A creator's right to his work is protected by the first section of the U.S. Constitution. This right lasts as long as the creator is alive. The creator---in the case of karaoke, the songwriter or singer---must authorize the use of his creation---in this case, a song---for the commercial use of others. Generally, karaoke bars offer video recordings of customers singing. However, if the karaoke bar owner has not bought the rights to the song, he can not legally record his customers singing.
The Fair Use doctrine allows users to make copies or back up recordings for personal use. This doctrine also can apply to karaoke bar owners. Under the Fair Use principle, they can back up karaoke songs combined with graphics for archival purposes. The application of this doctrine to karaoke songs combined with graphics is controversial, though. Music and film corporations hold that making back-up copies of karaoke songs combined with graphics should not fall under the Fair Use doctrine because they make money off the rights to these materials.
If music is going to be used in sync with a visual image, whoever is broadcasting the music and image must buy a synchronization license. This license is available for a flat fee. In 2006, members of the rock band The Eagles sued a karaoke device company who did not pay synchronization licensing fees on the band's songs. The manufacturer claimed it did not have to pay these fees because its device, which displays the lyrics of a song while playing it, did not produce material on which synchronization licensing was applicable. However, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed with the manufacturer.