Standard Music-Performance Sports (MPS) Rules & Regulations

Music-Performance Sports League, LLC
Effective Date: August 2, 2024
Version 1.0

These Standard Music-Performance Sports Rules & Regulations (“MPS Rules”) establish the official baseline rules governing Music-Performance Sports competitions sanctioned by Music-Performance Sports League, LLC (“MPSL”).

MPSL is the governing body responsible for establishing and maintaining standards for authorized Music-Performance Sports competitions.

These Rules are intended to promote competitive integrity, fair play, consistent administration, transparent scoring, artist eligibility, and the development of Music-Performance Sports as an organized competitive system.

ARTICLE I — GOVERNING AUTHORITY

Section 1.01 — Governing Body

Music-Performance Sports League, LLC is the governing authority for official MPS-sanctioned competitions.

MPSL establishes and maintains:

Competition standards
Player eligibility requirements
Divisional classifications
Scoring standards
Competition-integrity requirements
Rules for authorized MPS games and leagues
Player rankings and records where applicable
Championship standards
Official competition procedures
Sanctions and disciplinary procedures
Standards for MPS franchises, divisions, administrators, judges, and officials

Section 1.02 — Scope

These Standard MPS Rules apply to MPSL-sanctioned Music-Performance Sports competitions unless a specific competition has an approved rule or Competition Addendum establishing a different procedure.

Section 1.03 — Competition Addendums

Individual MPS games, leagues, tournaments, circuits, divisions, or championships may publish an official Competition Addendum establishing matters such as:

Competition format
Number of players
Conferences or regions
Team structure
Schedule
Match format
Scoring formula
Advancement procedures
Tiebreakers
Ranking points
Prize structure
Submission windows
Competition-specific eligibility
Championship procedures

Where an approved Competition Addendum conflicts with these Standard Rules on a competition-specific matter, the Competition Addendum controls for that competition.

ARTICLE II — MPS COMPETITORS

Section 2.01 — MPS-Athletes

An MPS-Athlete is an eligible independent artist who participates in a sanctioned Music-Performance Sports competition.

MPS-Athletes compete through their music for scores, rankings, advancement, championships, awards, and other opportunities established by MPSL.

Participation as an MPS-Athlete does not, by itself, create an employment relationship with MPSL.

Section 2.02 — Divisions

MPSL recognizes separate competitive classifications, including:

IA Division

Independent Artists Division

The IA Division is for eligible human independent artists competing through their music.

AI Division

AI Artist Division

The AI Division is for eligible digital AI Artists competing through qualifying AI-generated music.

Unless expressly authorized by MPSL, IA Division and AI Division competitors shall not be combined within the same competitive field when the applicable competition requires divisional separation.

Section 2.03 — Definition of AI Artist

For MPS competition purposes, an AI Artist is:

A digital artist whose music and artistic identity are created through prompt-based generative artificial intelligence.

An AI Artist may have a distinct:

Artist name
Voice
Image
Persona
Musical style
Catalog

The digital AI Artist is the competitor.

The human creator, prompt engineer, producer, owner, or other person associated with the AI Artist is not the competing artist and may not substitute for or represent the AI Artist as the performing artist where a competition requires the competitor to perform live.

Section 2.04 — Independent Record Labels

Eligible artists affiliated with independent record labels may participate in MPS competitions.

The artist or authorized representative must possess the necessary authority to submit the artist and competition music.

MPSL may require documentation confirming authorization.

ARTICLE III — PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Section 3.01 — General Eligibility

A competitor must:

Meet the requirements of the applicable division
Complete required registration
Provide accurate information
Submit eligible music
Comply with applicable deadlines
Pay required fees, if any
Accept applicable MPS rules and competition terms
Maintain good standing during competition

Section 3.02 — Accurate Representation

A competitor may not materially misrepresent:

Identity
Artist classification
Song ownership or authorization
Division eligibility
Competition history when requested
Geographic eligibility when relevant
Label or management authorization
AI or human-artist status

Material misrepresentation may result in rejection, disqualification, suspension, forfeiture, or other disciplinary action.

Section 3.03 — Verification

MPSL may reasonably request documentation necessary to verify eligibility, identity, music rights, artist authorization, or divisional classification.

ARTICLE IV — COMPETITION MUSIC

Section 4.01 — Eligible Songs

A competition song must satisfy the requirements of the applicable MPS competition.

