted untruthfully, as you have stated on the OKJT and other forums that those who disagree with SC's methodology as "Pirate Supporters".

Part of SC's methodology includes uncompensated audits through intimidation. Therefore, you HAVE called people who disagree with SC's audit process "Pirate Supporters".

As for your "audit" at the meeting- you were already given a hall pass per Kurt's post, based on "previous buying history" ( which only means you bought SOME SC, so I wonder about other motivation.... Either way, there was no chance of audit failure even before you opened a disc case.

I won't even bother to ask why you changed your name to Handy for this forum....I assume a fresh start? If so, a fresh style may have helped.

My avatar is about 3 years old, but I still have the same bad haircut, and still use an ugly yellow windscreen to distinguish my personal mic- no reason to change it.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

I have to agree with Joe C. on that...

Haha Joe, I see the sarcasm

Honestly, I know the answer to none of these questions. I think that's the answer you were looking for

_________________
Living my life as Robert Cortese, 162 E. Jackson St, San Jose CA.

It's like the difference between high and low budget toilet paper, it really doesn't matter in the end. -exweedfarmer

Which is smarter? Just sticking to making/selling karaoke, while people all over the world create software FOR FREE that helps you sell it, or trying to compete with them and keeping it a closed loop while you blow your money into an industry (software) that you(the karaoke manu) knows nothing about?
-me

Knowing me as you do, I don't blame you, but this time I wasn't being sarcastic- at least toward you.

I have been trying for some time to get the information that I have requested, to no avail. You mentioned that you met with these folks, and you show as being on the advisory board, so I really was hoping for help in this matter.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

1) TO TOQER: Finally, SOMEONE who admits it!

Would you be kind enough to disclose:

1) The physical location of the KIAA main office ( not the mail drop that they list as an address)?

2) Who are the officers of the KIAA, and who is responsible for collection and DISBURSEMENT of funds?

3) Contact NAMES?

Thanks in advance..


2) To THUNDER/VIRGIN: You have posted untruthfully, as you have stated on the OKJT and other forums that those who disagree with SC's methodology as "Pirate Supporters".

Part of SC's methodology includes uncompensated audits through intimidation. Therefore, you HAVE called people who disagree with SC's audit process "Pirate Supporters".

As for your "audit" at the meeting- you were already given a hall pass per Kurt's post, based on "previous buying history" ( which only means you bought SOME SC, so I wonder about other motivation.... Either way, there was no chance of audit failure even before you opened a disc case.

I won't even bother to ask why you changed your name to Handy for this forum....I assume a fresh start? If so, a fresh style may have helped.

My avatar is about 3 years old, but I still have the same bad haircut, and still use an ugly yellow windscreen to distinguish my personal mic- no reason to change it.[/quote]

Joe,

First off you really need to learn how to do quotes.

I have never said that all of those who disagree with Sound Choice's methods are pirates (although many are pirates) what I said was everyone opposing actions taken against the pirates gives the pirates moral support so yes they would be pirate supporters. However, once again as you have done so many times before, you are bringing an answer to something that was never said in the post you are responding to. I never said anything in my post about pirate supporters. If you are going to respond to something I post at least do it honestly and keep it on track.

There is no part of the audit process that any 1:1 KJ wants to go through that is done through intimidation, those that are named in a lawsuit are allowed to go through the audits to be declared legal and have the lawsuit dropped, there is a slight difference there. But again you have to understand the concept of unauthorized copying to see the difference.

Again with the "hall Pass" I don't know how many times I have corrected you on this subject but you continue with the blatant untruths that you have been spreading. Kurt never stated anything about my previous buying history that I have ever been aware of it appears you are confusing me with someone else who had a suit dropped against them because of the discovery of their previous buying history, but I understand your need in the confusion. There really wasn't a chance of audit failure though and you are correct on that one because I didn't run out and purchase to fill in my library before the audit, I actually already had the disc for what was on my system even if they were broken disc. What I purchased after the audit was to replace songs by off brand manus that were not up to par with Sound Choice and Chartbuster and to fill in some songs that I did not have, and I continue to do that monthly.

You needn't bother because you wouldn't understand but there are others here who do know why it was changed and it did exactly what it was designed to do!

