online downloads

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by George

Don't see that there is any way to download and be legal.

One will not have the original disc on hand, and everyone seems to agree that is a requirement.

Think TOPHAND better stick with the ones that will make a custom disc... Sound Choice, Priddis, etc.

George,
Let's look at what the product is here. Is it the plastic disc that the song that is recorded on it, or is it the recording itself? Since a plastic disc (blank disc) is useless to a DJ or a karaoke host unless it has content on it that he can play through a PA system, I would venture to say that is is the recording we are paying for. Now there was a time when I had three formats to choose from whem I bought a recording.

1. Vinal Records

2. Eight Track Tapes

3. Cassette Tape

There was a second time when three formats were available being:

1. Vinal Records

2. Cassette Tapes

3. Compact Disc (CD's)

In the case of every format I have paid as little as $1 for a ten track recording (sometimes less). Granted these recodings were on sale BUT the fact remains that I paid $.10 OR LESS per track and have the right to use them legaly because I have a receipt proving where I bought the recording.

Never did I feel I was doing something "illegal" because the recording I bought was a CD (digital format) as apposed to a tape or record (analog format). I paid for the recording therefor I have the right to use it to make money, everybody got paid. They may not have been paid as much as someone who produce a Beatles recording BUT they did get paid.

When I pay for an upgrade to Hoster or any of the other progam that MTU provides, am I illegal because I downloaded it and didn't buy a plastic disc with the upgrade burned into it? I've upgraded many times and not once have the police knocked on my door. This is because MTU gives us permission to (and instructs us to) accquire their program upgrades in the manner. They suggest we downlaod the upagrade THEN burn it to a disc. Does this make MTU an illegal company?

If a company (say Karaoke Monthly) give us permission to pay for and downlaod (and use) thier recordings, it's no different than a company like MTU giving us permission to pay for and downlaod (and use) their progarams.

I have to agree with cartunesdj, keeping track of your reciepts is crucial but so it is with all aspects of business.

If a person is uncomfortable downlaoding and buying MP3+G karaoke tracks then I advise they don't do it BUT I just don't see where it's illegal if the tracks are being purchased for $.99 or more. It's like the difference between a vinal recording and a CD, same recording - different format. Disc or downlaod, same recording - different format. To quote Bob Dylan, "Oh the times they are a changin'".

It's All Good!

Jim