EUROVISION MEMORIES SONG CONTEST RULES
1. EUROVISION MEMORIES (em) in general
1.1. Editions of the contest are held regularly. The country which gets the highest amount of points wins the edition.
1.2. The player that wins an edition must choose the host city and slogan for the next edition. They may also participate on the logo design process and host the semi-final and final live shows.
1.3. When a player is caught cheating or breaking the contest rules, the player must pay a fine to the EM Funding, or that player is disqualified for at least 2 editions. If the same player cheats or breaks the rules again, that player may be permanently banned from the contest.
1.4. Countries may not trade votes. If it is found that countries are trading votes, all players involved may be disqualified.
1.5. Every player must respect the rules and agree to act with tolerance towards people of all backgrounds. Any player who is rude or abusive to any other player, or acts in a way that contravenes the values of this contest, will be banned. This includes abusing comments and posts on the EM Family Facebook group (from now designated as “EM Family”), as well as private messages and emails to any player.
1.6. All new players are required to prove their identity. A Facebook profile is required, as most of the announcements, news and shows are organized on Facebook and we want everyone to be part of the entire EM experience. If your profile does not have a picture, and administrator will request one prior to your admission to the contest.
1.7. The Eurovision Memories Song Contest is organized by the Eurovision Memories Fairness Committee (“FC”) as described in Chapter 5 of the current regulation. The Fairness Committee is established by the internal regulation adopted as of July 2020. All the rules and proceedings will be clearly specified and described in the internal regulation.
1.2. The player that wins an edition must choose the host city and slogan for the next edition. They may also participate on the logo design process and host the semi-final and final live shows.
1.3. When a player is caught cheating or breaking the contest rules, the player must pay a fine to the EM Funding, or that player is disqualified for at least 2 editions. If the same player cheats or breaks the rules again, that player may be permanently banned from the contest.
1.4. Countries may not trade votes. If it is found that countries are trading votes, all players involved may be disqualified.
1.5. Every player must respect the rules and agree to act with tolerance towards people of all backgrounds. Any player who is rude or abusive to any other player, or acts in a way that contravenes the values of this contest, will be banned. This includes abusing comments and posts on the EM Family Facebook group (from now designated as “EM Family”), as well as private messages and emails to any player.
1.6. All new players are required to prove their identity. A Facebook profile is required, as most of the announcements, news and shows are organized on Facebook and we want everyone to be part of the entire EM experience. If your profile does not have a picture, and administrator will request one prior to your admission to the contest.
1.7. The Eurovision Memories Song Contest is organized by the Eurovision Memories Fairness Committee (“FC”) as described in Chapter 5 of the current regulation. The Fairness Committee is established by the internal regulation adopted as of July 2020. All the rules and proceedings will be clearly specified and described in the internal regulation.
2. COUNTRIES
2.1. You can only use a country which has a FREE status. You can find FREE countries on the Countries page on this website.
2.2. You can only participate with one country.
2.3. A player may propose new countries to the FC. The FC will then decide if that country will be added to the competition.
2.4. You can change your country between competitions, but Eurovision Memories recommends sticking with the same country for the best experience. When you choose a new country, you must stay with it for at least 3 editions.
2.5. If you reach a top 3 position in an edition, you can't change the country you’re representing for the next edition. If, for some reason, a country from the top 3 can’t participate on the next edition, the 4th (or 5th, 6th, etc.) placed country replaces that country, and will directly qualify for the final.
2.6. When a player decides to change country or leave the contest, they can decide to pass the country to another specific player. Otherwise, priority will be given to players that are from that country. The country will be available for anyone to submit for if there are no players from that country.
2.2. You can only participate with one country.
2.3. A player may propose new countries to the FC. The FC will then decide if that country will be added to the competition.
2.4. You can change your country between competitions, but Eurovision Memories recommends sticking with the same country for the best experience. When you choose a new country, you must stay with it for at least 3 editions.
2.5. If you reach a top 3 position in an edition, you can't change the country you’re representing for the next edition. If, for some reason, a country from the top 3 can’t participate on the next edition, the 4th (or 5th, 6th, etc.) placed country replaces that country, and will directly qualify for the final.
2.6. When a player decides to change country or leave the contest, they can decide to pass the country to another specific player. Otherwise, priority will be given to players that are from that country. The country will be available for anyone to submit for if there are no players from that country.
