Kar-eee-oooooooooh-keeeeeeeee!
Since JoCo fans -- both Sea Monkeys and Land Ponies -- seem to be very enthusiastic about karaoke, I figured it made sense to start a topic about it. I created some MP3 and CD+G karaoke files of JoCo songs, some of which were used in the performances on JCCC2. (Jason Roop also did some of them, and JoCo himself did some.) I've also done the only (as far as I know) Paul and Storm karaoke track, and am working on a couple that contain alternative lyrics for JoCo songs. And I believe that I've also done the only Marian Call CD+G file (for "Love and Harmony," of course).
None of the Artificial Heart karaoke tracks are up on JoCo's Web site yet. Should they be? What other karaoke would folks like to see created? (The particular Creative Commons license used by JoCo, Paul and Storm, and many other artists allows it automatically if it's not for profit. Also, most artists recognize that it's good publicity and will grant permission for tracks to be created even if there is a charge for them.) Has anyone here performed JoCo karaoke for a non-Sea Monkey audience... and, if so, how did they respond?
None of the Artificial Heart karaoke tracks are up on JoCo's Web site yet. Should they be? What other karaoke would folks like to see created? (The particular Creative Commons license used by JoCo, Paul and Storm, and many other artists allows it automatically if it's not for profit. Also, most artists recognize that it's good publicity and will grant permission for tracks to be created even if there is a charge for them.) Has anyone here performed JoCo karaoke for a non-Sea Monkey audience... and, if so, how did they respond?
Comments
Yes, it would.
NO CARRIER
Legally, the rule is that anyone can perform anything live (that's free speech). But publishing and commercial exploitation usually require permission. (For example, an establishment where performances occur may need to pay fees to a performing rights organization.) There's also some question as to whether compulsory mechanical licenses cover karaoke. (Most people assumed they did until recently, when one US District Court ruled that a synchronization license was required. But that court doesn't have jurisdiction throughout the whole US, so the waters are now muddied.)
The upshot of all of this: I can definitely make a karaoke file and use it myself, or bring it to a karaoke event, without asking anyone. I can probably also give it to a few people privately, if they agree that it's not for publication. But unless the author has already granted blanket permission (e.g. via a Creative Commons-type license), it's best to get permission before putting it up for everyone to download.