Karaoke Forums

Tonight I went to a venue that I used to work at years ago. It is under new ownership now. I was talking with the karaoke person there (who I met years earlier) about the history of how I was there with the old ownership for 7+ years and the owners had purchased a loaded CAVS machine (not with SC music as far as I know it was MM and Nutech and other crap but there was some PHM on it) which I told them was illegal. This karaoke person went to the owner who then came to me and gave me a hard time about spreading rumors about illegal music at the bar. I had not said anything to anyone else, just was giving the karaoke host the history there. BTW this host, who has been doing karaoke for over 15 years has no idea about the activities of SC or the former CB.

I ended up being threatened by someone and will not go back there again. Point is, this is the situation we deal with. Just stay in your little corner and be quiet and do your own thing to be safe...

This is what I have been saying. Had I not come on this, and other sites, I would never have known what was going on. It's not in the Mass Media. It isn't mentioned on Yahoo. And many people just don't care, don't believe, or just don't want to know about what is going on. I have talked to KJs and they just do not believe there is anything going on. Even the guy I fill in for didn't want to know anything about the situation. He thought I was nuts. He only acknowledged when I sent him a link to SC's site and he read for himself. He still doesn't really care though. He's disc based, and only has one SC disc. He's got one of the Mamas, and he had the Lynryd Skynryd disc, but it broke.

Harrington talks about how they are educating people and making them aware of the problems. Who are they educating, and how are they getting that education out to people? It doesn't seem to be working, too well. It makes one think that this is the way SC wants it, because they can troll for cases and get more because many are ignorant of what is going on.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I have to agree with the sentiment here. Not all KJs (or Singers for that matter) are aware of this Karaoke Forum (or other Karaoke Forums out there either). And then there are those that do know of some of the Forums, but feel that they just don't have the time (or care) to participate in them.

These Forums appear to be the main source of information (and misinformation/disinformation (HL's word, not mine)) discussing Media Shifting and Piracy, and all the current Lawsuits taking place.




And how does one do that? It doesn't appear like the Manufacturers are saying anything other than, "Buy my product." Then there's all those download sites (such as SBI Karaoke, Tricerasoft, Karaoke-Version, Sing to the World), who are saying that their downloads are legal (and aren't saying much more beyond that).



Like I said, they're not saying anything beyond, "Buy my product."... unlike the Manufacturers of wireless microphones. They made sure that everyone purchasing a new Microphone was aware of the changes in the FCC regulations that issued a ban on the use of a certain frequency range (somewhere around 2009 or 2010). Now, the only people who probably are STILL unaware of this, are the people who are still using their old wireless microphones (not even knowing what bandwidth frequency they are using (possibly not even knowing what a bandwidth frequency is)), and have not shopped around for a new wireless microphone.

Then there's the FCC regulations a few years ago (around 2008), that required EVERYONE to either buy a new TV (one that could receive a Digital Signal), buy a Converter Box, or use their current Cable/Satellite/Direct TV connections to receive a broadcast signal. That was aired constantly on TV... especially through the various News Networks, and a public blitz of commercials were made to make the public aware of the deadline to be ready for this switch. This public blitz took place continuously around/between 2005 through 2008.

Now, I realize that Karaoke is a niche market, but what public blitz's has SC (or the other Manufacturers) done to make ALL of the public aware?





Regarding item 2, how have you gone about this mass undertaking of educating the public? Through the KIAA???? That's mentioned/listed as a hyperlink in SC's website. SC's website is a place where someone MIGHT go to buy new music. BUT, since SC has not been producing new music, AND, the CDGs they sell via their website cost more than if you were to purchase them in a B&M store or ONLINE through other vendors, the likelihood of people visiting the site probably has dwindled. Where else is the KIAA mentioned???... in all (or most) of the Karaoke Forums out there (see my other comment about people who don't visit these Forums).

Regarding item 4, I haven't bought a SC CDG in several years. The last disc I purchased was number 8993. As for the paper flyer that SC inserts in the Jewel Case, I don't remember if I saw one or not, but in all likelihood, I would have just tossed it (with the Jewel Case) after removing the disc and placing it in one of my binders. There are many products which I have purchased over the years which had some extra piece of paper thrown in. If it didn't have anything to do with how I assembled the product, or some instruction manual on how to use the product (ie: a new TV set), i tossed it. In the case of buying a disc (any type of disc), one does not expect to see instructions on how to use it... You just put it in the appropriate type of machine that is capable of playing it, and just hit PLAY. It ain't Rocket Science.

It's a strategy. SC educates just enough people to gain a following. That following, like good little soldiers, gets certified and spreads the word,though most people don't want to hear that word, they do attract some more soldiers. It's kind of like religion. You have people that preach it, some will get the message, but many don't care. Meanwhile, SC hires a law firm to send out inspectors, or spies, to locate KJs that have not heard the word or don't care about the word. They then name those people in lawsuits, and either settle with them or get them to license the GEM series. It all works in the favor of SC. The less people who are educated the more money they can make. The one thing they never counted on were those who would just refuse to use their products. SC can't make anything on them.


