Contestants may submit as many songs into as many categories as he/she wishes, but each category submission or additional song requires an additional entry fee. Song critiques are not given unless otherwise specified and paid for during submission. Song critiques are available for those who do not submit an entry into the contest. Song critiques have a $8.95 fee per song.  One check or money order payment for multiple entries/categories is permitted. (All fees are non-refundable from the point/date of purchase). Neither Song of the Year nor any of its affiliates are responsible for lost or damaged entries. If a damaged product arrives by mail you will be notified and will have the opportunity to resend the material. The resent material must be received within 5 business days after you are contacted to be eligible for that month’s competition. Otherwise, your song will be automatically submitted into the next month’s contest. CD’s, cassettes, or other submitted materials will not be returned. Do not send the original copy of your material.

  It is the contestant's responsibility to submit the correct amount for the song entries. If multiple songs are entered and the monies submitted to Song of the Year do not cover all the song submissions, Song of the Year will accept the first songs listed on the submission form as entries into the contest. It is the contestant's responsibility to select the appropriate pricing package when entering. It is the contestant's responsibility to provide accurate and complete information on the submission form. The contestant is responsible for providing Song of the Year their material either through postal mail, email, upload, or via a website and/or EPK..

The yearly winners will be selected by an elite panel of judges. This panel will consist of successful songwriters as well as music industry professionals. Songs will be judged based on melodies, music, and lyrics (when applicable). The "Lyric Category" will be judged on just the lyrics. Recording quality will not be considered. Home recordings and live recordings are acceptable and won’t negatively affect the judging of the songwriting.

The free monthly membership to Online Gigs is for one month only. Multiple submissions in one month or submissions entered throughout multiple months does not grant the songwriter additional time for the free monthly trial of Online Gigs. The free monthly subscription will only be given to the primary songwriter as indicated on the submission form. A credit card may be required for Online Gigs sign up but it will not be charged unless you want to extend your membership beyond the free monthly trial period.

  Song of the Year's  monthly winners and finalists will be chosen in each category on a monthly basis. Song of the Year reserves the right to place your song in the next month’s competition if postmark exceeds the prior monthly timeline. The postmark will determine which month the song is enrolled in. All postmarks after December 31^st, 2008 will not be accepted for the December’s competition but will be entered into the January 2009 competition. Song of the Year reserves the rights to exchange the prize packages at anytime with other products or service with the same or greater value. The 2009 cash and prizes may vary from the 2007 and 2008 contest. The monthly winner’s song in each category will compete against the other monthly winners in their respective category at the end of the year to determine which song will represent each category for the final judging. These top songs from each category will be considered the "Top Ten" yearly winners as indicated for the prize packages. The top pick from each category will then compete with the top picks from all of the other categories for the Grand Prize.

  All winners and finalists will be contacted after each month's results are in. Song of the Year winners will be sent additional information which will include a “Distribution Agreement”. This form must be returned within 7-10 business days after receiving it. This document will give Song of the Year permission to submit your material to various media outlets, not limited to television, radio, internet sites, and publications for publicity and advertising purposes. Enclosed with the Distribution Agreement will be additional forms that allow Song of the Year to submit your song(s) to record labels, management firms, entertainment attorneys, publishing companies, and other industry professionals. The songwriter is not required to sign the Distribution Agreement. Neither Song of the Year nor any of its affiliates will own any part of your song or copyright. The songwriter will continue to be the sole owner of any material submitted into the contest.  

 Refunds will not be issued by Song of the Year nor any of its affiliates that are involved with processing applicable monies. If credit card payments are mailed in, the charges on credit cards will appear as “Song of the Year”. Payments made online will appear from "Song of the Year". Song of the Year reserves the right to not accept submissions and payment for individuals and companies at it's own discretion. Only Visas and Mastercards are accepted if you are paying with a credit card.

  Rules and regulations and sponsorship prizes are subject to change at Song of the Year's discretion. Song of the Year reserves the right to make any final decision on the judging should there be any problematic or unforeseen issues that arise. Song of the Year reserves the right to add new (or change judges) throughout the year. Cash and prizes may be subject to local, state, and federal taxes. It is the songwriter's responsibility to make all tax payments relating to cash or prizes. Song of the Year will report all cash prizes distributed. Cash and prizes, contest rules, and entry to the contest are subject to all laws set forth. It is the contestant’s responsibility to investigate and abide under any and all state or local laws. Song of the Year reserves the right to 'not' accept payments for any reason. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.