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). 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.
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
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 31st, 2006 will not be accepted for the
December’s competition but will be entered into the January 2007 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 2007 cash and prizes may vary from the 2006 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".
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. 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. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and
local laws and regulations apply.
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