DISCLAIMER: Just my THEORY. I am not stating that these are the facts.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

and not just that, i have been hit with two investigators in two days. tonights was a hoot.
comes in "i have been here for two days and someone told me this is the place to do karaoke"
ok, i would love to hear that, i could see it i guess and took the compliment.
asks for "she talks to angels", an SC only track. i dont have that disc so he says "i have it, i can make you a copy of it" explain why i wont take a copy, and the dumfounded look was priceless.......and forced.
every track had to be SC and were all SC only tracks, did two songs and left, kinda funny how this other guy came in two minutes after him, took a lot of pictures of random people and left two minutes after the investigator.
do i need to repeat that i was first in line to get certified and this is the crap i have to put up with?

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

How completely ridiculous.

She Talks To Angels isn't only SC. My friend has it on Legends or Pioneer. It is also available on SBI.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

SC has done three sweeps in my local market and there are still some KJs that don't have a clue about what's going on. To many KJs around the country, karaoke is a job, not a career. I'm sure if you told them they could be sued for converting their CDs to digital format they would be stunned. Additionally, if you said you also will have to be audited and pay for it, there would be more disbelief. The biggest reason is that no one else in the music world has this absurd requirement and it seems weird not to be able to purchase a CD and convert it to a digital format in 2012 without paying a fee.

I'm in 26 venues with my other entertainment and many of the owners/managers hate karaoke but tolerate it because it does make some profit or at least break even on slow nights. Only 4 of them also have karaoke. Let it become more trouble than it's worth and watch it go away for good.

Maybe SC needs to take some of that money they are getting and make some TV ads that way it will be out in the open more...(rignt NOT)

The reason that the mike thing went over so big is that it was a GOVERNMENT AGENCIES REGULATION that was changed not some manufacture of defunct music.

I would bet dollars to donuts that if Sony, WB or other music manufactures decided that it was not illegal to rip their music for a DJ to use they would let the world know about it in a heart beat.

SC believes that every KJ should know what they, (SC), are doing but what they don't realize is beyond buying music they don't care as long as the clubs they are playing in are paying the appropriate fees and most clubs don't care what is being played because they are paying the fees.

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I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

in our area we made people aware....we dropped off packets to every venue owner and every kj we could find. Yes we did get some nastiness but at least we know we contacted everybody possible to let them know what was happening (and let them know in advance)

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

I have it on Pioneer, so they can still sing it - better version than the SC too!

I get singers asking this all the time - at least letting me know if I have the SC version, that is the one they'd prefer.

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

No Info? Surly you jest. On EVERY disc, DVD, software, etc, etc, etc, I've ever gotten has on it or comes with it a variation of "This disc/software cannot be reproduced, etc, etc without authorization". To say that in this day and age that you are unaware of this is ridiculous.

As for what yu said about "investigators", exactly how do you know they were legit? If they are then they are some of the most inept investigators I've heard of.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Yea and they all say not for public performance so I guess that makes ALL karaoke shows illegal!!!!!!

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I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

"Unauthorized" public performance! This is taken care of with the PRO fees that clubs are supposed to pay ie ASCAP/BMI/SESAC. With these fees paid, it is no longer an unauthorized public performance.

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

I have the Pioneer "She Talks To Angels" also...not sure I have the SC version

OK... this part I don't get. I have never heard of a stranger coming to a show, and just because you don't have a specific version of a song, offers to make you a copy of it????? When I go out to a show and ask the KJ if he has a specific version of a song, and he says no, I then ask if he would be willing to play it from my personal burn of it or from my flash drive. The answer will be either Yes or No, and that's the end of it.

I know from personal experience that there are some FAKE investigators roaming about. I thought it was very funny that one hit our show...MAO

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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

Agree for the most part. Haven't had individual singers offer to copy me a track - that sounds kind of weird (had regular singers give me original discs to add), but have had other kj's offer to do so - however in return for other tracks in which I always decline. Not going to allow another kj to have something I have that they can't get anymore!

I don't think this guy was a legit investigator, probably someone in his neck of the woods that was named and/or disgruntled patron wanting to cause some crap. I seriously doubt that the investigators are going to waste money on investigating those already certified.

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

Chartbuster alaso makes a version of "She Talks To Angels"

That would imply that once certified you are free to do what ever you want without fear of being checked on again. Which is probably true as long as you continue singing the praises of certification.

In Paradigm's case I think it's likely his investigator was authentic. I say this because he was asking for songs that Paradigm didn't have and they already know what Paradigm has from the audit so naturally they would be checking for the other stuff. And, since they already have an active case in the area, it's easier to build and work on others in that same area.

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KNOW THYSELF

Lonnie, keep in mind, the key part of my statement was "a stranger." What you are referring to, is your "Regulars." They've been to your shows before, and some have given you their disc/s to hold onto for safe-keeping, while others have just presented them to you as gifts... But, they are your "Regulars." As for the other part of it, where a KJ comes in and offers you a trade, that's a totally different thing, and Paradigm didn't say anything about that in his scenario.


But once he said that he didn't have that song in that version, they would have to go onto the next song on their list.... not offer to give him a copy of it (which would also be entrapment if they did use that against him).