3. THE ARTISTS
3.1. An artist may represent a country that they were born in or have citizenship in. The FC also may choose to allow an artist with a strong connection to a country (family connection, long-time resident, etc…) on an individual basis.
3.2. In case of a group or duo, the song must represent the country from which the majority of the singing members are eligible. If there is no such majority, all countries involved can be represented by that group.
3.3. When it comes to multiple artists/groups together, the nationalities of the people that sing are the ones to count. An example: Armin van Buuren & Sophie Ellis-Bextor - "Not Giving Up On Love" has a Dutch DJ and a British singer. As only Sophie sings, only the UK can use this song in EM.
3.4. Neighbour Rule: Some countries can borrow singers/groups from neighbouring countries. You can see the borrowing options on the Countries page.
3.5. Artists that have passed away can still take part in the contest.
3.6. If two or more countries have the right to use an artist/group, only the first received application will be accepted. Contact between the players is highly recommended to avoid confusion.
3.7. Artists with double citizenship can represent both countries.
3.8. Artists are only permitted to appear in EM contests once every 5 editions. If your country (or a country borrowing from yours) has sent an artist, that singer/group is barred from entering for 5 editions. Remember to check your country AND others that the artist could possibly represent.
3.9. Players must be sure about the artist they're sending, as only the first valid submission counts. Contact the FC with any doubts/questions.
3.10. No more than twice a season, a “New Artists Edition” is organized to promote new names and diversity of singers participating in EM. Only artists that never participated before in regular EM editions are allowed in this edition.
3.2. In case of a group or duo, the song must represent the country from which the majority of the singing members are eligible. If there is no such majority, all countries involved can be represented by that group.
3.3. When it comes to multiple artists/groups together, the nationalities of the people that sing are the ones to count. An example: Armin van Buuren & Sophie Ellis-Bextor - "Not Giving Up On Love" has a Dutch DJ and a British singer. As only Sophie sings, only the UK can use this song in EM.
3.4. Neighbour Rule: Some countries can borrow singers/groups from neighbouring countries. You can see the borrowing options on the Countries page.
3.5. Artists that have passed away can still take part in the contest.
3.6. If two or more countries have the right to use an artist/group, only the first received application will be accepted. Contact between the players is highly recommended to avoid confusion.
3.7. Artists with double citizenship can represent both countries.
3.8. Artists are only permitted to appear in EM contests once every 5 editions. If your country (or a country borrowing from yours) has sent an artist, that singer/group is barred from entering for 5 editions. Remember to check your country AND others that the artist could possibly represent.
3.9. Players must be sure about the artist they're sending, as only the first valid submission counts. Contact the FC with any doubts/questions.
3.10. No more than twice a season, a “New Artists Edition” is organized to promote new names and diversity of singers participating in EM. Only artists that never participated before in regular EM editions are allowed in this edition.
4. SONGS / EM NATIONAL FINAL
4.1. All songs must contain lyrics/vocals/words. These can be sung or spoken. Entirely instrumental songs are not allowed.
4.2. The songs can be sung in any language, included constructed and artificial languages.
4.3. Songs may not be longer than 5:30 minutes and not shorter than 2 minutes. These time limits apply to the song itself, not to the videoclip.
4.4. The songs need to be submitted with a valid YouTube URL link. If, for some reason, the link isn’t available in some countries, an alternative link will be acquired.
4.5. All players are required to send their entries through the submission form on the website. In extraordinary situations, the FC may accept submissions via email or Facebook PM.
4.6. Official Eurovision Network contests’ songs (such as songs from ESC, JESC, etc.) are not allowed.
4.7. Covers are only allowed if the covered song comes from the same country. Covers of official Eurovision Network contests’ songs are not allowed.
4.8. The FC retains the right to ask any participant to change their video or song if they are offensive to other players. This includes lyrics or videoclips containing violence, drug use, sexual imagery, nudity, racism, sexism, homophobia, or against attacks any person or group based on their physical appearance or religious disposition.
4.9. Hit Prevention Rule: Songs that have been on the top 5 of 5 different European charts from EM participating countries cannot take part on EM. The FC may also take into account the number of Youtube views in determining whether a song is a hit. New songs, especially from big music stars, must wait a month after they are released to the public before potential submission.
4.10. Players must be sure about the song they're sending, as only the first valid submission counts. Contact the FC with any doubts/questions.
