Karaoke Sing Thing Contest
Official Rules
NO PURCHASE OF ANY KIND WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. INTERNET ACCESS AND A VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER.
1. Eligibility: Only legal residents of the State of Minnesota, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry are eligible to enter the Karaoke Sing Thing Contest (“Contest”). Void where prohibited and subject to all applicable laws and regulations. Administrator and Sponsor(s) (as defined below) and their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliate entities and their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether or not related) of each, are not eligible to enter or win. Facebook and each of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win. Contestants must fulfill all requirements set forth in the Official Rules and abide by all decisions of the Sponsor(s) and/or Administrator in order to be eligible for a prize.
2. How to Enter:
WEBSITE ENTRY: Eligible individuals (“Contestant(s)”) may enter the Contest by visiting http://www.karaokesingthing.org (the “Website”) and following the links and instructions for the Contest. By completing the entry form in accordance with the instructions on the Website, you represent that you have complied with the submission guidelines and content restrictions as specified on the Website. Entries are limited to one per person and one per email address. All entries will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder for the submitted email address. Submitting mass entries, mass fan votes or fan votes generated by a script, macro or use of automated devices is prohibited and may result in disqualification. All entry materials become the exclusive property of Sponsor(s) and/or Administrator and none will be acknowledged or returned.
MAIL-IN ENTRY: Contestants may enter the Contest by visiting www.karaokesingthing.com and following the links and instructions for the Contest or mailing an entry form and Submission (as defined below) with his/her full name, address, city, state, zip code, email and phone number to Karaoke Sing Thing Contest, 8523 South Pond Trail, Champlin, Minnesota, 55316. Mail-in entries will have the same chances of winning as website entries. False or deceptive entries or acts, as determined by Administrator and/or Sponsor(s), will render a Contestant ineligible. Administrator and/or Sponsor(s) assume no responsibility for lost, late or misdirected entries or for human error or technical malfunctions that may occur. Entries are limited to one per person and one per email address. Any attempts by the same individual to submit multiple entries will be disqualified.
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS:In connection with entering, Contestants and their fans are invited to pledge to the Special Olympics Minnesota. Contestants are not required to secure pledge dollars in order to win. Pledging is encouraged. Seventy-five percent (75%) of all pledge dollars will go directly to Special Olympics Minnesota. The remaining Twenty-five percent (25%) of the pledge dollars will be used to cover event overhead.
Contest Submission: Eligible individuals must submit a video which contains Contestant singing a song (the “Submission”) that meets the following requirements: (i) the Submission must be an original work created solely by the Contestant; (ii) the Submission must be a maximum of 90 seconds in length; (iii) the Submission must be uploaded to the Karaoke Sing Thing website, uploaded to the Karaoke Sing Thing You Tube Channel, or Contestant can mail a jump drive or DVD containing their performance to Karaoke Sing Thing Contest, 8523 South Pond Trail, Champlin, Minnesota, 55316; (iv) the Submission must not violate any copyright, trademark or other intellectual property laws or rights of any third party and must be accompanied by a talent or other appropriate release from anyone appearing in the Submission besides Contestant; (v) Music must be licensed Karaoke music downloaded from the licensed Karaoke Sing Thing library at www.karaokesingthing.com; (vi) aside from the rights associated with the downloaded music and the underlying publishing rights, the Contestant must own all other rights to the Submission, including but not limited to performance rights, other copyrights, trademark and publicity rights; (vii) the Submission must accompany a properly completed entry or registration form and must include Contestants full name as part of the entry title; (viii) Submissions must be free from commercial endorsements and tie-ins, must not include violence, obscenities and any other material deemed inappropriate in Sponsor’(s) sole discretion, and must be suitable for a family audience; and (ix) all Submissions must include a printed copy of lyrics to all songs submitted and all songs to be performed by the Contestant. Only songs for which lyrics have been submitted in writing, and which otherwise comply with these Contest Rules, may be performed at the Contest. Any Contestant who performs a song for which lyrics have not been submitted is subject to immediate disqualification. All Submissions become the exclusive property of Administrator and Sponsor(s), and none will be acknowledged or returned. Only those entries and Submissions meeting all the requirements will be eligible for judging. All costs of materials, creation and entry of the Submission are the responsibility of the Contestant.
