Rochester, NY
(March 14, 2001) - KAPA (Karaoke Anti-piracy Agency) is
presently investigating Karaoke copyright infringement throughout the
United States and Canada. These investigations are a result of
tips received from KAPA members and members of the Karaoke
community. Information regarding busts will be posted on the
KAPA website, www.karaokeantipiracyagency.com.
In December of
2000, a private investigator representing KAPA engaged in
conversation with Karaoke host Andrew Schneider at a Restaurant/Bar
in Rochester, NY. During the course of the conversation,
Schneider offered to burn copies of the CDGs for the
investigator. During subsequent conversations, Schneider was
given a cash advance towards the completion of the job.
Working in
conjunction with the NY State Police and the Monroe County Assistant
District Attorney, the investigator made arrangements to meet
Schneider at his residence and finalize the transaction. On
January 29, 2001, Schneider completed the sale of 115 counterfeit
CDGs with the private investigator. Once the CDGs were
identified as counterfeit, the NY State Police arrested Schneider at
his residence. He has been charged with 3rd Degree Trademark
Counterfeiting. The trial date has not been set as of this
posting. KAPA is seeking full restitution for the cost of the
investigation and for lost revenue.
Detroit, MI
(March 14, 2001) - As a result of tips to KAPA, investigators
representing KAPA discovered a karaoke host using illegal copies of
CDGs in her show. After investigating this host, the
investigator reported this illegal activity to the authorities. On
March 1, 2001, US Marshalls seized 49 counterfeit CDGs from Ms.
Speigel during her show in Detroit, MI. Speigel, who is co-partners
with Platinum Entertainment, was served with a complaint, motion,
order, writ and summons. Ms. Speigel admitted that she was
aware the CDGs were copies. The illegal copies were seized and
will be held as evidence pending court action. Speigal
purchased the copied CDGs from another source. Further
investigations and actions are forthcoming. This case is very
early in the litigation stage. Updates on this case and others
will be posted at www.karaokeantipiracyagency.com.
Canadian
Contest Is No Longer
It
is with regret that the Board of Directors of the Canadian Open
Country Singing Contest announce that at their meeting, Sunday,
January 14, 2001 a motion was passed that we will not hold a contest
this year. The Board has spent the last five months reviewing
options. Given the fact that there are still bills outstanding
from last year's contest, a recording for last year's winners to be
arranged and paid for plus an outstanding loan, none of the options
were feasible. Our Nevada Ticket sales at our Promo Booth in
the Simcoe Mall have dropped 60%.
While we
appreciate the fact that other agencies also rely on Nevada Ticket
sales to support their causes, no mall in Simcoe can support
two ticket vendors. The Brantford Casino certainly hasn't
helped either as people have only so much disposable income and most
seem to be spending what they would previously have spent on Nevada
Tickets at other locations such as the Casino. The Board of Directors
seriously considered downsizing the contest in an effort to stage our
27th Annual Canadian Open Country Singing Contest. Downsizing
included such items as location, prize structure and the number of
contestants but none of these options were acceptable nor were they
cost saving enough and despite appeals to both the private and
corporate sector for support no sponsorship was forthcoming.
To support Sylvia
McManis and Ray Danley in their comments in the Simcoe Reformer on
Friday, January 5, 2001 Simcoe definitely needs a Performing Arts
Centre. Weather has a definite impact on our contest.
July 1999 when we were anticipating huge crowds to help us
celebrate our 25th year in business people stayed away in droves due
to the intense heat and humidity and our admission revenue dropped by
50%. Simcoe can no longer afford to consider a centre such a
this as a luxury it has become a necessity to remain a thriving and
viable community. During our recent election candidates referred to
the Friendship Festival and Panorama and mentioned the good they did
for the community. No one mentioned the C.O.C.S.C.
We surveyed our
contestants recently. Of 240 contestants 175 responded.
We asked them what they spent in this community while they were
here. The range was from $200 to $1250. This money is
spent on accommodation (you can't get a motel room anywhere in the
area that weekend), food and gas. It's spent in this
community. The contest itself injects over $250,000 into the
community renting facilities and paying for services from businesses
in this community. Can this community afford to loose income of
close to $500,000? Our plan is to hold a contest in the year
2002. It may be in a different location. It may have a
different look but we are working towards that goal. At this time we
would like to offer thanks to the Waterford Pumpkin Fest who allowed
us to fundraise through parking and to Jerry Maloney of the Norfolk
Hotel who initiated 50/50 draws in his hotel in an effort to assist
us. To our members and volunteers our thanks for your ongoing
support with special mention of Keith Yearwood who sold 25 books of
tickets in our Christmas 50/50 draw. We will be sponsoring a
Teen Dance (for kids 9-13 yrs old ) at the Moose Lodge on January
27th and hopefully in the months to follow in an effort to both
fundraise and meet a need in the community. Any other
fundraising ideas, and sponsorship opportunities are encouraged.
For more
information on how you might be able to help cocsc@execulink.com
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