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Topic: Karaoke Legalities

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I’m a little confused when it comes to the legalities that surround karaoke. I know select-a-track allows you to use the tracks for commercial use. The same would be true for Virtualdj’s streaming content accounts. If I am correct, it is the venue’s responsibility to have the appropriate licenses for these items to be played there. Then, there are other sites I have come across like Karaoke Version. Their site says the following: “This website respects all music copyrights. All rights are reserved for the protected works reproduced on this website. Without permission, all uses other than home and private use are forbidden. All musical material is re-recorded and does not use in any form the original music or original vocals or any feature of the original recording.” It talked somewhere on Karaoke Version’s site that I would need to get some kind of license, but it isn’t exactly permission from them from what I understood. I have seen kj's use Karaoke Version. There is another site that is called sing-magic. Their Facebook page says we can use it for public use, does that mean the same as commercial? Does anyone have any answers?
 
Posted Sun 07 Apr 13 @ 1:27 pm
From what I understand, there is no "karaoke licence" available for venues..
Since a CDG is just music with a lyrics displayed it falls under the same rules of the music copyright laws..

any changes or derivatives of the original song must have permission of the writer of that song.. (which is why most karaoke songs are 'cover versions' as its cheaper to licence)

sooo.
same as using music CD's & cassettes & LP's (which in many cases also state "not for commercial use")
to be "broadcast" or played for the public The VENUE has to pay the PRO's (Performance Rights Organizations)
EG: ASCAP, BMI, etc etc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_rights_organisation

The PRO's dont really care what format the music is on.. (you can use a CD, computer, cassette, a Ukulele, bango, 5 piece band, etc etc)
they dont care that much, alls they want, is if one of their member artists songs gets played, the artist gets paid..

so , long story made longer..
those tracks are legal to use as long as the source was legal, and the venue is paying the "PRO's"
 
hippydog I'm surprised you don't know that there is a license needed in Canada for doing Karaoke in a bar. The organisation called RE Sound takes care of that. I'm aware that the bar I work at it costs about $80 per year for 3 days or less of hosting karaoke. Bars need a license for every aspect of music whether its music on hold, background music, DJ, karaoke etc. The only media that bars don't need a license for in Canada right now is strictly playing video format. If thats what they play as long as the doors are open to the public but I'm sure that will change very shortly. Even though there is no license all the other licenses still apply including dance floor taxes to the city if your city charges. For example Montreal has a dance floor tax and a seperate tax for having a karaoke machine in the establishment. Some cases it s just not worth it for the bar to have even a simple player even without a host. Now cross the bridge and go to the south shore and the city doesnt charge for the dance floor or a simple karaoke machine. There is a lot of research to find out what licenses are needed or the bars learn by surprise when they recieve a bill for a few years retro like the establishment where I work. The bar I work at just got a surprise bill for a music license that protect the mechanics of recording like studios, etc for $3000.00 But I proved that we only use video media and Karaoke so we saved paying the bill and only pay for karaoke and background music and a jukebox(thats a new one for us!).
 
funkmasterfrank wrote :
hippydog I'm surprised you don't know that there is a license needed in Canada for doing Karaoke in a bar.

I'm very much aware of them, they even did a presentation for our DJ Association last year..
ReSound is like ASCAP (who the USA guys are familiar with) or SOCAN (the original Canadian "PRO")
Resound wrote :
Re:Sound represents the performance rights of artists and record companies while SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) does the same for composers and music publishers. Re:Sound and SOCAN are distinct organisations that represent different groups and as such, both are required to be compensated.


but sorry, your correct I should have been more clear..
http://www.resound.ca/en/resources/forms.htm
When I said "no karaoke licence" I meant something that was specific to 'karaoke only' in the USA.. (this could have changed, I dont do karaoke so I dont keep up on the different tariff levels)

Either way, :-) the Venue if they use MUSIC of any type, needs to pay SOCAN & ReSound (or the equivalent PRO in that country)
The tariffs (or levels) seem to be based on how important the music is to the establishment.. IE: background music is cheaper then live music with dancing.. etc etc.. and many levels inbetween..
I think in the USA the karaoke tariff level is in with the jukebox tariff (no dancing)
 


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