All entries submitted must be original songs and shall not infringe any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties. Songs may have multiple co-writers, but only one name should be designated as the Entrant on the entry form. All songwriters must be listed on the entry form in the field requesting the names of the songwriters. Please list the full name of the songwriter(s) - do not use initials. Entrant shall, by entering, indemnify and hold ISC harmless from and against any claims inconsistent with the foregoing.

ISC is open to all amateur and professional songwriters and anyone regardless of nationality or origin. Employees of ISC, its families, subsidiaries and affiliates are not eligible. If entrant is under 18 years old, the signature of a parent or guardian is required.

Entrant may submit as many songs as desired in each category. Entrant may also enter the same song in more than one category. For mail-in entries, it is preferred that entrant put all entries on one CD or tape, and it is required that the song(s) for submission and name of entrant be clearly marked on the CD, tape, or video. It is entrant's responsibility to ensure that the submitted song(s) are complete and playable. All entry fees are non-refundable. ISC does not give feedback or a critique to entrants.

Entry materials (CDs, tapes, and videos) submitted will not be returned to the entrant. ISC is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, postage due, stolen, incomplete, or misappropriated entries.

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

Entries will be screened by an ISC listening committee who will select the finalists, and the finalists will be sent to the judges who will select the winners. The judging committee consists of high-profile music industry professionals including record label executives and artists. Songs are judged equally on melody, composition, originality, and lyrics (when applicable). Some categories may have additional or alternative criteria. Lyrics may be in any language. Production value and quality of performance will not be considered (except in the Performance category). All prizes will be awarded to the first name as it 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 ISC and its judges.

Eligibilty for the Unsigned category: Any song entered into the Unsigned category must also be entered into at least one other category. Entrants in this category cannot be signed to or have any affiliation with a major label record company (including Sony BMG, EMI Group, Universal Music Group, or Warner Music Group, etc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or imprints) or have distribution through a major label or its affiliates. Entrants who are on independent labels, their own label, or no label are eligible to enter. These eligibility requirements apply only to the Unsigned category. Entries in this category will be eligible for the Grand Prize.

ISC semi-finalists and finalists will be announced in February or March, 2025, and winners in April or May, 2025 or as soon as the judges have completed the judging process. ISC will post all results on its website and will notify entrants by email that results are posted. Entrant is responsible for providing up-to-date and correct email addresses to ISC. ISC is not responsible for entrant's non-receipt of any ISC emails for any reason, including but not limited to, server or email malfunctions, including email deliverability. Entrants should check their junk mailboxes if they do not receive the results.

All ISC Finalists will be included in public voting via our website to determine the People's Voice Winner. Any attempts to submit false 'bot' votes via fake emails in order to manipulate the numbers will result in the automatic disqualification of that finalist from winning the People's Voice Award. 

ISC will use its best efforts to announce the winners at the designated time, but will not be held liable for any unforeseen delays. Winners will be notified by email or phone. Winners may be required to sign an affidavit confirming that winner's song is original and he/she holds rights to the song. Failure to sign and return the form within the required time period or provision of false information may result in disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected. Affidavits are subject to verification by ISC and its agents. Entry constitutes permission to use winner's name, likeness, and voice for future advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation.

ISC accepts online or mail-in entries.

ONLINE ENTRIES

Entering online is very easy, and it only takes minutes. To enter online, please click here. When you enter online, you can either upload your song(s) as mp3s or you can give us a link to any website where your songs are online, and ISC will listen to them online. Please note: ISC downloads all entries using a software program, so it may not show up as having been played.

MAIL-IN ENTRIES

1. Completed entry form (photocopy is acceptable) with original signature.
2. Song on CD or tape. If you are submitting multiple songs or one song in multiple categories, please put them all on one CD or tape, if possible. If entering a CD, submit the entry in a regular-sized CD case (not an ultra-thin case) and label the spine with entrant's name in black marker. Also, be certain that the entrant's name is marked directly on the CD, CDR, or tape. If entering a tape, label the spine of the case with entrant's name. Please include a track listing of the songs in the correct order.
3. Two copies of the lyrics for each mail-in entry (please include English translation, if applicable, and type or print legibly). Please include your email address on the lyric sheets. Do not send sheet music with your entry.
4. If you are entering the Lyrics Only category, it is not necessary to submit music, and you do not need to specify a category or kind of music. You only need to submit the lyrics typed or written legibly.

