WHO MAY ENTER:

Eligibility: All Supernova branded Showdown 2011 contests (jointly and severally the "Contests") are open to musical groups comprised of members aged All Ages and places of residence within Toronto. A band (the “Band”) is defined as at least one person with at least one instrument. A person may participate in more than one Band. Wherever ‘you’ is used in these rules, it refers to the entire Band. As such, any member of a Band agrees that he or she is representing all other Band members in any and all communications with Supernova. Supernova’s directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, representatives, assigns and family members are ineligible to participate. Live event based contest and competitions are open to amateur bands only and not open to bands whose band members belong to any organization that administrates copyright-protected music, including but not limited to SOCAN and Music Publishers Association. Any band belonging to any such organization must make Supernova aware of their membership in advance of playing the live event. Supernova will not be held liable for organizational fees incurred by these organizations should the band neglect to identify themselves as members of this organization. The band acknowledges that if they do belong to any such organization and fail to notify Supernova in advance of playing the live event, they may be held responsible for any such organizational fees this organization requires of Supernova as a result of this band’s participation. Supernova reserves the right to refuse entry in its sole discretion and without explanation.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Registration: To enter, you must register for an artist user account, which is done on www.Supernova.com. In creating your account, you must: create a profile (the “Profile”); enter contact information for the Band which must include at least a telephone number or email address (this is how Supernova will contact you about performances, winners, etc.); and if you want to perform in a live show, select an upcoming show in which you’d like to perform. You are advised to upload any audio or video (jointly and severally the “Materials”), subject to the terms and conditions below, of your Band performing, particularly if you are competing only in the Online Battle (see below), as you will be judged solely on your Profile.

Meetings: Prior to your first live performance, you will be required to attend 2 mandatory meetings. If you have chosen to compete in a live event, a Supernova booking agent (the “Booking Agent”) will contact you to make further arrangements, including providing you with dates and times for the meetings and the date of the live event. The first meeting (“M1”) will take place approximately one month prior to the live event. At that meeting, you’ll receive the following items, subject to change without notice: a quantity of tickets to sell on consignment (see below), a promotional kit which may include 8x11” posters and 4x5” handbills, a band manual, and a contract with respect to your live performance (any Band that competes in a live performance may be required to sign additional documents before performing). The second meeting (“M2”) takes place the evening before the live event or, in special cases, at least two hours prior to the scheduled time that doors will open. Failure to notify your Booking Agent of the band’s absence at a meeting may result in, but is not limited to, unfavorable set times or exclusion from the live event.

Ticket Sales: In between M1 and M2 (see ‘Meetings’ above), you will be requested to sell tickets to the show you’re performing in an effort to help promote the show and your band’s participation. The number of tickets you sell will influence your set times (see below). Before a band performs Once you’ve completed your ticket sales, the band you must remit all proceeds AND any unsold tickets to Supernova, unless prior arrangements have been made, in writing to the contrary. The number of tickets sold and returned must equal the amount you were given at M1. Further, proper conduct at live events is expected of fans. You may be held personally responsible for improper conduct of any and all ticketholders to whom you sold tickets.

Set times: You will be permitted to submit your time slot and time set length preferences to Supernova prior to M2 but the final time slots and set lengths will be based on your tickets sales. For example, the greater amount of tickets sold, the closer to first choice of time slot and set length you will receive. You’ll be advised of your venue arrival time during M2. The set list times will be posted online after M2. Note that set lengths include set-up time.

HOW TO WIN:

There are 3 categories of competition: the tiered category, the single show category, and the online vote.

Tiered Category:

1. Round 1 – the Qualifying Round:
The Qualifying round is the first round in this category. One winner will be chosen by a judge based on the criteria below. The winner will receive a prize as described on the show profile page and advance with the wildcard winner (see below) to the City Finals round. In some series, there may be a selection process in the form of a contest, vote, or other format for a band to become eligible to reach this round.

2. Round 2 - City Finals Round:
The City Finals round is the optional second round in this category, and does not exist in each and every series. The contestants are made up of the winning band from each of the qualifying shows and additional runner up bands. All bands who played in a qualifying show and were selected for the finals are eligible to win prizing. In eligible markets where a City Finals exists, the show is made up of winners from Qualifying shows and invited Special Guests. One winner will be chosen by a judge based on originality, musicianship, songwriting, stage presence and crowd response. The winner will receive a prize as described on the show profile page and advance with the wildcard winner (see below) to the next and final round, being the National Online Vote. Bands who are invited by Supernova to participate in the show but haven’t earned an advancement position through participation in a Qualifying show are not eligible to compete in this round of competition and are ineligible to win prizing set aside for competing bands.

