Sound Choice now selling pre- ripped songs.

[Roy Dennis]

Just been nosing at the sound choice site. Seems they are now selling their tracks already ripped to disc for computer use. They are calling it their Gem series. This is the link if you want to check it out http://www.soundchoicestore.com/gem-...oke-pg-59.html

This is taken from their Site:
If you intend to format or media shift the song tracks from a CDG to a hard drive system (a lap top computer, for example), we will issue you a “Covenant Not to Sue” document for making the shift (and creating a new copy), which requires that you do not use the discs, but keep them in your possession and that you have a 1:1 relationship between the songs files on your computer and the songs on the original discs. (In other words, you can’t create a new copy and then sell the original discs and you can’t have any music on your computer for which you did not buy and still own an original disc). We also will try to arrange audits IN ADVANCE of any actions by Sound Choice for those that want to prove compliance and legitimacy without having to be prompted or investigated as the motivation.
That's one advantage of licensing the GEM Series, all of this is clearly spelled out in writing for the Licensee and they can show that they are legal and legitimate with Sound Choice to any venue which asks for proof of compliance with Sound Choice's policies.

[ddouglass]

I am not so sure this is as great as it sounds. If they were to get together with all of the producers and had a blanket license then that may be ok. But if tis takes hold and each profucer does there own you could end up paying additional license fees to each and everyone of them which could run into hundreds of dollars in recurring fees. Not to mention you have to buy a large set and cannot get individual disks.
I think it is SC trying to get back into the market and making sure they have a press down on you. Sounds to me like they could request an audit with you whenever they want. I think I will continue boycotting them and just let them die in this market or change their attitude.

[Roy Dennis]

Same here

[Lonman]

I think it's a great set. This is a precursor to things to come I feel. I don't see why anyone would want to boycott if you have the discs already.

[ddouglass]

#1. You are going to get charged an additional up to $100 every 5 years.
#2 . They can call for an audit of your entire collection (not just their cds) any time they desire.
#3. None of it is going to be sold as individual CDs. Only in one big set so they can make a big profit. All of this material are songs they have already paid the royalties on and are reproducing again in MP3+G format instead of CDG.
They are broke and need some way to recoup their losses. This is the way I see it. IMHO they have only changed their methods but it is still a way for them to keep their claws in us.

[Musicman51]

I think it's a great set. This is a precursor to things to come I feel. I don't see why anyone would want to boycott if you have the discs already.

Things to come? We're fed up to here with their "things to come". I wouldn't purchase a stick of gum from'em, and i to don't play their music. I had every original disc to match my hard drive. Long since taken them all off. I have lost a couple through the years. The way they have treated legal kj's...they can kiss the better part...well nevermind. And no way, has anyone proven they have done a thing for the betterment of karaoke, but lined their greedy pockets. They can keep it. But thanks roy for the news just the same. I don't even waste my time with their website. We had a very sucessful "Sound Choice Disc Burn" up here, had a great time.