No Responsibility for Third-Party Materials or Websites.
Certain content, products, and services available via the Karaoke Sing Thing Website may include materials from third parties. In addition, the Website may include links to certain third party websites. You acknowledge and agree that Sponsor(s) and Administrator are not responsible for examining or evaluating the content or accuracy of any such third-party material or websites. Sponsor(s) and Administrator do not warrant or endorse and do not assume liability and will not have any liability or responsibility for any third-party materials or websites, or for any other materials, products, or services of third parties. Links to third-party websites are provided solely as a convenience to Contestants.
Phase 1: Karaoke Sing Thing “Sing Off”:
Submissions will be judged by a qualified panel of judges, including music industry professionals and qualified celebrity judges (the “Judge(s)”). A total of 60 Semi-finalists will qualify to compete at the Karaoke Sing Thing “Sing Off” at Mall of America® on June 8, 2013; 40 Semi-finalists will be selected by the Judges and 20 Semi-finalists will qualify by raising the most pledge dollars for Special Olympics Minnesota as outlined below.
A total of 40 Semi-finalists will qualify by receiving the highest Judge scores based upon the following criteria:
1. Vocal Performance – Voice quality (sound quality of the voice), vocal expression (how well performer expresses the meaning and mood of the song), and rhythm/tempo (voice in relation to the music) (0-20 points).
2. Stage Presence – The physical expression of the song in terms of the overall visual presentation of the performance on stage (0-20 points).
3. Entertainment Value – The judges’ reaction to the overall performance (0-10 points).
In addition, 20 “Pledge Semi-finalists” will qualify based on those Contestants who raise the most pledge dollars for Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN) and comply with all Contest Submission requirements. Pledge dollars must be submitted and qualified on or before May 13, 2013 based upon the instructions on the Website in order to be valid and count toward the total needed to qualify as one of the 20 Pledge Semi-finalists. Pledging is encouraged to continue after May 13, 2013 but after May 13, 2013 pledge dollars will not count toward a Contestant becoming a Pledge Semi-finalist.
All 60 Semi-finalists will qualify in one of two (2) general music classifications: 30 Semi-finalists will qualify in the Country Music classification and 30 Semi-finalists will qualify in the Rock Music classification. Each Semi-finalist will only qualify for one music classification. In the event that a Semi-finalist may be suitable for classification in both the Rock and Country Music categories, the Judges will determine the placement of the Contestant. Each potential Semi-finalist will be notified by email, mail or phone by May 15, 2013 that they have qualified to perform at the Mall of America “Sing Off” event on June 8, 2012. If notification is returned as undeliverable or Sponsor(s) is otherwise unable to locate the potential Semi-finalist within 5 days of the first date of attempted notification, the potential Semi-finalist may be disqualified and a new potential Semi-finalist may be selected.
Phase 2: Semi-Finals at Mall of America:
All 60 Semi-finalists (30 Semi-finalists from Country Music and 30 Semi-finalists from Rock Music) will compete at the Karaoke Sing Thing “Sing Off” Semi-finals at Mall of America on Saturday, June 8, 2013 beginning at approximately 10:00AM to become one of the 12 Finalists (6 Finalists from Country Music and 6 Finalists from Rock Music). At the beginning of the Karaoke Sing Thing “Sing Off” Semi-finals all scores from Judges will be reset to zero. Each Semi-finalist will be judged based on the criteria listed below.
Judging for the Semi-final rounds will be determined based on 60% Judges’ scores and 40% Audience vote as follows:
Judges’ scores: 60% broken down as follows:
1. Vocal Performance – Voice quality (sound quality of the voice), vocal expression (how well performer expresses the meaning and mood of the song), and rhythm/tempo (voice in relation to the music) (0-20 points).
2. Stage Presence – The physical expression of the song in terms of the overall visual presentation of the performance on stage (0-20 points).