ENTRY FEES 

1. The price per entry varies over the course of the competition cycle (please check below for the current price point). For example, if the current fee is $25 and you enter one song in two categories, the fee is $50. If you enter two songs in one category the fee is $50. If you enter one song in three categories, the fee is $75. As you can see, each time you add a song or category, you will be charged an additional entry fee.
2. Checks and money orders should be made payable to: International Songwriting Competition
3. Payment from countries outside the US must be in the form of a bank check, money order, cash, or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted from outside the U.S. If you want to make a bank transfer or pay with Western Union, please email info@songwritingcompetition.com for instructions.

Deadlines and Entry Fees:

Early Bird: July 3, 2024 – $25

Categories include: AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Americana, Blues, Children's Music, Christian, Comedy/Novelty, Country, EDM (Electronic Dance Music), Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Hip-Hop/Rap, Instrumental, Jazz, Latin, Lyrics Only, Music Video, Performance*, Pop/Top 40, R&B/Soul, Rock, Teen**, World, Unpublished***, and Unsigned****.

* The Performance category is judged not only on the songwriting but also on the overall delivery/performance of the song. All genres of music are accepted in this category.

** All songwriters entering the Teen category must be 18 years old or younger by December 31, 2024. All genres of music are accepted in this category. Entering this category will not exclude you from entering other categories as well.

*** The Unpublished category is open to all genres of music. The song entered cannot be owned in any part by a music publishing company (entrant must own 100% of the publishing rights to the song). Any song entered into the Unpublished category must also be entered into at least one other category (this does not include the Unsigned category). 

**** The Unsigned category is open to all genres of music. Entrants cannot be signed to a major label record company or have distribution through a major label or its affiliates. Any song entered into the Unsigned category must also be entered into at least one other category (this does not include the Unpublished category). See below (#8) for more detailed information.

***** If you want to enter both the Unpublished and Unsigned categories, you are required to enter a total of four entries at the current entry fee. For example, Unpublished, Unsigned, Rock, Music Video.

Mail entries to:  
International Songwriting Competition
3940 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, TN 37216 USA

There will be no transfer and substitution of prizes except as necessary due to availability in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. If it is necessary to substitute a prize, ISC reserves the right to give the winner a cash substitute determined by the wholesale value of the prize. All winners agree to release ISC and sponsors from all liability regarding prizes won. All federal, state, and local taxes, and customs fees, when applicable, are the sole responsibility of winner. ISC will not pay any winners' taxes or custom's fees. Prizes will be sent out within a reasonable amount of time, and ISC will use its best efforts to send prizes out in a timely fashion. Prizes which are being sent to winners from Sponsors may take longer than prizes sent directly from ISC. If after 180 days any winner has not received any portion of prizes, it is winner's responsibility to notify ISC in writing within 30 days, and by certified mail, as to which prizes are outstanding. If winner fails to notify ISC, ISC will no longer be responsible for delivery of prizes.

ISC prohibits any song or lyrics written partially or in full by ChatGPT or any other AI-generated content. If ISC identifies any abuse or violation of this policy, the song will be immediately disqualified and removed from the competiton, and no refund will be given to the Entrant.

Entrant retains all ownership rights to all submitted song(s). ISC will not have any ownership rights to any song(s) submitted.

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 ISC, 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 ISC.

By entering ISC, entrant and/or their parents or legal guardian (if such entrant is a minor) agree to accept and be bound by the decisions of ISC and its judges which are final and binding in all matters.

By entering ISC, Entrant agrees to be bound by all terms of these official ISC Rules And Regulations as established herein.