Steve Miller

Definite confusion on this one. It was another host who actually got an intent to sue letter from SC and then had it quickly dropped when buying history was checked. Then, to dispel accusations that he got a "Hall Pass, " he volunteered for an audit and passed.

The remarks made about Thunder's audit were that it took extra time because he had a disc ID system that involved using paper labels and they had to shine a light through the labels to fully examine the discs. His audit took MORE time rather than being a Hall Pass, according to others who were there.

Thank you Leopard, finally someone who actually has the ability to read and understand what was actually written!

Having participated in conducting it, I can personally confirm that Steve Miller passed his voluntary Chartbuster Karaoke audit with 100% compliance on November 15, 2010. His unique identifier is YVQKYXIF5J. He holds full certification of his library since the effective date above.

Nobody cares.

_________________
Living my life as Robert Cortese, 162 E. Jackson St, San Jose CA.

It's like the difference between high and low budget toilet paper, it really doesn't matter in the end. -exweedfarmer

Which is smarter? Just sticking to making/selling karaoke, while people all over the world create software FOR FREE that helps you sell it, or trying to compete with them and keeping it a closed loop while you blow your money into an industry (software) that you(the karaoke manu) knows nothing about?
-me

Exactly...

Might as well be a Proof-Of-Purchase cut off a cereal box.

I do

Virgin I don't see your point. Literally.

_________________
Living my life as Robert Cortese, 162 E. Jackson St, San Jose CA.

It's like the difference between high and low budget toilet paper, it really doesn't matter in the end. -exweedfarmer

Which is smarter? Just sticking to making/selling karaoke, while people all over the world create software FOR FREE that helps you sell it, or trying to compete with them and keeping it a closed loop while you blow your money into an industry (software) that you(the karaoke manu) knows nothing about?
-me

Wrong Toqer. With all due respect...

I care. I can't speak for others, except the 14 that were in Charlotte last November. We care.

We care to put the truth out there.

Legitimacy is a key issue among those that participate in this industry as KJ's.

Joe C's statements regarding a "hall pass" for Steve M are false.

I was present during the audit process.


The truth. Care about it.

_________________
Never the same show twice!

EXACTLY CHIP!!! YAY!!

PROOF
of
PURCHASE.

Say it again... "PROOF of PURCHASE" = Legal, legitimate karaoke.

...unless you are printing your own boxes and willing to commit felony-level fraud/theft.
I think someone should alert the Cereal authorities.

Actually, I have a question for you Chip. Have you ever given consideration to the criteria that would result in YOU accepting a KJ as legit? If so, how would you go about determining the status of an individual or business that said something to the effect of "I'm a legit, legal KJ who owns/has purchased a CD+G disc or downloaded MP3+G track for every song available at my shows."?

Would you tell them not to worry about that and just go ahead and work on making their shows the best they can? Would you tell them to document their library and be prepared to fight if any mfr, publisher, music owner, trademark holder attempts to verify whether or not you have stolen their IP? When MTU stole yours, did you just soft-pedal and roll-over? Thieves are doing the same things to the mfr's that MTU did to you. You don't consider your lawsuit a business model for making profit do you? I believe you are more intelligent than that. Your lawsuit is to RECOVER losses from the entity that has caused you/your business LOSS. What if MTU had copied your IP and sold it to several thousand others and they too, refused to compensate you for your product? What if they all banded together and vilified you and your lawsuit, undermining your position and encouraging others to ignore your rights and continue to disparage you personally and your business. <--- end rant --->

anyway... food for thought... think I'm gonna go have some Lucky Charms.

_________________
Never the same show twice!

Of course I care about piracy Mtn, otherwise I wouldn't have been there 2 years earlier in Baltimore for the KIAA formation.

Over the course of the past week though, I've seen Virgin and others mouth off to the point of being offensive. So much so, an ENTIRE THREAD TO BANNING THE GUY WAS CREATED.

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=21287

And apparently, this is just what he does, according to a overwhelming majority of people that have delt with him on other forums.
Chartbusters appearance here is just fuel for this troll.

And this SHOULD NOT be the face of this movement.