3. Entertainment Value – The Judges’ reaction to the overall performance (0-10 points).
Audience score: 40% broken down as follows:
During the Semi-final period the audience will be able to cast their vote for their favorite performer by texting to the text voting number. Audience should base its vote on overall entertainment value. The performers with the highest number of audience votes will receive the number of points outlined below, which will be added to the Judges’ scores. The fan vote points will be broken down as follows:
Country Music classification:
• 50 points for Semi-finalist that received the highest number of votes
• 48 points for Semi-finalist that received the second highest number of votes
• 46 points for Semi-finalist that received the third highest number of votes
• 44 points for Semi-finalist that received the fourth highest number of votes
• 42 points for Semi-finalist that received the fifth highest number of votes
• 41 points for Semi-finalist that received the sixth highest number of votes
Rock Music classification:
• 50 points for Semi-finalist that received the highest number of votes for the
• 48 points for Semi-finalist that received the second highest number of votes
• 46 points for Semi-finalist that received the third highest number of votes
• 44 points for Semi-finalist that received the fourth highest number of votes
• 42 points for Semi-finalist that received the fifth highest number of votes
• 41 points for Semi-finalist that received the sixth highest number of votes
The top 12 scoring Semi-finalists (6 from Country Music and 6 from Rock Music) will be selected as Finalists and will be notified at Mall of America on the day of the “Sing Off”. Decisions of Sponsor(s) and the Judges will be final and binding on all matters.
Phase 3: Championship at Mall of America:
12 Finalists (6 Finalists from Country Music and 6 Finalists from Rock Music) will compete in the Championship Karaoke Sing Thing “Sing Off at 7:00 pm at the MOA Rotunda to qualify to be one of 6 potential Prize winners (3 potential winners from Country Music and 3 potential winners from Rock Music). Following the Karaoke Sing Thing “Sing Off” Semi-final results, all Finalists’ scores will be reset to zero.
Judging for the Championship will be the same in all respects as judging for the Semi-final round except that the Judge’s score will account for 20% and the audience score will account for 80%.
Audience score:
During the Championship round the audience voting points will be broken down as follows:
Country Music classification:
• 50 points for Semi-finalist that received the highest number of votes for the
• 48 points for Semi-finalist that received the second highest number of votes
• 46 points for Semi-finalist that received the third highest number of votes
Rock Music classification:
• 50 points for Semi-finalist that received the highest number of votes for the
• 48 points for Semi-finalist that received the second highest number of votes
• 46 points for Semi-finalist that received the third highest number of votes
The top 6 scoring Finalists (3 from Country Music and 3 from Rock Music) will be selected as potential winners and will be notified at the Mall of America at the end of the Championship round of the Contest on June 8, 2013.
All performances will occur in the Rotunda at the Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota. Each Contestant is responsible for providing all of their own transportation, hotel accommodations and expenses for the Contest. Contestants MUST be available to perform at any time during the Contest from 10:00AM – 8:00PM on Saturday, June 8, 2012. Any individual that cannot perform during their assigned time may be disqualified.
Regular texting charges will apply for any texting participation. Contact your telecommunications carrier for details and specific plan pricing.
Tiebreaker Procedure: In the event of a tie for any place, the Contestant with the highest number of audience votes will take the higher place. If a tie still remains, then the Contestant with the highest overall Judges’ score will take the higher place. If a tie still remains, then the Contestant with the highest Judges’ score in the “voice quality” category will take the higher place. If a tie still remains, then the Contestant with the highest Judges’ score in the “stage presence” category will take the higher place. If a tie still remains, then the Contestant with the highest Judges’ score in the “entertainment value” category will take the higher place. If a tie still remains, a majority vote of the Judges will determine which Contestant will take the higher place. The final decision in the event of a tie will be made by Judge(s). Decisions of Sponsor(s) and the Judges will be final and binding on all matters.
Entry Period: The Contest begins on December 21, 2012 at approximately 3:00PM Central Time (“CT”) and ends on June 8, 2013 at approximately 8:00PM CT (“Contest Period”). The entry submission period begins on December 21, 2012 at approximately 3:00PM Central Time (“CT”) and ends on April 30, 2013 at 11:59 PM CT. All online entries must be submitted by April 30, 2013 at 11:59PM CT and all mail-in entries must be postmarked by April 30, 2013 and received by Sponsor(s) by May 7, 2013. All pledges must be submitted by May 13, 2013 at 11:59PM CT to qualify as one of the 20 Pledge Semi-finalists. (collectively, the “Entry Submission Deadline”). Entries received after the Entry Submission Deadline or outside the Contest Period are void. All entries must be received by Sponsor(s) on or before Entry Submission Deadline as determined by Administrator’s computer time clock. This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook. By entering, you understand that you are providing your information to Administrator and Sponsor(s) and not Facebook.