3. National Online Vote
The National Online Vote is the third and/or final round in this category. The winner of the City Finals Round and the following wildcard vote (see below) will be showcased in an online vote called the National Online Vote. In the case where no City Finals Round occurs, eligible bands who win a Qualifying Round will be advanced onto the National Online Vote. The National Online Vote remains open for 2 weeks, starting and ending on dates to be determined by Supernova. The dates and length are subject to change at any time by Supernova. Supernova.com registered users (“Users”) will be permitted to vote for their favourite Bands once per day, every day from the time the vote opens to the day it closes. The Band with the most votes, after all votes have been validated, will be announced as the Grand Prize winner and will receive a prize as described in the show profile page. Votes that are determined to be ineligible will be void. The conditions for voting are subject to change without notice by Supernova. Results declared by Supernova are final. Supernova reserves the right to cancel the vote in favour of another winning band selection process at any time and without notice.

Wildcard Vote
Additional winners will be selected through the wildcard votes. There will be two wildcard votes: one shortly after the Qualifying Round and one shortly after the City Finals round. The starting and ending dates and the length of each wildcard vote will be determined by Supernova and announced on this site. During each wildcard vote, Users will be permitted to vote for their favourite Bands once per day, every day from the time the vote opens to the day it closes. The Band with the most votes at the end of each wildcard vote, after all votes have been validated, will be announced and will automatically qualify for the next round as well as receive a prize as described in the show profile page. Votes that are determined to be ineligible will be void. Supernova reserves the right to cancel the wildcard vote in its sole discretion or select winners by alternate means if, in Supernova’s sole discretion, the voting becomes technically or otherwise corrupted. In the event of a tie, Supernova will select the winner by random drawing from among the highest ranked Bands. The conditions for voting are subject to change without notice by Supernova. Results declared by Supernova are final. Supernova reserves the right to cancel the vote in favour of another winning band selection process at any time and without notice.

Single Show Category:
Bands participating in this category will perform one live set. A Supernova appointed judge will select one Grand Prize winner. In addition, a wildcard vote will be held shortly after the show. The starting and ending dates and the length of the wildcard vote will be determined by Supernova and announced on this site. During the wildcard vote Users will be permitted to vote for their favourite Bands once per day, every day from the time the vote opens to the day it closes. The Band with the most votes at the end of the wildcard vote, after all votes have been validated, will be announced and will receive a prize as described in the show profile page. Votes that are determined to be ineligible will be void. The conditions for voting are subject to change without notice by Supernova. Results declared by Supernova are final. Supernova reserves the right to cancel the vote in favour of another winning band selection process at any time and without notice.

Online Battle Category:
In this category, Bands do not perform in a live event. Instead, Users vote for a winner based on the Bands’ Profiles. Users will be permitted to vote for their favourite Bands once per day, every day from the time the vote opens to the day it closes. The starting and ending dates and the length of this category will be determined by Supernova and announced on this site. The Band with the most votes at the end of the wildcard vote, after all votes have been validated, will be announced as the Grand Prize Winner and will receive a prize as described in the show profile page. Votes that are determined to be ineligible will be void. Supernova reserves the right to cancel the wildcard vote in its sole discretion or select winners by alternate means if, in Supernova’s sole discretion, the voting becomes technically or otherwise corrupted. In the event of a tie, Supernova will select the winner by random drawing from among the highest ranked Bands. The conditions for voting are subject to change without notice by Supernova. Results declared by Supernova are final. Supernova reserves the right to cancel the vote in favour of another winning band selection process at any time and without notice.

HOW YOU ARE JUDGED:

Judges: All Supernova judges are professionals within the music and/or entertainment industry. Supernova reserves the right to protect the identity of all judges in order to maintain anonymity and fairness to all bands.

Criteria: Judges will select winners of live events based on the following criteria: originality, musicianship, songwriting, stage presence and crowd response.

Fan Ballot: In some cases Supernova may offer a balloting option to the fans attending the event, which may supplant or augment the judging process.

WINNERS:

Notification: If you have been selected as a winner, a Supernova representative will contact you within 72 business hours of the end of the category or round with prizing forms and vouchers. However, Supernova is not responsible for any communication not received by the Band. Therefore, if you haven’t been contacted in this amount of time, you are advised to check your spam/junk folder. Additionally, you may contact Supernova at their head office at 416-635-8885 or via their website at http://www.supernova.com/contact/default.aspx to verify whether or not you have been selected as a winner, as well as to have any forms resent, if required.

Name and likeness: Except where prohibited by law, by registering, Bands grant permission to use all Band members’ names, hometowns, likenesses, public profile media, and photographs for online posting, and/or any advertising and publicity without additional compensation.

WHAT DO YOU WIN?

