1. The Songwriters Hall of Fame (“SHOF”) Songwriting Competition (“The Competition”) is open to all amateur and professional songwriters regardless of nationality or origin. Employees of SHOF, their families, subsidiaries and affiliates are not eligible. If a winning entrant is under 18 years old, the signature of a parent or guardian is required.

2. Each song submitted must be entrant’s original work, and must consist of both music and lyrics. Songs may not exceed five (5) minutes in length. Songs may have multiple co-writers, but please designate one name only as the entrant on the application. Entrants may submit as many songs in as many categories as he/she wishes, but each entry requires a separate MP3 file, entry form and entrance fee. The entrance fees are non-refundable. The Competition is not responsible for faulty file uploads accompanying online entries.

3. Entries will be screened by a listening committee who will select the finalists. Songs will be evaluated by a Blue Ribbon panel of industry professionals including legendary songwriters, producers and publishers. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, originality and lyrics. Lyrics must be in English, or an English translation must be provided at time of entry. Production value and quality of performance will not be considered. All prizes will be awarded to the entrant whose name appears on the entry form, and division of prizes among co-authors is the responsibility of winners. Entrant agrees to accept the final decision of The Competition and its judges. The winners release the SHOF and affiliate sponsors from all liability regarding prizes won. All federal, state, local or other tax liabilities, including but not limited to income taxes or like amounts in connection with a winner’s award will be the sole responsibility of each winner. Entrants and their collaborators will retain full rights to all work submitted for the competition. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. No transfer, substitution or cash equivalent for prizes is allowed, except at The Competition’s own discretion.  The Competition reserves the right to substitute a prize, in whole or in part, as described for any reason.

4. Entrant acknowledges that all songs entered may be distributed to judges who will be selecting the winners, and Entrant agrees to release, indemnify, and hold SHOF and The Competition, its sponsors, and judges harmless for liability, damages, or claims for injury or loss to any person or property relating to, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, participation in The Competition, including any intellectual property or copyright infringement claims.

5. Winners will be notified by email (with no other notification given) and must sign and return an affidavit of eligibility/recording rights/publicity release within 14 days of notification date. The affidavit will state that winner’s song is original work and he/she holds all rights to song. Failure to sign and return such affidavit within 14 days or provision of false/inaccurate information therein will result in immediate disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Affidavits for winners under 18 years of age at time of award must be countersigned by parent or legal guardian. Affidavits subject to verification by The Competition and its agents. Entry constitutes permission to use winner’s names, likenesses, biographical information, address (city and state) and voices for future advertising and publicity purposes in any and all media now or hereafter devised, worldwide and in perpetuity, without limitation and without additional compensation, notification or permission, except to the extent prohibited by law. All copyright, trademark or other intellectual property in such advertising shall be owned by The Competition or its licensors and winning participants hereby disclaim and waive any such rights to such advertising. 

6. The Competition does not give feedback or a critique to entrants.  CD’s, cassettes and/or lyrics will not be returned.

7. The Competition reserves the right to extend the entry deadline and increase or reduce entry fees for special promotions and/or entry deadline periods.

8. By entering The Competition, entrant, cowriters and/or their parents or legal guardian (if such entrant is a minor) agree to accept and be bound by the decisions of The Competition and its judges which are final and binding in all matters. Entrant and co-writers agrees to be bound by all terms of these official Competition Rules and Regulations as established herein.

9. Prizes: overall Grand Prize winner will be given the opportunity to enter into an exclusive Universal Music Publishing Group contract, an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE guitar, and two (non-transferrable) tickets to the next SHOF Annual Induction and Awards Gala where they will be recognized from the stage.  Four Second Place winners will receive an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE guitar, two tickets to the 2015 Annual Induction and Awards Gala (show only) and a one-hour creative and career mentoring session by a SHOF inductee. All prize winners will be featured in an article in the 2015 Gala Dinner Journal and on a page of the songhall.org website.

10. The Competition will use its best efforts to announce the prize winners at the designated time, but will not be held liable for any unforeseen delays.

11. BY ENTERING THE CONTEST YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS SET FORTH ABOVE.

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