News on Shedaisy, Marc Almond, Louis Armstrong
In a move that could have ramifications for songwriters and publishers in all genres of music, singer/songwriter Kristyn Osborn, a member of Lyric Street Records act Shedaisy, has filed a complaint against karaoke manufacturer MMO Music Group, Billboard Bulletin reports.
The suit -- filed yesterday (June 28) in U.S. District Court for the middle district of Tennessee, Nashville division -- alleges that MMO, which does business as Pocket Songs, infringed on Osborn's copyright for the Shedaisy song "I Will ... But" by making the music and lyrics available on its products without a license. The suit seeks an injunction against MMO plus damages.
Says Osborn, "I don't wish to stop the legitimate users and sellers of these products, I just want to help educate the public. If we handle this properly, it will benefit everyone." Bart Herbison, executive director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, is planning a town meeting to educate songwriters and publishers on copyright infringement from the karaoke industry.
-- Phyllis Stark, Nashville