I have been nothing but genuine, yet the message I hear from CB and SC is "Media shifting is illegal" You know what? I hear from other Manu's they just don't care. I hear from Gai Marcos(tricerasoft) that the burden of media shifting is on the disc maker. I hear from Robin Gross and my friends at the EFF that they are just plain wrong.

I don't want to have committed a crime 444 times (the number of ripped CDG's I have in my collection) I don't want Chartbusters or SC accusing me of one 444 times either. I don't want their magic pony stickers that will protect me from lawsuits or their magic code.

Frack, all of that.

I'm ratting them out to my reps now. Thankfully running for City Council (and having family involved) in politics has left me with a nice hefty rolodex of people to call. There's going to be a serious inquiry into this, and we're going to have this settle once and for all. No more arguing over it.

My main problem with the KIAA (and the reason I walked out of that meeting 4 hours early) is there was never ANY attempt to involve the software writers. They have no interest in doing business with us. We could have had this all fixed 4 years ago, corralled people into doing the right thing by utilising technology.

Instead we've been vilified.

I gotta wrap this up, I gotta take my daughter to school. Let me throw something else out here. Wouldn't you rather have someone with no manu interest (or KJ interest) doing these audits? How about the FBI? How about the feds create a new agency (similiar to ASCAP/BMI/SESAC) How about we get clarification from the government, instead of these guys?

Go write your congressman.

_________________
Living my life as Robert Cortese, 162 E. Jackson St, San Jose CA.

It's like the difference between high and low budget toilet paper, it really doesn't matter in the end. -exweedfarmer

Which is smarter? Just sticking to making/selling karaoke, while people all over the world create software FOR FREE that helps you sell it, or trying to compete with them and keeping it a closed loop while you blow your money into an industry (software) that you(the karaoke manu) knows nothing about?
-me

I believe you are mistaken. Thunder, Steve M, Virgin Karaoke or whatever he wants to call himself this week, did in fact have a "hall pass" before his planned trip to NC in "exchange for all his help and information" on others. His audit -just like Skid Rowe's - was not really a requirement.

The Real Truth.... doesn't bend.

Make sure that you cut that proof of purchase off the box and pin it proudly to your shirt to prove to others once and for all that the cereal you had this morning had that seal on it.... See how much they care...

Take a pic of yourself and send it to the cereal company.. and see how much they care.

My point is that these "certifications and qualifications" are absolutely worthless....




Here's the problem with your scenario: It's too late. This is a "open industry" that sells it's products directly to the public as well as operators and you can't change that now... there are too many competitors on the manufacturing end because of it. And it was the manufacturers themselves that made it that way.

Back in 1992-ish, there were only -at the most- 25 or so manufacturers of cdg's. That would have been the perfect time to set up this industry to be exactly what you envision it SHOULD BE today. But the problem was that even these 30 manufacturers couldn't agree that the sky was blue. The ones licensing didn't want to talk to those that weren't and those that weren't probably thought licensing was for idiots... In any case, they couldn't agree on anything because they all wanted to make as many sales to as many demographics as possible. Pioneer laser discs were usually out of the question for the average person at roughly $150-180 per disc. My first DK discs were $39.00 when they came out with 5" cdg's. Now, 20 years later, it's come to bite them in the butt. They all make the same tracks and try to sell them to the same market... as a price war.

So they let the horses out of the barn 20 years ago and it's a little late to call them back even if they want to whip them harder.

BUT, in you're mission clearly half of the equation is here: ALL MANUFACTURERS would have to be "audited" as well and there's currently no provision for that and no punishment/consequence for them either. While I appreciate your attempting to find some similarity in the situation and my suit against MTU, it's not anything that can compare directly so I'll guess that you simply would want me to put myself in the manufacturers shoes and decide what I would do.



Would have pictured you as more of a Fruit Loops kinda guy....

You wouldn't know the real truth if it walked up and yanked your nose hairs.

You weren't there. I know that because I was.

No one was given a "hall pass". FACT.

Each and every disc produced for audit by each and every KJ in attendance was verified by two mfr's. FACT.

Your accusations based on someone else's falsehoods are compounding lies. Plain and simple.
(and you know it based on your own posts regarding that burned 8125)

_________________
Never the same show twice!