4.11. A country may organize National Finals for its EM submission. If a country chooses to do this, the winners and result lists must be publicly presented only after all the entries are published on the EM website, and detailed results can be publicly presented only after the edition ends. If the winner or the results are revealed early, the winning song may be disqualified for that edition.
4.12. Approximately every 10 editions a National Language Edition is organised. Every country is obliged to send a song in one of its official national languages or regional languages. English is forbidden in this edition.
4.2. The songs can be sung in any language, included constructed and artificial languages.
4.3. Songs may not be longer than 5:30 minutes and not shorter than 2 minutes. These time limits apply to the song itself, not to the videoclip.
4.4. The songs need to be submitted with a valid YouTube URL link. If, for some reason, the link isn’t available in some countries, an alternative link will be acquired.
4.5. All players are required to send their entries through the submission form on the website. In extraordinary situations, the FC may accept submissions via email or Facebook PM.
4.6. Official Eurovision Network contests’ songs (such as songs from ESC, JESC, etc.) are not allowed.
4.7. Covers are only allowed if the covered song comes from the same country. Covers of official Eurovision Network contests’ songs are not allowed.
4.8. The FC retains the right to ask any participant to change their video or song if they are offensive to other players. This includes lyrics or videoclips containing violence, drug use, sexual imagery, nudity, racism, sexism, homophobia, or against attacks any person or group based on their physical appearance or religious disposition.
4.9. Hit Prevention Rule: Songs that have been on the top 5 of 5 different European charts from EM participating countries cannot take part on EM. The FC may also take into account the number of Youtube views in determining whether a song is a hit. New songs, especially from big music stars, must wait a month after they are released to the public before potential submission.
4.10. Players must be sure about the song they're sending, as only the first valid submission counts. Contact the FC with any doubts/questions.
4.11. A country may organize National Finals for its EM submission. If a country chooses to do this, the winners and result lists must be publicly presented only after all the entries are published on the EM website, and detailed results can be publicly presented only after the edition ends. If the winner or the results are revealed early, the winning song may be disqualified for that edition.
4.12. Approximately every 10 editions a National Language Edition is organised. Every country is obliged to send a song in one of its official national languages or regional languages. English is forbidden in this edition.
5. THE FAIRNESS COMMITTEE (FC)
5.1. The FC is the body that organizes, takes care of, regulates, and looks after fairness in the contest.
5.2. The FC keeps the EM website and EM Family updated, including results, editions pages, statistics, announcements, and other necessary information for the players.
5.3. The FC checks all the details regarding the submitted artists and songs for compliance with the EM rules.
5.4. The FC controls the votes received for each EM Contest, for both semi-finals and finals.
5.5. The FC retains the right to refuse any entry that goes against the rules.
5.6. The FC also retains the right to disqualify a country for breaking the rules.
5.7. For a new rule to be added, it must have support from at least two thirds of all FC members.
5.8. A new FC member, when one is needed, may be chosen through an internal selection organized by all current FC members. All active players participating in EM can apply for this position, which will be advertised every year on the website (vacancies page) and also on the Facebook group.
5.9. All FC members must respect the rules and do their duties for the contest to run smoothly. Not doing so can lead to expulsion from the FC.
5.10. If a FC member follows any personal interest on approving an entry that doesn’t follow the rules, that member may be permanently banned from the FC and EM.
5.11. Any FC member can leave his position by notifying the FC.
5.2. The FC keeps the EM website and EM Family updated, including results, editions pages, statistics, announcements, and other necessary information for the players.
5.3. The FC checks all the details regarding the submitted artists and songs for compliance with the EM rules.
5.4. The FC controls the votes received for each EM Contest, for both semi-finals and finals.
5.5. The FC retains the right to refuse any entry that goes against the rules.
5.6. The FC also retains the right to disqualify a country for breaking the rules.
5.7. For a new rule to be added, it must have support from at least two thirds of all FC members.
5.8. A new FC member, when one is needed, may be chosen through an internal selection organized by all current FC members. All active players participating in EM can apply for this position, which will be advertised every year on the website (vacancies page) and also on the Facebook group.
5.9. All FC members must respect the rules and do their duties for the contest to run smoothly. Not doing so can lead to expulsion from the FC.
5.10. If a FC member follows any personal interest on approving an entry that doesn’t follow the rules, that member may be permanently banned from the FC and EM.
