Karaoke Forums

Yes. KJ's using PC's are the dumb ones.

Only in:

No, I didn't. You are either stirring the pot or have comprehension problems. Either should be corrected.

That is NOT what I said, so you PC users can sheath your claws...

I SAID that those who were FIRST to do so are responsible for the quick market saturation of home PC users turned "KJs". Those who use PCs NOW are simply using familiar tools that are now a natural part of the industry.

However, two things remain inarguable facts:

1) While MP3s existed for quite awhile prior, karaoke piracy EXPLODED after producers ( and illegal distributors) ripped the tracks and put them online, where they could be obtained (hacked) for free without any special drives, physical media (discs) to buy, labels to worry about, bought and printed, and all the other time and expenses associated with disc pirates..

That HAPPENED. No if, ands, or buts.

2) As stated above, the market became saturated when folks at home (especially as the economy began to crash) realized that they could attempt to make an income using products that they already owned to cover what would have been the most expensive part of a KJ's business.
That HAPPENED. No if, ands, or buts.

Argue all you want, but those two things won't change. Therefore, not all responsibility for today's situation rests 100% on pirates. A lot of foot shooting was involved. Now, things are what they are, yes - the explosion in piracy is about to make major industry- wide changes in music sourcing, availability, business costs, and other things. However, that explosion didn't happen without help.

Also, the speedy onset of sourcing problems would have come with more notice and time to adjust if it were not for SC having trodon the publishers/owners toes, as well as making a frivolous, litigous cacaphony loud enough to awaken the giants - all of which was easiliy predicted by anyone with common sense. Thank you SC.
Btw- for Paradigm: I switched from cassettes for the higher quality laser discs, then switched to more economical, more compact, yet equal quality CDGs. When a better quality media ( that might also be devoid of certain legal worries) comes along, I will switch again.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK EXPRESSWAY MUSIC, INC.,Plaintiff,v.SLEP-TONE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION,Defendant.CIVIL ACTION FILE NUMBER:1:12-CV-00834-ALC-MHD


I.INTRODUCTION Slep-Tone Entertainment Corporation (“Slep-Tone”) has long been known for producing karaoke music for purchase by individuals and karaoke jockeys. More recently, Slep-Tone and its counsel have been in the business of filing baseless trademark infringement complaints. Their money-making scheme operates as follows: Slep-Tone files complaints alleging infringement of Slep-Tone’s trademarks by individuals, karaoke jockeys, and establishments such as restaurants that offer karaoke services. Each complaint substantially mirrors a prior-filed complaint as if a form complaint is maintained by Slep-Tone for its various counsel. These complaints assume that any person or entity providing karaoke services is infringing their trademarks. Periodically,they select a number of targets within a federal jurisdiction against which to file the form complaint. In some cases, before filing a complaint, Slep-Tone, via its counsel or its authorized agent, distributes form settlement letters offering to settle the lawsuit for a minimal amount. In other cases, substantially identical letters are distributed after the complaint is filed. Although the infringement claims are baseless and the illicit scheme transparent (and well documented),
1
defendants choose to settle rather than expend a much greater sum to defend the suit.Rule 11 exists precisely to discourage this sort of conduct. Slep-Tone and its counsel conduct NO investigations prior to filing their form infringement complaints. Indeed, if they had conducted the most minimal investigation in this case, they would have found that Expressway has legally purchased its karaoke tracks and does not maintain a single counterfeit track, barring any possibility of success on the merits. Slep-Tone and its counsel should not be permitted touse the legal system to extort settlement fees based on mere guesses as to who could be infringing a particular trademark. Rule 11 sanctions should be imposed.

_________________
If you don't have anything nice to say, say it sarcastically!
The Truth often gets in the way of a good story.
Record companies should make every song in a karaoke version and kill the dispute!

The motion you are referring to was denied.

Just because it was denied doesn't mean there was no wrong doing? The heart of the document really hits home don't you think?

_________________
If you don't have anything nice to say, say it sarcastically!
The Truth often gets in the way of a good story.
Record companies should make every song in a karaoke version and kill the dispute!

It seemed more like an agenda driven statement rather than a serious plea. It didn't cite any real evidence to back up the statements nor quote previous cases as examples like most of the other court documents we have seen.

Another document recently posted on here asked for dismissal and then quoted other cases and decisions as a basis for the request (fair use decisions on other cases, etc.). That one also seemed to follow the usual rhetoric but at least made an attempt to back it up by citing previous court decisions. However that one was also dismissed point by point with the judge saying the defendants had "misread" the decisions, etc. If that one didn't make it, I don't think someone just stating their opinion of what is going on really had a chance to succeed.

The document you quoted from was full of misstatements of fact and misleading argument, and the court rejected it. As a work of fiction, yeah, sure, I guess it really hits home, but I'd rather read Le Carre or Vonnegut.

Vonnegut? You just may have a redeeming quality there, Jim . One of my favorites.....

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

" Disc based and loving it..."