Odds of Winning depend on the total combined number of eligible entries received. Odds of winning after being chosen as a Contestant are 6:60 and the quality of individual Submissions.
3. Winner Notification/Requirements: Each potential Semi-finalist winner will be notified by email, mail or phone by May 15, 2013 that they have qualified to perform at the Mall of America “Sing Off” event on June 8, 2012. Each potential Championship round finalist and Championship round winner will be notified in person at the Mall of America “Sing Off” event on June 8, 2012. Any potential Prize winner may be required to sign and return to Sponsor(s), within seven (7) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, an Affidavit of Eligibility, General Release & Waiver, and Publicity Release in the form or forms provided by Administrator and Sponsor(s) (where and to the extent legally permissible) in order to claim the Prize. A Prize winner must confirm his/her ability to appear at Moondance Jammin Country or Moondance Jam within seven (7) days of the initial Prize notification being sent to the potential winner, or the Prize will be forfeited. If a potential Prize winner cannot be contacted, or fails to sign and return the applicable Affidavit of Eligibility, General Release & Waiver, and/or Publicity Release within the required time period noted above, the potential Prize winner will be disqualified and forfeits the Prize. If not disqualified, the potential Prize winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning and awarding of the Prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements, return of Prize notification or Prize as undeliverable, or disqualification of any potential winner for any reason may result in forfeiture of Prize, and the Judge(s) may select an alternate winner based on the next highest scoring Finalist, if available. If, after selection of three (3) consecutive alternate potential winners, no alternate winner qualifies to receive the Prize, then the Prize may remain un-awarded.
4. Prize(s) and Donor(s): Each of the top three Country Music potential winners will receive the following: (i) perform on stage with the stars at Moondance Jammin Country June 21-22, 2013; (ii) receive one (1) free studio recording session where they will create their own CD; and (iii) receive hotel accommodations for one (1) night (one standard room, double occupancy, including room tax) in the Walker, Minnesota area for the night of performance (each package, a “Prize”). The approximate retail value of the Prize is $500. Each of the top three Rock Music potential winners will receive the following: (i) perform on stage with the stars at Moondance Jam July 18-20, 2013. ; (ii) receive one (1) free studio recording session where they will create their own CD; and (iii) receive hotel accommodations for one (1) night (one standard room, double occupancy, including room tax) in the Walker, Minnesota area for the night of performance (each package, a “Prize”). The approximate retail value of the Prize is $500. Each winner is responsible for providing all of their own transportation, any additional hotel accommodations and expenses for the Contest, and/or to attend the Moondance Jam or the Moondance Jammin Country. All expenses not specifically mentioned herein are not included and are solely the winner’s responsibility, including but not limited to: round trip transportation between the winner’s residence and the Mall of America, round trip transportation between the winner’s residence and the Moondance event, beverages, food, gratuities and tips, taxes, insurance, laundry service, merchandise, parking, room service, service charges, souvenirs and telephone calls. Winner will not receive difference between actual and approximate retail value. Administrator and Sponsor(s) make(s) no warranties concerning any component of a Prize that is not provided directly by Administrator and Sponsor(s). Prize is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash, and no substitution will be made unless Administrator and Sponsor(s), in its sole discretion, determines otherwise. Administrator and Sponsor(s) reserves the right to substitute a Prize for one of equal or greater value, in Administrator and Sponsor’(s) sole discretion, if a Prize should become unavailable for any reason. Winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable federal, state and local taxes, and for any and all other costs, assessments, expenses, and fees associated with Prize award, receipt and use. If a Prize allows the winner to share the Prize with guests, Administrator and Sponsor(s) may require each of the winner’s guests to sign and return a General Release & Waiver and Publicity Release, as a condition for use of any component of the Prize.
