DJ MARK WILLIAMS
We have designed a system, using Virtual dj. The end user has the responsibility of purchasing the software for the system, this includes:
1. Windows XP Pro
2. Virtual DJ
3. Nero Burning
4. Other software that may be required.
All other software, ie the system software, comes with the motherboard when the end user buys the system to their specifications.
Here's the big question?
In the UK, our legal system has had the Copyrights, Design and Patents Act which covers the ownership of "Works" done by another, but used by others. Since then incorporation of this, we have have had the Performing Rights Society and Public Performance Licence tightend to close the loop holes form the use of computerised "works".
The final strike, has been the incorporation of the Digital Dj's Licence, DDL !!!
The question I would like answering is, firstly I'm a law graduate whom specialised in Information Technology Law, and I am unsure of the implications even with my knowledge, and secondly, are we allowed to put any form of Mp3 or Mp3+cdg, .avi or .mpeg data on the systems as a starting package????
If we do, and supply all the relevant EULA end user details, are we covered so as not to be seen as supplying illegal "works" as if they are our own?????
An example of the confusion:
In the UK under the DDL, any Mp3 contained in a Digital Database requires a DDL if you use it in the public performance at an event, this is also requires the venue to have the PPL.
But, if you do Karaoke you don't need the DDL as the royalty is already paid by the Karaoke Disc company, but you need the PPL and PRS in a venue????
I conceed on this matter, because until we get clarification, we are looking at going out of business before we start. And as for the UK 'powers that be' they were about as much use as a Rottwieler with no teeth, but still wanted your money anyway !!!!!!!!!!!
Any help would be appreciated !!!!
Mark Williams
Kre8ion Systems (UK)
www.kre8ion-systems.co.uk
PS: the website is far from finished, so if you go to it, don't laugh to loud [Hee! Hee!]
1. Windows XP Pro
2. Virtual DJ
3. Nero Burning
4. Other software that may be required.
All other software, ie the system software, comes with the motherboard when the end user buys the system to their specifications.
Here's the big question?
In the UK, our legal system has had the Copyrights, Design and Patents Act which covers the ownership of "Works" done by another, but used by others. Since then incorporation of this, we have have had the Performing Rights Society and Public Performance Licence tightend to close the loop holes form the use of computerised "works".
The final strike, has been the incorporation of the Digital Dj's Licence, DDL !!!
The question I would like answering is, firstly I'm a law graduate whom specialised in Information Technology Law, and I am unsure of the implications even with my knowledge, and secondly, are we allowed to put any form of Mp3 or Mp3+cdg, .avi or .mpeg data on the systems as a starting package????
If we do, and supply all the relevant EULA end user details, are we covered so as not to be seen as supplying illegal "works" as if they are our own?????
An example of the confusion:
In the UK under the DDL, any Mp3 contained in a Digital Database requires a DDL if you use it in the public performance at an event, this is also requires the venue to have the PPL.
But, if you do Karaoke you don't need the DDL as the royalty is already paid by the Karaoke Disc company, but you need the PPL and PRS in a venue????
I conceed on this matter, because until we get clarification, we are looking at going out of business before we start. And as for the UK 'powers that be' they were about as much use as a Rottwieler with no teeth, but still wanted your money anyway !!!!!!!!!!!
Any help would be appreciated !!!!
Mark Williams
Kre8ion Systems (UK)
www.kre8ion-systems.co.uk
PS: the website is far from finished, so if you go to it, don't laugh to loud [Hee! Hee!]
Inviato Mon 19 Mar 07 @ 5:06 pm
Pionara
Not too hot on copyright laws in the UK myself, but one thing I do know is that karaoke from a computer is actually 'not permitted'.
I phoned Sunfly to enquire about buying their whole catalogue of monthly releases, and while I was on the phone, I gently probed the topic of doing karaoke from a computer, i.e. ripping the discs and playing them from your hard drive.
This is categorically not allowed. In fact, you're not even allowed to copy the CDG's that they issue so that you can just take copies along to gigs, thereby keeping your originals safe. You are only ever supposed use the original discs for any performance that you do.
Sunfly maintain (well, they did to me on the phone anyway) that while they do agree that the fact you can't even copy their discs is a bit harsh, the originals are of such high quality and good quality discs are used in the production of their monthly catalogue that they should last you 'on average of ten years' (under normal usage conditions) and should only inherit a 'few' scratches.
