[DECtalk] Vocal Writer
Dectalk at aol.com
Dectalk at aol.com
Sun Mar 5 16:08:39 EST 2006
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)
SNOOPI
In a message dated 3/5/2006 12:56:51 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
tony at baechler.net writes:
As I said, I don't wish to debate the copyright issue. Personally, I
agree with you. You're probably right in some countries, but not the
US. The UK might possibly have such an exception, but the US
doesn't. If you sing in the shower or if a kid sings for the fun of
it, it is not a public performance which is the key
here. Unfortunately, either Jayson's archive or planetmirror are
public, so either way it counts as a public performance and that's
where the issue comes into a problem. It makes no difference whether
you sell the music or not, you or a computer is performing it
publicly so it's illegal in the US. It makes no difference whether
you're disabled. Personally, I totally agree with you that this is
bogus but that's the way it is. That also means that your CD
violates copyright by putting anything after 1923 on it. The
Schoolhouse Rock you sent to the list might be OK since it's not a
public site, but selling it on a CD is very bad. I would hope you
don't get sued but plan on it if the RIAA or ASCAP find out. I've
done a lot of copyright research so go ahead and prove me wrong if
you can find the law. My understanding of the actual laws, not just
guessing, is the above. Someone correct me if they have a good
knowledge of US law but I'm 99% sure I'm right.
At 10:40 AM 3/4/2006, you wrote:
>I have an argument on that. First of all, anyone can sing in the
>shower without paying royalties. Well, people who can't talk have
>Dectalk in their communication device, so what if they wanted to
>sing in the shower?
>
>Now, when I buy sheet music I'm converting it into an alternative
>format which is legal. Alternative formats for the disabled are
>exampt from paying royalties which is why the library for the blind
>can put books and newspapers on tape, CD, oe the talking book radio.
>
>A Dectalk file can not be converted back into sheet music, therefore
>I'm not copying anything.
>
>Now, to record an album, yes, you do need to pay royalties. But to
>just sing a Scout song, camp song, sing Happy Birthday to a friend,
>or whatever, I will fight to the death before I pay royalties.
>
>If a 5 year old starts singing "THE WHEELS ON THE BUS" no one has to
>pay royalties. So setting up a communication device so a disabled 5
>year old can sing the same song is simply equal access. Dectalk is
>nothing more than an external voice for many people. It's no
>different than walking with a wheelchair, seeing with a seeing eye
>dog, or anything else.
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