Prizing: Prizes for each are described in the show profile page. Tiered Category competitions feature different tiers of competition and therefore different prizes for each tier. Each tier’s prizes are described in the show profile page and/or the Show Manual. In the event of a dispute regarding which tier receives which prize, Supernova will make the final decision at their sole option. Winners may be required to fulfill certain obligations in order to receive prices, including but not limited, to payment for shipping and mastering of recordings. The Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash or substituted for any other items. Prizes are subject to change or cancellation without notice in the sole discretion of Supernova for reasons including but not limited to unavailability of stock and breach of these or any other Battle of the Bands rules. Neither Supernova, Supernova’s directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, representatives, sponsors, partners, nor suppliers will be held liable for changes or substitutions to Prizes. Additional qualifying criteria, such as minimum tickets sold required to be eligible for winning Prizes, may apply. Bands are responsible to claim their Prizes on their own time and expense. Bands may forfeit their Prize if they do not claim or obtain their Prize within six months of the date of winning the Prize. Only the band whose members performed in the event for which the Prize was won can claim the Prize.

BAND CODE OF CONDUCT:

Event: Bands and accompanying personnel will conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner at all times while on the event premises and will cooperate with all Supernova and/or Venue staff at all times. Any verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. Offenders will be ejected from the premises, may be disqualified and any damage incurred or injury inflicted met with maximum penalty and/or dealt with by the law accordingly. Breaches of the venue security and health & safety regulations will also not be tolerated and may lead to disqualification. Supernova reserves the right to disqualify any band that is, or whose fans are observed to be behaving in an uncompetitive or inappropriate manner.

Online: Any attempt by a Band to deliberately damage the web site or undermine the legitimate operations of the Contests by, including but not limited to, cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other Bands or Supernova representatives or employees may result in immediate disqualification and damages sought by Supernova from the Band to the fullest extent permitted by law.

GENERAL:

Profiles: Supernova is not responsible for error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of Profile content and/or the Materials, or technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware, or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of or failure to receive Profile content and/or the Materials. Supernova is also not responsible for any injury or damage to any Band’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from playing or downloading any Materials.

Equipment: By registering, the Band agrees to accept responsibility for any damage done or caused to be done directly or indirectly to Supernova, or the hosting Venue’s equipment.

Copyright and License: By uploading the Materials, the Band warrants and represents that the Materials are (a) original to the Band; (b) do not infringe the intellectual property, privacy, publicity, any other rights of any third party, or any other law; and (c) does not violate any law or regulation. Furthermore, by uploading the Materials, the Band irrevocably grants to Supernova, its agents, licensees, and assigns the unconditional and perpetual right and permission to store, copy, transmit, post, broadcast, and display the Material on any and all media now known or hereinafter invented, without additional review, compensation, or approval from the Band or any other party.

Indemnification: By registering, the Band agrees to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Supernova and each of its respective directors, officers, employees, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, representatives and assigns of and from any and all liability for any damages, injury or losses, to any person (including death), or property, of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuses or use of any prize or participation in any Contest-related activity or participation in the Contests generally. Further, the Band agrees not to instigate, support, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against Supernova on the grounds that any use of the entry, or any derivative works, infringes any of the entrant’s rights as creator of the entry, including, without limitation, copyrights, trademark rights, and moral rights.

Termination: Supernova reserves the right to cancel, terminate, change or suspend any or all aspects of the Contests, including but not limited to dates, locations and durations of contests, contest details, and prizing at any time without prior notice in its sole discretion.

Event Cancellation or Postponement: Supernova reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event without notice. In the unlikely event that an event is cancelled or postponed, Supernova will honour any tickets sold by any band for that bands’ next upcoming Supernova event.

Band Withdrawal from Event or Competition: In the event that the band withdraws from the event the band is not to refund any tickets sold, tickets are sold on consignment by the band FOR the event, All sales are final. Supernova may, at its sole discretion, elect to honour these tickets for that bands’ next upcoming Supernova event.

Sponsor Withdrawal: Prizes are often supplied by sponsors. In the unlikely event that a sponsor withdraws from their prizing obligations, Supernova, Supernova’s directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, representatives, sponsors, partners, or suppliers will not be held responsible by the band. Supernova will undergo its best efforts to provide a replacement prize of equal value. Should the band not accept the substitute prize, the band waives their claim to said prize.

Contest or Competition Cancellation or Postponement: In the unlikely event that a contest is cancelled or postponed at any time, Supernova, Supernova’s directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, representatives, sponsors, partners, or suppliers will not be held responsible by the band.

Changes to Contest or Competition: Supernova reserves the right, at its sole option, to extend or shorten contests or competitions, add or reduce the amount of events per contest or competition, and add or reduce the number of participating cities and/or venues at any time and without notice.

Live Event: Live events by nature can be unpredictable. While Supernova provides its best efforts to manage an organized event, circumstances out of Supernova’s control may affect the event. One common change occurs to set time slots and set length; a band is told they are going on stage at a certain time but end up going on stage at a different time or a set length is shortened or extended. Supernova reserves the right to change or alter the event as it sees fit, at its sole discretion, and without notice.