Not that I'm one to stick a cat amongst the pigeons, I don't really see how we can get round this one. I for one have used karaoke from a laptop and would soon be looking to run it from my gig machine, but if Copyright storm your gig they can sieze all your gear unless you can prove that you bought and own the originals. And even then, there'll undoubtedly be a hefty fine to pay. Again, the copyright laws are dragging us down.
I appreciate the Sunfly train of thought, but at the end of the day, I reckon karaoke discs/tracks should fall under the same rule as the DDJ licence. If it's on your system, you get a licence for it and it's ok to play it publically.
Keep spinnin'...(",)
P
I phoned Sunfly to enquire about buying their whole catalogue of monthly releases, and while I was on the phone, I gently probed the topic of doing karaoke from a computer, i.e. ripping the discs and playing them from your hard drive.
This is categorically not allowed. In fact, you're not even allowed to copy the CDG's that they issue so that you can just take copies along to gigs, thereby keeping your originals safe. You are only ever supposed use the original discs for any performance that you do.
Sunfly maintain (well, they did to me on the phone anyway) that while they do agree that the fact you can't even copy their discs is a bit harsh, the originals are of such high quality and good quality discs are used in the production of their monthly catalogue that they should last you 'on average of ten years' (under normal usage conditions) and should only inherit a 'few' scratches.
Not that I'm one to stick a cat amongst the pigeons, I don't really see how we can get round this one. I for one have used karaoke from a laptop and would soon be looking to run it from my gig machine, but if Copyright storm your gig they can sieze all your gear unless you can prove that you bought and own the originals. And even then, there'll undoubtedly be a hefty fine to pay. Again, the copyright laws are dragging us down.
I appreciate the Sunfly train of thought, but at the end of the day, I reckon karaoke discs/tracks should fall under the same rule as the DDJ licence. If it's on your system, you get a licence for it and it's ok to play it publically.
Keep spinnin'...(",)
P
Inviato Mon 19 Mar 07 @ 5:22 pm
DJ MARK WILLIAMS
This licence thing is so 'grey'. When you talk to the right organisations, they can't answer with the straight answer!
BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW THEMSELVES!!!!
I'm look into this in depth, and if I get anywhere then I'll post my findings.
I have heard that the European Commission may be able to help in this, so I'll probe them.
Any posts on this would be welcomed, as the more we ask the clearer the answer may become.
Because if we pay the licence fee, and it doesn't cover us, then why pay - you might as well risk it!
Keep spinin'
BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW THEMSELVES!!!!
I'm look into this in depth, and if I get anywhere then I'll post my findings.
I have heard that the European Commission may be able to help in this, so I'll probe them.
Any posts on this would be welcomed, as the more we ask the clearer the answer may become.
Because if we pay the licence fee, and it doesn't cover us, then why pay - you might as well risk it!
Keep spinin'
Inviato Fri 30 Mar 07 @ 12:58 pm
andytaylor125
Hi,
It's a real pain, isn't it!
I'm not sure about karaoke, but with songs, I'm sure that you could pre-load some songs on a computer, provided that you supplied each customer with the orignal cd which it came from.
So, if you wanted to put Now65 on each machine, I would think that you would have to buy a builk load of that cd, so that you can give each customer an original copy when they buy.
Then I would just include some instructions saying that under UK law it's illegal to play any music from a computer in public without a digital DJ license. Also that is is the users responseability to buy there own if they intend to use the system for public performance.
Obviously, I'm not a law graduate, but to me that would seem like the most proper way of doing that.
It's a real pain, isn't it!
I'm not sure about karaoke, but with songs, I'm sure that you could pre-load some songs on a computer, provided that you supplied each customer with the orignal cd which it came from.
So, if you wanted to put Now65 on each machine, I would think that you would have to buy a builk load of that cd, so that you can give each customer an original copy when they buy.
Then I would just include some instructions saying that under UK law it's illegal to play any music from a computer in public without a digital DJ license. Also that is is the users responseability to buy there own if they intend to use the system for public performance.
Obviously, I'm not a law graduate, but to me that would seem like the most proper way of doing that.
Inviato Fri 30 Mar 07 @ 1:15 pm