5.11. Any FC member can leave his position by notifying the FC.
6. VOTING SYSTEM ON EM
6.1. The voting system is similar to the official Eurovision Song Contest system (from lowest to highest score, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10-12 points).
6.2. Votes must be sent by using the Voting Form page. If this is unavailable for any reason, the FC will ask players to send votes via email to [email protected] or by Facebook PM to one of the FC members.
6.3. When using the Voting Form, all players must check their inbox to look for the confirmation email with a copy of their votes. If the email isn’t received within 10 minutes, the FC must be contacted as soon as possible.
6.4. Everyone needs to vote. A country that fails to vote in the semifinals can be disqualified. That country still must vote in the finals. If they don't vote in the final, that player can be disqualified from the competition for an additional edition.
6.4.1. An exemption from rule 6.4 can be applied if the player who did not manage to vote on time will pay a fee for voting late. After paying the fee established by the Fairness Committee, the player is allowed to re-enter the competition with the votes being processed later.
6.4.2. Fees established annually by the Fairness Committee are divided into four categories: Fee for not voting in the Semifinals; Fee for not voting in the Grand Final; Fee for cheating; Fee for sending votes after deadline passes - Only applied if votes were sent after within 5 hours after the deadline.
6.4.3. The collected fees are considered donations that will be solely used in the benefit of the contest. All financial transaction are being published/updated on the official webpage here.
6.5. Always try to vote on time, according to the dates on the Calendar page. If you cannot vote on time, please warn the FC as soon as possible to determine the appropriate steps or take the responsibility to pay the donation fee requested by the Fairness Committee.
6.6. Random or artificial votes won’t be accepted. If illegal voting is noticed after a voting analysis, those votes won’t be accepted and the player will be disqualified.
6.7. EM will attempt to name a single winner. If an edition ends in a tied number of votes, EM will count the number of 12's, 10's, etc, until the results are untied. If there is still a tie, a re-vote will be held between the tied countries and the country with the most votes will be named the winner.
6.8. Cast votes, whether your own or someone else's, cannot be revealed before the final show. Anyone who reveals cast votes in advance will be disqualified from the competition for that edition.
6.2. Votes must be sent by using the Voting Form page. If this is unavailable for any reason, the FC will ask players to send votes via email to [email protected] or by Facebook PM to one of the FC members.
6.3. When using the Voting Form, all players must check their inbox to look for the confirmation email with a copy of their votes. If the email isn’t received within 10 minutes, the FC must be contacted as soon as possible.
6.4. Everyone needs to vote. A country that fails to vote in the semifinals can be disqualified. That country still must vote in the finals. If they don't vote in the final, that player can be disqualified from the competition for an additional edition.
6.4.1. An exemption from rule 6.4 can be applied if the player who did not manage to vote on time will pay a fee for voting late. After paying the fee established by the Fairness Committee, the player is allowed to re-enter the competition with the votes being processed later.
6.4.2. Fees established annually by the Fairness Committee are divided into four categories: Fee for not voting in the Semifinals; Fee for not voting in the Grand Final; Fee for cheating; Fee for sending votes after deadline passes - Only applied if votes were sent after within 5 hours after the deadline.
6.4.3. The collected fees are considered donations that will be solely used in the benefit of the contest. All financial transaction are being published/updated on the official webpage here.
6.5. Always try to vote on time, according to the dates on the Calendar page. If you cannot vote on time, please warn the FC as soon as possible to determine the appropriate steps or take the responsibility to pay the donation fee requested by the Fairness Committee.
6.6. Random or artificial votes won’t be accepted. If illegal voting is noticed after a voting analysis, those votes won’t be accepted and the player will be disqualified.
6.7. EM will attempt to name a single winner. If an edition ends in a tied number of votes, EM will count the number of 12's, 10's, etc, until the results are untied. If there is still a tie, a re-vote will be held between the tied countries and the country with the most votes will be named the winner.
6.8. Cast votes, whether your own or someone else's, cannot be revealed before the final show. Anyone who reveals cast votes in advance will be disqualified from the competition for that edition.
7. THE SEMI-FINALS
7.1. If you didn't reach a top 3 placing on the last edition, you will participate in a semi-final according to the draw.
