winner of song contest loses song rights? Is this normal?

[kanoharuayu]

Hi. There is a song contest I wanted to enter. I was reading the rules and it basically it says “your song is now ours. We may give you complimentary payments at our discretion”

The song would be played to millions of people and included on cds though, and winner would be credited as the producer and get 1k to shop at music store is it worth it?

It’s for a Japanese virtual idol called Miku if you guys are interested it’s https://mikuexpo.com/vr2023/contest_en.html

I almost think it would be better to enter and be selected as a runner up. That way you'd keep royalty rights and song rights but get included in cd sales lol or am I being too nitpicky here? What do you guys think? Is this normal for song contests? Am Iunderstanding the rules wrong?

[osiris]

'Complimentary royalty payment' is a key phrase. I see this quite often in remix contests where you didn't write the song, but I'd think twice before handing over the rights to an original composition.

[BertKoor]

This was very normal in my youth for all kinds of commercial competitions. Come up with a catchy slogan or whatever: send it in and it's theirs.

Advice: don't give away what you don't want to or can't afford to give away.

So what is ownership of one single song worth to you? It's in exchange for loads of publicity (only if you win) so it can open some doors and get you some handy networking contacts.

I almost think it would be better to enter and be selected as a runner up. That way you'd keep royalty rights and song rights but get included in cd sales lol

As I read it, every submission becomes their ownership. Even if they toss it in the bin directly. If you win nothing and publish it later yourself, you might get into trouble.

But: what if you don't send it in and do publish it yourself: can you create any media attention by yourself?

Side note: having browsed sonicwire.com where the 1st prize winner may go shopping, I don't see much I'd want from there even when given to me for free. But that's probably just me

Good luck!

[BertKoor]

Hi. There is a song contest I wanted to enter.

So... did you enter that contest?
Have you heard anything from the winner?

[whyterabbyt]

Hi. There is a song contest I wanted to enter.

So... did you enter that contest?
Have you heard anything from the winner?

more importantly, did he put a blanket on his mic?

[jancivil]

n/m

[revvy]

*crickets*