5. Release/Publicity Consent: As a condition to receipt of a Prize, winner agrees to sign a General Release & Waiver releasing Administrator, Sponsor(s) and its parent, affiliate, subsidiary entities, its merchants, and their respective agents, employees, suppliers, and advertising/promotional and judging agencies, Special Olympics Minnesota (the Karaoke Sing Thing “Sponsor Group”), Facebook, and each of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, from any and all liability whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and/or property which may be sustained in connection with the Contest or the Prize. As a condition to receipt of any Prize, winners may be required to sign affidavits/disclaimers and tax forms, and winners are responsible for any and all costs, taxes, assessments, expenses, and fees associated with the Contest and Prize award, receipt and use. Except where prohibited by law, winners consent and agree to the use of their names, city and state/country, photographs, likeness, Submission(s), statements, video, and voices for broadcast, marketing and promotional purposes in any media (including, without limitation, online) by Administrator and Sponsor(s) and its promotional agencies, Contest partners, designees, successors and assigns, before, during and after the Contest, without compensation or right of review, attribution, or notice, in perpetuity. Winners may be required by Karaoke Sing Thing and Sponsor(s) to sign a Publicity Release (where not prohibited by law) regarding such consent as a condition to receipt of a Prize.
6. Agreement to Official Rules: By participating in the Contest, Contestant fully and unconditionally agrees to and accepts these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor(s) and/or Administrator (including but not limited to decisions regarding eligibility of entries, the selection of Contestants and winners, and the awarding of prizes), which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Administrator and Sponsor(s) reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, modify or suspend the Contest if, in Administrator’s and/or Sponsor’(s) opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of fraud, tampering, unauthorized intervention, technical difficulties or failures, or any other factor beyond Administrator’s and Sponsor’(s) reasonable control that may affect the administration, security, fairness or integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest. Failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that term or any other term in these Official Rules. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were eliminated from the rules.
7. General Conditions: Administrator and Sponsor(s) reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failure, computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, or any other factor beyond Administrator and Sponsor’(s) control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest, as determined by Administrator and Sponsor(s) in their sole discretion. In the event Administrator and Sponsor(s) are in disagreement over a modification, suspension, or termination of the Contest, then MOAC Mall Holdings LLC shall have the final decision with respect to any modification, suspension, or termination of the Contest. Sponsor(s), in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and/or civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor(s) reserves the right to prosecute and/or seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor(s) is not responsible for incomplete, illegible, misdirected, misprinted, late, or lost entries, Submissions or Prize notifications; or for lost, interrupted, inaccessible or unavailable networks, servers, satellites, Internet service providers, websites, or other connections; or for miscommunications, failed, jumbled, scrambled, delayed or misdirected computer, telecommunications or cable transmissions; or for any technical malfunctions, failures, difficulties, or other errors of any kind or nature; or for the incorrect or incomplete capture of information, or the failure to capture any information. No mechanically reproduced, illegible, incomplete, forged, software-generated or otherwise multiple entries will be accepted. If any dispute regarding identity of any finalist or winner cannot be resolved to Sponsor’(s) satisfaction, that Contestant/potential winner will be disqualified.
8. Disputes: Except where prohibited, Contestant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest or any Prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the Federal District Court of Hennepin County, Minnesota; (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will Contestant be permitted to obtain awards for, and Contestant hereby waives all rights to claim, indirect, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased.
9. Governing Law: The Contest is governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to any choice of law provisions. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor(s) in connection with the Contest and/or any Prize, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Minnesota without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Minnesota or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Minnesota.
10. Contestant’s Personal Information: All personal information collected from Contestant is subject to the Administrator’s Privacy Policy and Sponsor(s) Privacy Policy (as set forth on the Website) except to the extent waived by a winner through agreement to a Publicity Release.
11. Sponsor(s) and Administrator: The Contest is sponsored by MOAC Mall Holdings LLC, doing business as Mall of America, 60 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, and Moondance Events, 7050 39th Ave NW, Walker, MN 56484 (“Sponsor(s)”). The Contest is sponsored to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota, 100 Washington Ave South, Suite 550, Minneapolis, MN 55401. The Contest is administered by Karaoke Sing Thing Contest, Inc. (“Administrator”), 8523 South Pond Trail, Champlin, Minnesota, 55316.
12. Winners List/Official Rules: For a complete list of winners and/or copies of the Official Contest Rules, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Karaoke Sing Thing Contest, 8523 South Pond Trail, Champlin, Minnesota, 55316. All such requests must be received within six (6) weeks after the end of the Contest. These Official Rules will be posted on the Karaoke Sing Thing Website during the Contest Period.
All questions regarding the Contest can be referred to Shannon Hooley, Karaoke Sing Thing Contest Inc. at [email protected]