Songs may be submitted through approved methods, which may include:

MP3 upload
Spotify
Apple Music
Other platforms specifically approved by MPSL

Section 4.02 — Clean / Radio-Edit Standard

All songs entered into MPS competition must be clean/radio-edit versions.

Songs containing explicit language or content prohibited by the applicable competition standard may be rejected.

This requirement applies to:

Uploaded MP3 files
Spotify-linked songs
Apple Music-linked songs
Other approved submission methods

Section 4.03 — Rights to Compete With Song

The competitor or authorized submitting party must possess sufficient rights, licenses, permissions, or authorization to enter the song into the competition and permit the uses required to administer and promote that competition.

Section 4.04 — Song Changes

Whether a player may change songs between games or rounds is determined by the applicable Competition Addendum.

A competition may establish:

Song-change deadlines
Song-change fees
Score resets
Score carryovers
Restrictions on previously used songs
Championship song requirements

ARTICLE V — SONG SUBMISSIONS

Section 5.01 — Standard Weekly Deadline

Unless an approved Competition Addendum provides otherwise, a competing song must be submitted by:

Tuesday at 12:00 AM — midnight at the start of Tuesday — for the applicable competition week.

Section 5.02 — Late Submission

An otherwise eligible player who misses the standard deadline may submit during an authorized late-submission period, where offered.

The standard MPS Late Submission Fee is:

$25

Payment of the fee does not guarantee acceptance if:

The authorized late window has closed
The song is ineligible
The player is otherwise ineligible
Accepting the submission would materially interfere with competition administration

Section 5.03 — Submission Record

MPSL's competition system may record:

Submission date and time
Song
Submission method
Player
Competition
Late-submission status
Applicable fee/payment status
Approval status

ARTICLE VI — STANDARD MPS SCORING

Section 6.01 — Competitive Scoring

MPS competitions are determined through the scoring methodology authorized for the applicable game.

MPS scoring may incorporate:

Performance-based evaluation by authorized judges; and
Public evaluation, voting, or rating.

The applicable Competition Addendum shall identify the exact formula used to determine a game's final score.

Section 6.02 — Performance Points (PPs)

Authorized judges evaluate competition songs using designated MPS performance categories.

The standard categories are:

Delivery

Evaluation of how effectively the artist communicates and presents the song, including execution, presence, vocal or lyrical delivery, flow, timing, emotional impact, and overall presentation as applicable to the genre.

Song Quality

Evaluation of the overall quality and effectiveness of the song, including composition, production, arrangement, lyrics where applicable, originality, structure, and cohesiveness.

Radio Readiness

Evaluation of the song's overall commercial and broadcast readiness, including production quality, accessibility, presentation, structure, polish, and potential suitability for professional music distribution and programming.

Section 6.03 — Judge Scale

Unless otherwise specified, judges score each designated category on a:

1–10 scale

The resulting judge scores are used to calculate the player's Performance Points (PPs) according to the applicable scoring formula.

Section 6.04 — Public Scoring

MPS competitions may incorporate public scoring through a voting or rating methodology established for that competition.

Depending on the competition, public scoring may include:

Average Public Rating Score (APRS)
Public Voting Points (PvPs)
Poll Points (PoPs)
Another MPSL-approved public scoring metric

The Competition Addendum must identify the public scoring method used.

Section 6.05 — Final Score

The final score for a game is determined using the applicable combination of Performance Points and public scoring established by the competition.

The competitor with the higher official final score wins unless the applicable format provides otherwise.

Section 6.06 — Score Certification

Scores are not official until certified by the authorized MPS Game Administrator, official, competition director, or other designated authority.

ARTICLE VII — PUBLIC VOTING AND RATING

Section 7.01 — Fair Participation

Public voting and rating must represent legitimate participation.

Section 7.02 — Prohibited Manipulation

The following are prohibited:

Bots
Automated voting
Scripts
Vote farms
Unauthorized duplicate accounts
Fraudulent accounts
Purchased fraudulent votes
Artificial ratings
Circumvention of voting restrictions
Unauthorized technical manipulation
Coordinated activity designed to fraudulently distort results

Section 7.03 — Investigation

MPSL may investigate suspicious activity using available technical, administrative, statistical, account, or other reasonable evidence.

Section 7.04 — Invalid Scores or Votes

MPSL may remove or invalidate votes, ratings, or other scoring activity reasonably determined to be fraudulent or ineligible.

ARTICLE VIII — JUDGES

Section 8.01 — Authorized Judges

Judges must be authorized by MPSL or by an approved competition administrator operating within delegated authority.

