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samuelchristian
26-05-2010, 04:33 PM
What are the legalities of using .kar files for a gig? I have found lots of sites with free .kar downloads. Is this legal?

Jason
26-05-2010, 08:21 PM
.kar files are basically MIDI files, with song lyrics.
Not really suitable for professional Karaoke, as they'll generally sound like a £50 Casio keyboard...
(margarita pracatan anyone?)

Legally, you're infringing the songwriters copyright.
So "A good Heart" performed by Fergal Sharkey, but written by Maria McKee in Karaoke would require payment to Maria McKee (as songwriter), and not Fergal Sharkey.

Normally this is handled by the Karaoke company (Sunfly etc) but for these files, (probably hand-arranged by home enthusiasts) will not have the same structure.

Its doubtful you'll get grief from the MCPS/PRS, but more likely you'll get grief from punters expecting a decent recording of their tune!

Sarahjovi
27-05-2010, 02:49 PM
they'll generally sound like a £50 Casio keyboard...
(margarita pracatan anyone?)


LOL, I would have said Casio is a bit generous, Bontempi is more like it!

Sarah:D

Jason
27-05-2010, 03:01 PM
Hey...! My old Casio did a mean BossaNova! lol