7.2. To determine the song order, we will use random.org or video draw.
7.3. You can only vote on your own semi-final.
7.4. The 10 most-voted countries go directly to the final. An 11th qualifying country is chosen by another method (the People's Choice Qualifier) described in Rule 8, below.
7.2. To determine the song order, we will use random.org or video draw.
7.3. You can only vote on your own semi-final.
7.4. The 10 most-voted countries go directly to the final. An 11th qualifying country is chosen by another method (the People's Choice Qualifier) described in Rule 8, below.
8. THE “PEOPLE’S CHOICE QUALIFIER” SELECTION
8.1. The People’s Choice Qualifier (from now on designated as “PCQ”) selection is used to pick the 11th finalist from each semi-final.
8.2. After the regular 10 qualifiers, the country which received points from the most countries will qualify for the Grand Final, no matter how many points it has received. However, when there’s a tie for 10th and 11th place in points, both countries qualify to the final and there is no PCQ.
8.3. If there is a tie situation, all ‘1 points’ will be ignored and the country with more top 9 positions will qualify in the Grand Final. If necessary, we'll continue for the '2 points', '3 points', and so on.
8.4. If at the end of this process there’s still a tie between songs, all of them qualify as PCQ to the final.
8.2. After the regular 10 qualifiers, the country which received points from the most countries will qualify for the Grand Final, no matter how many points it has received. However, when there’s a tie for 10th and 11th place in points, both countries qualify to the final and there is no PCQ.
8.3. If there is a tie situation, all ‘1 points’ will be ignored and the country with more top 9 positions will qualify in the Grand Final. If necessary, we'll continue for the '2 points', '3 points', and so on.
8.4. If at the end of this process there’s still a tie between songs, all of them qualify as PCQ to the final.
9. THE EM FAMILY FACEBOOK GROUP
9.1. Every EM player has the right to join the EM Family Facebook group.
9.2. English is the only language allowed for communication on the EM Family.
9.3. All players must respect the others members and always use moral language in the group.
9.4. You are not allowed to promote events, news, or other things unrelated to EM or Eurovision Network contests (such as ESC, JESC, etc…) on the EM Family Facebook group. For special cases, ask for FC permission.
9.2. English is the only language allowed for communication on the EM Family.
9.3. All players must respect the others members and always use moral language in the group.
9.4. You are not allowed to promote events, news, or other things unrelated to EM or Eurovision Network contests (such as ESC, JESC, etc…) on the EM Family Facebook group. For special cases, ask for FC permission.
10. EM SPECIAL EDITIONS
10.1. Besides regular editions, EM organizes special editions (from now on designated as “SE”).
10.2. All special editions are organized and planned by the FC.
10.3. A SE is different from regular EM editions, having a theme that all entries must follow.
10.4. Rules applied to normal editions can change for SEs. These rules changes are always made public in each SE announcement.
10.5. The theme is generally chosen by the FC through a voting process, where every FC member can propose 1 theme and the host of the upcoming SE can propose 3 themes.
10.6. There is no regular schedule for SEs. However, a holiday edition generally takes place every November/December.
10.7. When an SE has semifinals and a final, the previous SE winner is the only one that directly qualifies to the final, unless an SE announcement specifies otherwise.
10.8. You don’t need to participate on a SE with your country from regular EM editions. You can choose any free country available for the next SF (always ask the FC first about available countries).
10.9. Song and voting submissions are done through email to [email protected].
10.2. All special editions are organized and planned by the FC.
10.3. A SE is different from regular EM editions, having a theme that all entries must follow.
10.4. Rules applied to normal editions can change for SEs. These rules changes are always made public in each SE announcement.
10.5. The theme is generally chosen by the FC through a voting process, where every FC member can propose 1 theme and the host of the upcoming SE can propose 3 themes.
10.6. There is no regular schedule for SEs. However, a holiday edition generally takes place every November/December.
10.7. When an SE has semifinals and a final, the previous SE winner is the only one that directly qualifies to the final, unless an SE announcement specifies otherwise.
10.8. You don’t need to participate on a SE with your country from regular EM editions. You can choose any free country available for the next SF (always ask the FC first about available countries).
10.9. Song and voting submissions are done through email to [email protected].
One step closer...
Now that you're sure you won't break any rules with your amazing song, you just have to check when can really start participating. In the case that an edition has already started, you'll be only able to participate in the next one. But don't worry, you will have your place there!
