Downloadable Karaoke Songs

[RandyMcCharles]

And this is where it gets very confusing. After reading several vague FAQs and answers to emails, what it looks like:
1. The manufacturer/download company only purchases personal use rights. (Possibly the public use rights are including in the mechanical rights, which I think is tied to the pressing of the CDG)
2. However, bars pay for the rights to play music in their establishment, which is why they can play a radio or music station). These rights also include the playing karaoke music.
3. The point of contention is in displaying the karaoke lyrics, which is not included in the entertainment fees the bar is paying. Therefore it should be just fine to take your download and sing to it provided only you, the private purchaser, see the lyrics. And there seems to be no mechanism for you as a download purchaser to pay for the right to show the lyrics in public.

Therefore, it appears to be technically illegal for a KJ to purchase a karaoke download and use it in commercial or non-commercial public shows. It can, however, be used in private, non-commercial settings.

That said, everything I have seen has been vague and unclear. Even the manufacturers and download companies don't seem to have a clear understanding. Most of them don't seem to have a license statement or a FAQ. Those that did were unclear. I emailed for clarification and either got further muddiness for no answer.

If anyone can shed more light on the the question of legally using a download in place of a manufactured CDG, please enlighten us.

[RandyMcCharles]

I clicked on a link from Karaoke Warehouse and went to ibackTracks. Under terms of use it said: "The tracks distributed by iBackTracks recordings are for personal use and live performance. However, elsewhere it said that downloaded tracks do not include lyrics. If you purchase a custom disk however, you will receive lyrics if they are available. I could not find a notice that said their tracks were not for public use. (I am sure it is there, I just couldn't find it

[billyo]

Originally Posted by RandyMcCharles

I clicked on a link from Karaoke Warehouse and went to ibackTracks. Under terms of use it said: "The tracks distributed by iBackTracks recordings are for personal use and live performance. However, elsewhere it said that downloaded tracks do not include lyrics. If you purchase a custom disk however, you will receive lyrics if they are available. I could not find a notice that said their tracks were not for public use. (I am sure it is there, I just couldn't find it

if i not mistaken they were talking about a regular mp3 karaoke disc, not an mp3+g

[RandyMcCharles]

That makes sense. Still confusing to me what applies to what when their Terms Of Use are off by themselves and they sell multiple products.

[billyo]

those mp3 karaoke disc only come with the vocal guides, but no graphics, it's a step back, like using the old cassette tapes, one side with vocals, one side with tracks, at least those cassetes came with lyric sheets