[DECtalk] Vocal Writer
Dectalk at aol.com
Dectalk at aol.com
Mon Mar 6 11:36:25 EST 2006
Lets just drop this issue and agree to disagree. This will eventually take
a Court ruling because there are other things to add in to this. It ain't
black and white.
SNOOPI
In a message dated 3/6/2006 12:50:34 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
tony at baechler.net writes:
Hi. That's all very interesting, but that doesn't change the law. I
have no special "tune" here. Really, I don't. I agree with
you. However, the US law doesn't look at it that way. I can tell
you a story too. There was a country music star who wrote a
book. She wanted the book up in Braille. She was refused because it
was against US copyright law. Unfortunately, and here is where we
get into things like Creative Commons and the new music revolution
gradually taking place, it isn't up to the stars. Often stars have
no say. They have to do what agents tell them. Often they report to
RIAA which is very controling. There are musicians unions and
recording artist unions, all of which want their piece of the
pie. Therefore, it makes no difference what you think, what I think,
or what the stars think. I understand that you aren't selling songs
on the CD, however it is still public performance so it still falls
under the law. As I said before, find the actual code to contradict
me in USC Title 17 and I'll apologize and shut up, but I'm 99% sure
that I'm right.
Now, I'll address your other points. About singing in public bars,
etc. They probably pay ASCAP fees. I'm almost sure of
it. Obviously if you go to someone's house and sing, they aren't
going to pay royalties. However, that isn't a public performance
since it is a private person's house. Even though say 20 people are
invited over for a party, it isn't a public establishment that anyone
can walk into and sing. Therefore, while you have a fine argument,
it doesn't really apply. Look at most Internet broadcasters. Yep,
they have to pay ASCAP and BMI fees also. Ask restaurants. I bet
they do or maybe there is a provision I'm overlooking but
doubtful. Heck, they have to pay to play recorded music so I don't
see why letting the public sing should be different.
For your third point, I would say that you're mixing apples and
oranges. You say that people who can't speak use synthesized speech
as their voice. OK, granted. I have two arguments on that. First,
even at that, it is you who wrote the files, not the person who
doesn't speak. that's no different than saying that I can share a
book by Tolkien with the world because I can't read. Sorry, the law
doesn't work that way. Second, you're right in that it might be
overlooked since the person couldn't sing otherwise, but how many
people on this list and who download from the archive or buy your CD
really fall into that classification? I know there are deaf people
who are blind but they can generally speak. If there are people here
who don't speak except with a synthesized voice, please don't be
offended. My point is not at all to pick on you, but rather to show
that the law still applies to everyone else. I suppose if you had a
disclaimer that your CD was only for people who can't speak that
might work, but how would you enforce it? Sorry, but most of your
arguments don't hold water. For the final time, please look up
U.S.C. Title 17 and read the law for yourself. Show me where I'm
wrong. I will not discuss this further on list, it's off topic and
only results in people being upset. I'll leave you with one final
link. http://www.copyright.gov/
At 01:08 PM 3/5/2006, you wrote:
>Oh really? Maybe this will change your tune.
>
>Sandi Patty, Donny and Maurie Ozmond, Tim Mchraw, Cher, and Leanne
>Rhymes all have heard their own songs coming out of Dectalk, even
>Joni Erickson. Plus I personally sang in a Sandi Patty
>concert. Not one of these people has had an issue with their songs
>being converted and shared among the disabled. Sandi thought I was
>nuts for making a computer voice sing like her, but didn't have a
>problem with what I was doing. Come to think of it a 9 year old
>sang the Anthem for President Bush at the White House with no
>problem. Donny and Maurie ended up buying a device for a hospital
>after it sang Paper Roses as part of the dedication. Joni Erickson
>was excited when I personally met and told her I had some of her
>stuff in Dectalk. Shoot, there's a guy in Nashville who sings for
>every big star he meets.
>The point is, if there was a legal issue, don't you think one of
>these big stars would have said something? Not one ever has! They
>all understand that this is how the disabled community sings and
>that Dectalk is not a recording of any kind.
>
>I have 2 CD's out and I paid royalties because that is recorded stuff.
>
>But look at karaoke and how big that is. Karaoke is done publicly
>and no one pays royalties. Well, some of my songs are karaoke
>compatible so the disabled can sing karaoke just like any other
>person. I'm sorry but this is not an copy right issue, it's simply
>equal access.
>
>I think the problem with bluegrasspals is you all view Dectalk as a
>fun toy. But for people who can't talk, this is their voice. There
>is a Minsing quire, a group of adults that all sing in harmoney with
>Dectalk. Lots of people go Christmas Caroling using Dectalk. Kids
>who can't talk are able to take part in music class because of Dectalk.
>
>You guys are making me mad because by suggesting that we are all
>breaking the law by programming Dectalk to sing, is like saying you
>want to vanish singing from the entire disabled community. So you
>may as well put the [:phone off] command right into the speak button
>so no one can ever sing ever sing again?
>
>Make your mark in the world by taking away people's only way of
>singing. (SICK)
_______________________________________________
DECtalk mailing list
DECtalk at bluegrasspals.com
http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://bluegrasspals.com/pipermail/dectalk/attachments/20060306/ae411d65/attachment.html>
More information about the Dectalk
mailing list