Nope! Why would that have ever changed?

... Don't get on here as often as I used too but was just curious. Are these legal now?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Karaoke-Co ... Sw5cNYgssz

... Don't get on here as often as I used too but was just curious. Are these legal now?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Karaoke-Co ... Sw5cNYgssz

From: cueball703
To: scottieboi937
Subject: Details about item: cueball703 sent a message about Huge Karaoke Collection! USB Hard Drive Ultimate Collection #172498688130

Sent Date: Jan-24-17 18:59:26 PST


Dear scottieboi937,

Are you also going to include the original discs with the downloads?


- cueball703


From: scottieboi937
To: cueball703
Subject: Re: Details about item: cueball703 sent a message about Huge Karaoke Collection! USB Hard Drive Ultimate Collection #172498688130
Sent Date: Jan-24-17 19:07:04 PST


Dear cueball703,

Hello and thanks for your inquiry. This is a "computer media karaoke" collection. It is not a CD collection, therefore (as see in description) You are required to make arrangments with BMI or ASCAP for music royalties if you play these versions in public performances. Years ago when all you had was CD collections it was different. Today with all the hosting software on the computer it is required. If you visit ASCAP there are reasonable permits you can obtain that are relatively inexpensive.


- scottieboi937

Definitely not legal. I will get it taken down when I get to the office tomorrow.

... Don't get on here as often as I used too but was just curious. Are these legal now?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Karaoke-Co ... Sw5cNYgssz

I was bored... I decided to ask the seller a question...

My guess would also be the seller is lying through his teeth about having all the KV, Zoom, and Sunfly tracks right up through January 2017! That's a little too much to be believed!

ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC do NOT accept payments from you unless you are a Venue Owner... not a KJ who happens to work in a venue (so that part is irrelevant). The legalities come into play with PEP/Sound Choice...and I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I'm talking about.

ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC I've paid into for years owning a karaoke business and still do and am very familiar with their policies. So what you are assuming is computer versions are not allowed unless the CD backs it up? If so, why can anyone go online right now and get every single computer media version on any karaoke manufacturer that is still in business? They offer computer media versions right on their websites of the manufacturers. Then, that would mean every single computerized hosting program is illegal as well. Because I can name 5 of them that let you download computer karaoke immediately for a fee. Sound Choice has not even been in business since the mid-2000's. As long as you or the venue pays royalty fees it is not against the law or illegal to have computer versions of karaoke or sell it. I've been on eBay for years and believe me if you were selling illegally they would boot your auction in a heart beat.

Based in United States, scottieboi937 has been an eBay member since Nov 30, 2008

Now if you were smart, you would make a lower offer (since he has a MAKE AN OFFER option in this auction) to the Seller and buy the HD from him. Then you could take him to court for the sale of an illegally loaded HD. You could also sue him further for any other illegally loaded HDs that he may have sold. That would be the way to start nipping this in the bud. Don't cut the branches off of the tree (all those KJs who are buying illegally loaded HDs). Cut the tree down from its trunk so it can't grow anymore.

We do that periodically. In fact, we've done it many times. I'm actually preparing a suit right now against a guy who did this.

We can take a pirate like this to court--if we can find him--and get an injunction. We might even get a nice fat judgment against him. The problem is that collecting on that judgment is usually next to impossible, because the reality is that almost nobody who does this has any assets to speak of. So we have to pay thousands of dollars to investigate, bring a lawsuit, serve the defendant, prosecute the suit, perhaps try the case (although probably not, since liability is clear), supply a bond for the injunction, and THEN we might have an injunction and a judgment against a guy who rents an apartment, leases his car, and makes money by selling the occasional $60 hard drive for $200-$500--oh, and by the way, we've just cut off his ability to make that money in the first place.

So...we pick our battles. I don't have a million-dollar budget to go after these guys, so we do the best we can to throw up roadblocks.

I don't have a million-dollar budget to go after these guys, so we do the best we can to throw up roadblocks.

I'm sure that, like many of us, Mr. Harrington would like to put an end to piracy. It not only hurts our industry but has caused SC, as well as other karaoke producers, to go out of business. On the other hand, I can understand that it makes no sense to invest time and money on lawsuits where there will be no financial gain. Meaning: Why would you put yourself at risk of losing thousands of dollars when you will end up with nothing in return. Maybe at the very least the pirate will get a judgement, but judgements don't pay the bills.

I really don't know what the answer is and how to stop piracy. I just wish there was a way.

My only suggestion to Mr. Harrington would be to target venues who hire pirates. Get those letters of warning out, make those phone calls and let us help.
and many of us have been doing that for years, but to date, not one single report has ever been investigated.
not just my word, about every 7-8 months the question is posed "who has had any of their reports investigated" and the response is 100% no.
hell, i'm in my 7th year of waiting...
You don't have to personally visit every establishment. Most of us know who and where the pirates are in are areas. We can tell you which venues to send letters to. And we can tell you if the venue complied or not.

I'm sure that, like many of us, Mr. Harrington would like to put an end to piracy. It not only hurts our industry but has caused SC, as well as other karaoke producers, to go out of business. On the other hand, I can understand that it makes no sense to invest time and money on lawsuits where there will be no financial gain. Meaning: Why would you put yourself at risk of losing thousands of dollars when you will end up with nothing in return. Maybe at the very least the pirate will get a judgement, but judgements don't pay the bills.

I really don't know what the answer is and how to stop piracy. I just wish there was a way.

My only suggestion to Mr. Harrington would be to target venues who hire pirates. Get those letters of warning out, make those phone calls and let us help.

You don't have to personally visit every establishment. Most of us know who and where the pirates are in are areas. We can tell you which venues to send letters to. And we can tell you if the venue complied or not.

Eloquently said.