DJ's and KJ's who offer thousands of song selections, and cannot offer proof of their legality, are pirates. YOU,
as a Club, Venue or Event host may be held legally and financially accountable for a pirate's copyright and
or trademark infringements. A venue owner who knowingly hires a contractor that is in violation of the law,
risks sanctions including the possible loss of their liquor license. Your Entertainment Licenses will not cover
a Pirate, or protect you from possible prosecution!
"Individuals or Businesses that have
a financial benefit from providing an opportunity for such infringing individuals or businesses to operate, create a liability
for themselves and can be found to have vicarious or contributory liability." (as
quoted directly from: The KIAA WebSite)
It is up to
YOU as the person, or corporate representative responsible for employing said Karaoke Entertainment to check the legal status
of your entertainers. The easiest way is to view their CD+G Discs, or ask for proof of legal compliance. REAL discs
are "original" factory labeled discs, NEVER "burned copies". If Your Entertainers use digital formats such as PC, Laptop,
or Hard-drive units, ask to see the original discs that were loaded into their system, or a verifiable digital license.
If they hand you excuses, or refuse to comply with your reasonable request, it's time to wish them well, point out the
error of their ways, and say GOOD-BYE!
Legitimate Karaoke Entertainers are Proud to prove their discs are original and that their digital recordings are from
verifiable sources.
Karaoke Pirates are nothing more than thieves, and they hurt everyone involved with them. They also harm the legitimate
Karaoke industry by driving up operating costs and bringing into question the standing of HONEST hard-working Entertainers.
DJ-Mace and RoadShow Karaoke Entertainment are proud to be one of very FEW entertainment
companies that strive to be in 100% compliance with the current but ever-changing laws. We will, at your request, provide
you with the opportunity to view the Digital licensing for ALL of the songs in our collection. All DJ "fill" music
loaded into our Lap-top system is also from Factory Original discs in our collection, which is open for
your inspection as well.
Note: If you hire an entertainment company that has several KJ's working with several
different systems, EACH system MUST be supported with it's own individual set of Factory Original Discs or
licensed verifiable copies... if they aren't, they are PIRATES! Several systems can not be covered by only one
set of original discs or one set of licensed verifiable digital copies. It may be expensive, but
it is the LAW.
PIRATE Karaoke Questions and Answers...
Q: As a venue Owner / Manager, how do I know if
I've hired a PIRATE Karaoke company?
A: If your host uses CDs (CD+G) that are marked with
anything but Original Factory Markings they are absolutely NOT legal...only the ORIGINAL CD+G discs are
legal for commercial use!
Q: My KJ (Karaoke Jockey) uses discs that
are marked with a marker and no factory labeling, should I fire him or her?
A: Not necessarily, you could ask them to use only their
FACTORY ORIGINAL CD+G discs first...and if they refuse or they can't comply THEN terminate their employment.
Q: My KJ informed me that they do not own the original discs
but they have a "digital licence" are they OK?
A: Ask to examine it... look for an official office contact
and then confirm the "licence". If the licensing is not verifiable, it's not legal.
Q: My Karaoke Host uses a Hard Drive System / Computer and
has informed me that the songs came loaded in the system, without the discs, and are not necessary.
A: Not True... All systems must be in some
way verifiable.
Q: My KJ works cheaper than everyone else in the area, why
should I question them?
A: Don't... IF you can afford the fines or even
losing your liquor license, roll those dice!
Q: My Karaoke Host has thousands and thousands of songs,
are they legal?
A: Only if they own and use the Original Factory
Discs or own licensed verifiable digital copies. The money spent on thousands of legal songs should be thousands
of dollars.
Q: Why is hiring a Legal Karaoke operation with Karaoke Catalogs containing
Licensed music so Important...? After all, aren't I saving money hiring the Pirate Karaoke Company?
A: Well, let's pretend that a Bar or Club just like yours, opened across
the street from your place...The only difference is, THEY serve COUNTERFIET "Brand Name" Food, Liquor and Beer,
it tastes the same as the original, AND they get those Counterfeit supplies for FREE! What a surprise,
they are undercutting your prices and stealing your business! You can't compete against that right? It's not fair
right? It's not LEGAL right?
This is EXACTLY what the legitimate Karaoke host is up against!
Venue Operators Beware...
The entertainment licensing fees paid to BMI, ASCAP, etc. will not protect you
or your business if you have knowingly hired a PIRATE Karaoke Host. The copies of their music, the images and lyrics shown
on the screen, and the performances of those works in your venue, are indeed illegal.
Both the Karaoke Pirates and the Venues that
hire them are now being Sued by the Karaoke Music Manufactures, who hold the Copyrights and Trademarks being VIOLATED
by the Pirates.
A Lawsuit is very EXPENSIVE... even if you WIN !!!
To the best of our knowledge, the information contained above was current and correct as
of 03/24/11. The changes in copyright law and "fair use" are on-going. Most legal sources maintain that "fair use" includes
the transfer of digital media as: "1 to 1"... HOWEVER the commercial use
of copied (burned) Karaoke CD+Gs is not legal for use in venues for profit (even
for free drinks)... Commercial for profit Karaoke MUST be either from the Factory Original Discs or from
licensed Digital Copies ONLY.
I state here and now, for your information and legally for the record...
I presently have in my posession, and have always had, a "Factory Original" disc for each
and every song in my books and/or a Digital License for all digital copies in my collection!
Would you like an opportunity to inspect my Licenses?