Section 8.02 — Impartiality

Judges are expected to evaluate competition music fairly and consistently according to MPS scoring criteria.

Section 8.03 — Conflicts of Interest

A judge should disclose any material relationship or conflict that could reasonably call the judge's impartiality into question.

MPSL may replace or recuse a judge when appropriate.

Section 8.04 — Judge Scores

Once officially submitted and certified, a judge's score may not ordinarily be changed except to correct:

Clerical errors
Data-entry errors
Technical errors
Calculation errors
Other verified administrative mistakes

ARTICLE IX — GAME ADMINISTRATION

Section 9.01 — Game Administrator

An authorized Game Administrator supervises individual MPS games and helps ensure compliance with league standards.

Section 9.02 — Authorized Functions

Subject to assigned permissions, a Game Administrator may:

Create authorized games within the established competition structure
Manage game-level operations
Upload approved MP3 competition songs
Add approved Spotify or Apple Music song links
Verify submission status
Manage game information
Supervise voting and scoring processes
Record or certify game-level results where authorized
Report rule violations

Section 9.03 — Limitations of Authority

A Game Administrator may not, unless specifically authorized by MPSL:

Create a new league
Alter the governing league structure
Change an established regular-season format
Modify official scoring standards
Change player eligibility requirements
Modify MPS Rules
Create unauthorized competition formats
Exercise authority outside assigned game-level permissions

ARTICLE X — COMPETITION INTEGRITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP

Section 10.01 — Competitive Integrity

All participants are expected to protect the legitimacy and integrity of Music-Performance Sports.

Section 10.02 — Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited conduct includes:

Cheating
Score manipulation
Vote manipulation
Bribery
Collusion
Match fixing
Falsification of eligibility information
Submission of unauthorized music
Impersonation
Threats against judges, officials, competitors, or administrators
Intentional interference with competition systems
Attempts to improperly influence an official result

Section 10.03 — Sportsmanship

Competitive rivalries, promotion, debate, and artist expression are recognized components of Music-Performance Sports.

However, competitors must not engage in unlawful threats, targeted harassment, or conduct that materially interferes with the safe and fair operation of an MPS event or competition.

ARTICLE XI — DISCIPLINE AND SANCTIONS

Section 11.01 — Available Sanctions

Depending on the severity and circumstances of a violation, MPSL may impose:

Warning
Score adjustment
Invalidated votes
Point deduction
Loss of ranking points
Forfeiture
Disqualification
Suspension
Loss of eligibility
Removal from a competition
Removal from an MPS-sanctioned league
Other reasonable sanctions authorized by applicable rules

Section 11.02 — Proportionality

Disciplinary action should reasonably reflect the nature, severity, competitive impact, intent, and history of the violation.

Section 11.03 — Serious Integrity Violations

Fraud, deliberate competition manipulation, match fixing, falsified eligibility, or intentional interference with scoring may result in immediate suspension or disqualification pending review.

ARTICLE XII — PROTESTS, REVIEWS, AND CORRECTIONS

Section 12.01 — Competition Protest

A competitor may request review of an alleged rules or administrative error according to the protest procedure and deadline established for the applicable competition.

Section 12.02 — Grounds for Review

A review may address matters such as:

Incorrect score calculation
Ineligible competitor
Improper song submission
Fraudulent voting
Technical failure
Incorrect application of an MPS rule
Material administrative error

A disagreement with a judge's subjective professional evaluation, standing alone, is not ordinarily grounds for overturning a score.

Section 12.03 — Evidence

The protesting party may be required to provide relevant evidence supporting the protest.

Section 12.04 — Final Decision

The designated MPSL competition authority shall issue the final administrative determination after reviewing the available evidence and applicable rules.

ARTICLE XIII — TECHNICAL FAILURES

Section 13.01 — Platform Failure

If a material technical problem affects voting, scoring, song playback, submissions, or competition administration, MPSL may take reasonable corrective measures.

Section 13.02 — Corrective Measures

Corrective action may include:

Extending a voting window
Reopening a scoring period
Restoring valid data
Removing corrupted data
Rescheduling a game
Replaying an affected portion of a competition
Using verified backup records
Declaring another equitable remedy consistent with competitive integrity

No corrective measure should provide an improper competitive advantage.

ARTICLE XIV — TIES

Section 14.01 — Tiebreaking Procedure

Ties shall be resolved according to the Competition Addendum governing the applicable game.

