Karaoke Piracy - Funeral or Fair Treatment

“Karaoke’s Funeral” Or “Fair Treatment”

What’s fair? Do Producers, Manufacturers, Vendors and Users have a right to expect fair treatment if they choose to be in the Karaoke Industry? I believe most would answer yes, if they were asked this question.

Should a Producer/Manufacturer expect to recover Production costs? Should a Vendor expect to make a fair profit on Karaoke Products sold? Should Karaoke System Operators have an expectation of working in a fair environment where Product Costs put them on an even playing field?

Rest In Peace

Music Maestro is gone, DK and Pioneer went many years ago and every day brings us closer to no suppliers. Priddis who produced product not provided by most other manufacturers are gone. Thankfully, Chartbusters, Pocket Songs and a couple of others struggle to remain in business.

Artists are removing rights to reproduce their material. Monetary return is becoming so low it is hardly worth selling rights because; CDG Karaoke discs produced do affect the regular CD market. We have been forced to go abroad to England and Australia in order to obtain material requested by customers. Like most Law abiding Citizens, I for one would have no difficulty answering yes to all of these questions.

Unfortunately these are not, the most important questions. Consider, should these Manufacturers, Vendor and Performers expect, Lawful Authority will take whatever steps possible to ensure these rights and privileges are neither condoned nor ignored. Copyright Infringement is a Federal Offence which should be policed and controlled by a Federal Police Agency.

I am a Canadian but that is of little importance because, problems and lack of control are very much alike in Canada and the U.S.A. A recent occurrence in Canada, my Home town, has left me wondering? Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada very recently was awarded an NHL Hockey Team. The team is named “Winnipeg Jets”. Hockey Fans were ‘chomping at the bit’, each wanting to be first acquiring something with a new team Logo on it. Fans were not disappointed; in short order a flood of such items hit Stores; Jackets, Caps, Sweat Shirts and ‘T’ Shirts, everything from Key Chains to Earrings.

Fact; many of these items were not sanctioned or commissioned by Copyright owners of the Logo. Items were literally flying off shelves at prices most would consider much higher than true value. Increased prices were justified because those items bore a Logo of the Jets. In a matter of weeks, sales at the team’s souvenir shop slowed but it was believed demand was still there. It wasn’t long before similar items bearing Jets Team Logo were found in outlets far and wide and their origin was a puzzle. Team Franchise owners were losing a bundle; Fans were purchasing Pirated or Copyright Infringement garments and knick-knacks at greatly reduced cost.

It was obvious to those in the know; these items were arriving from the Orient. Some nefarious Citizen was bold enough to actually infringe on a copyright. Within a matter of days, lawful authorities in Canada including Customs Agents were called to action. Incoming goods were examined; anything resembling a counterfeit was confiscated. Lawful Authority attended at premises known to be in possession of these items. They were not difficult to find, one merely had to look and see where goods were destined to be delivered. It is mind boggling to see how fast Lawful Authority can react when Copyrights of an NHL Team Organization are pirated. TV News Channels, Radio Stations and Major Newspapers carried a story expressing their disgust. Dis-belief! Someone had done such a deceitful thing.

Some may think I disagree with the actions of our Police Forces. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m very happy this action was taken and very supportive of any other procedure which may come about to stop illegal entry of unlawful goods into Canada. It has taken me this long to come to my point and I apologize for the length of this entry but I feel you must have some knowledge of occurrences before you will understand my point. Over 5 years ago I attended at an R.C.M.P. Detachment in Winnipeg to inform them of what was going on in our Karaoke Industry. This was subsequent to my contacting local Police who advised they had no jurisdiction over copyright infringement or Piracy.

I wonder what their reply would have been had I told them I just robbed a local bank. Theft is Theft in my books and stealing property is no less a crime than stealing money. At this time I learned, One Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable stationed several hundred miles away, was the only Lawful Authority in all of Canada assigned to look after problems plaguing the Karaoke Industry. More specifically, acts of Copyright Infringement and Piracy. The issues I outlined for the Responsible Constable(?) seemed gratefully received but considering he was told; Names and locations of offenders and, I would produce conclusive documentary evidence copyright infringement and piracy of Karaoke Music was alive and well in Winnipeg and further, I’m a Retired Police Officer fully aware of what evidence is admissible and competent to report incidents in an Objective manner.

In spite of information delivered to applicable Lawful Authority, to my knowledge, absolutely nothing has transpired: Karaoke Hosts and Hostesses continue their unlawful acts. Vendors of Karaoke Products are being forced out of business due in part to diminishing sales and profits directly related to pirated product in the market. Some of the most notable Manufacturers have closed their doors, no longer able to recover costs of production or profit form their efforts. If all Karaoke lovers don’t soon band together to curb Piracy If we don’t quit being enablers by accepting pirated discs, I tell you on good authority, in the near future, we will not be able to procure quality products we now enjoy from reputable manufacturers because they will cease to exist.

Why do I believe this? In the 1980’s I entered the Karaoke business as an MC and vocalist for a local Karaoke Company. Soon after, I bought my own High End Karaoke System and began a lengthy career as a Karaoke Host. I made good contact with Manufacturers and soon had an enviable collection of songs. Patrons and other Karaoke Hosts asked me to acquire discs for them because at that time there was only one retailer in our City of over half a million people.

 I began supplying discs as requested and this soon turned into supplying Karaoke machines and full sound systems. Before long my home was not big enough to accommodate the retail sale of Karaoke products and I opened a little store in an inexpensive Mall. Knowledge I had acquired as a Radio Technician helped me to expand our operation to, Sales and Service. In time we contacted Karaoke Vendors throughout Canada and became their supplier.

This greatly increased our buying power which enabled us to provide Karaoke products wholesale and at reduced retail prices. In years since, we have purchased stock from retailers going out of business and at the same time increased our customer base by acquiring their mailing lists. We, my wife and I, are now owners of the largest Karaoke Supply Company in Canada and thanks to our customers and pensions; we have been able to keep the business afloat. How long we will be in business, I don’t know. Why, because our suppliers re drying up. Sound Choice, agreeably one of the largest and Highest Quality Producers in North America have not released new material in about three years and they will readily admit, for the last few discs they produced, production costs were not recovered.

Our biggest problem is not customer base or sales. Hundreds of Karaoke Singers would never consider using anything but legitimate products and our Karaoke Disc Jockeys feel the same way.

Our problem is supply. If conditions prevail in their present state, we will not be able to purchase product to pass on to customers. Like the proverbial Ice Cream Vendor whose refrigeration broke down, it’s hard to sell ice cream when your product is a pool in the bottom of your freezer. The Ice Cream is gone and it will be a while before it comes back. We cannot provide product from empty shelves.

When the supply of Karaoke Products dries up there will be no reason for Karaoke Retailers to remain in business. I really don’t wish to see that day so I will continue to carry complaints to Lawful Authority and encourage some action against offenders. Am I concerned, because of my attitude, offenders will quit buying from me? Not in the least because they are not legally buying from anyone.

I much prefer to attend a Marriage than a Funeral. If we get together with Manufacturers and each one of us does what they can to put the Pirates out of business we can avoid the Funeral. I have had my say and I will graciously accept your responses whether you agree with me or not and I promise, future entries or responses will be much more brief. If you read this far I am encouraged to believe you may care. Without asking, I know, honest Karaoke Disc Jockeys outnumber the others. We can win the fight but not alone. Thank you.