A competition may use:

Higher Performance Points
Higher public score
Category-specific scores
Additional judge scoring
Additional public scoring
Overtime or an additional performance round
Another approved MPS tiebreaking procedure

ARTICLE XV — RECORDS, RANKINGS, AND STATISTICS

Section 15.01 — Official Records

MPSL may maintain official records including:

Wins and losses
Scores
Rankings
Ranking points
Competition appearances
Championships
Awards
Team records
Player statistics
Historical competition results

Section 15.02 — Corrections

MPSL may correct verified clerical, technical, statistical, or calculation errors in official records.

Section 15.03 — Historical Records

Certified competition results may be retained as part of the permanent historical record of Music-Performance Sports.

ARTICLE XVI — LIVE COMPETITIONS

Section 16.01 — Additional Live Rules

Live MPS events may establish additional rules concerning:

Performance duration
Stage access
Equipment
Sound checks
Performance order
Backing tracks
Live vocals
Technical production
Venue requirements
Safety
Audience conduct
Real-time scoring

Section 16.02 — Live Performance Requirement

When a competition requires a competitor to perform live, the registered eligible competitor must satisfy the applicable live-performance requirement.

An AI Artist may compete in an online or digitally compatible AI Division competition where permitted, but a human creator, prompt engineer, producer, or other person may not substitute for the digital AI Artist as the artist in a required live performance.

ARTICLE XVII — FRANCHISE AND DIVISION COMPETITIONS

Section 17.01 — MPSL Authority

Authorized franchises, divisions, and licensees remain subject to MPSL's governing standards and applicable franchise or license agreements.

Section 17.02 — Local Operations

An authorized franchise or division may administer local operations and approved competitions within the authority granted by MPSL.

Section 17.03 — National Standards

Local rules may supplement but may not contradict MPSL's mandatory national standards unless MPSL expressly authorizes the variation.

ARTICLE XVIII — MEDIA AND PUBLIC COMPETITION INFORMATION

Section 18.01 — Public Sports Information

MPSL competitions are public-facing sports and entertainment activities.

Accordingly, MPSL may publish appropriate competition information including:

Player names and stage names
Team or division
Matchups
Competition songs
Scores
Rankings
Statistics
Results
Championships
Awards
Competition history

Section 18.02 — Promotional and Media Rights

Specific rights involving photographs, video, audio, interviews, broadcasts, livestreams, performances, or other media may be governed by participant releases, competition agreements, licenses, or other applicable terms.

ARTICLE XIX — OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION OF RULES

Section 19.01 — Interpretation

MPSL retains authority to interpret these Rules and resolve circumstances not expressly addressed by them.

Interpretations should be consistent with:

Competitive integrity;
Fair treatment of competitors;
The established structure of the applicable competition;
The purpose and principles of Music-Performance Sports; and
Applicable law and contractual obligations.

Section 19.02 — No Retroactive Competitive Manipulation

Rules should not be changed after competition has begun for the purpose of favoring or disadvantaging a particular competitor.

Necessary corrections involving safety, law, security, technical integrity, or unforeseen circumstances may be implemented when reasonably required.

ARTICLE XX — AMENDMENTS

Section 20.01 — Rule Updates

MPSL may amend these Standard MPS Rules as Music-Performance Sports evolves.

Material amendments should identify an updated effective date or version number.

Section 20.02 — Competition Season

Where practicable, material changes affecting competitive structure or scoring should become effective before the applicable competition begins.

ARTICLE XXI — ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

Registration for or participation in an MPS-sanctioned competition constitutes acknowledgment of the applicable MPS Rules, Competition Addendum, eligibility requirements, and participant terms where the participant has been provided appropriate notice and has agreed to those requirements.

Players are responsible for reviewing the rules governing the competition before participating.

ARTICLE XXII — CONTACT AND GOVERNING BODY

Questions regarding these Rules may be directed to:

Music-Performance Sports League, LLC
Governing Body of Music-Performance Sports
Virginia, United States

Email: info@songvssongsports.com

Website: www.songvssongsports.com

Official MPS Rules Statement

Music-Performance Sports League, LLC establishes and governs the standards, rules, scoring principles, competitive classifications, and integrity requirements for sanctioned Music-Performance Sports competition.

These Standard MPS Rules operate together with the applicable Competition Addendum, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, participant agreements, and other official MPSL policies.

Music-Performance Sports™ | Music-Sports™ | Music-Sports League™