NSC rules

The Contest
The 2 Semi Finals with a maximum of 27 countries per Semi allowed to particpate. The Top 10 countries from each Semi will qualify for the Finals as well as 1 additional country (per Semi) chosen by the Rest Jury. The Finals: A GrandFinal with the Top 6 placed countries from the previous edition automatically being pre-qualified.
 * 1) The purpose of this Contest is to stimulate the output of original songs of high quality in the field of popular music, by encouraging competition among countries through the international comparison of their works.
 * 2) The Nation Song Contest takes place in two parts:
 * 1) Each Rest Jury shall consist of Players from the opposite Semi Final. (Semi 1 participants are part of the Rest Jury for Semi 2 and vice versa) The remaining six direct qualified countries will be divided between the two Semis by the host and are also eligible to have their votes added to the Rest Jury. The eleventh qualifier is the highest placed entry in the Rest Jury results not including the actual top 10 of the actual Semi Finals results.

Nations

 * 1) Anyone wishing to participate must come up with the bare minimum of a nation name and flag, although other details about the nation, for example the language or the name of the capital city, are encouraged.
 * 2) Before every edition a thread by the new host will be made asking people for confirmation of their entry - this is the time you must send your "new nation" information to the host, if you're hoping to participate for the first time. However, all nations must confirm their participation each time.
 * 3) Only one entry is allowed per computer/IP Address. If you have a family member, roommate, friend etc using the same computer and would like to participate you can share the same country as leaders and vote together.
 * 4) If a country is absent for 3 or more editions and no other territory is available for new countries, they will be erased from the map. (Please let the Mod know in advance if you will be absent for an extended period of time and the Mods may be able to approve an extension.)
 * 5) A country participating for the first time is required to vote in the Semi Final and the Final in order to maintain full country status. If they fail to vote in either of the shows they will not be able to maintain their status as a country and will be removed from the roster.
 * 6) The maximum number of countries allowed to participate is 58.

Songs

 * 1) Each country is entitled to enter just one song.
 * 2) Songs may not have taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest (or the Junior version), nor may they have taken part in a national final for the (j)ESC. Any remix or cover version of such a song is not allowed.
 * 3) Songs can be in any language.
 * 4) Instrumental songs (songs without vocals/singing) are allowed.
 * 5) There is no time limit on how long a song should be in the NSC.
 * 6) Countries may use a "national final" or an "internal selection" to choose their entries.
 * 7) Once a country has chosen their entry they need to send a private message to the current host of the show and provide them with the Song information, the YouTube link and the Flag of the country. Once received, the host is required to confirm the song.
 * 8) Only videos from http://www.youtube.com  and http://www.dailymotion.com are allowed to be submitted. All other websites are not permitted. If a song can't be found on youtube or dailymotion, please inform the host and they can assist finding someone on the forum who has the ability to upload the song.
 * 9) Songs can have been released at any time.
 * 10) Song may be covers, however if a song was chosen no other cover version will be allowed to enter a future NSC. (ex: if you pick Prince and his song "Kiss", no other artist will be allowed to enter with the same song and/or vice versa)
 * 11) An artist can only perform for one country at a time. It is not allowed for an artist to perform for two different countries during the same event. The participant announcing a song first has the right to use that artist. The same artist will be availble for any upcoming events for all participants. That also means an artist cannot participate as a solo performer & Band Member. Example: Black Eyed Peas cannot enter if Fergie already entered as a solo performer.
 * 12) Once a song has been performed it can no longer be used in any future NSC contests.

Hosting

 * 1) The right to host goes automatically to the winner of the previous edition. If for any reason the previous winner cannot or does not want to host, then the right falls to the second placed, then the third, the fourth, and so on. The host is expected to take care of the song presentation and the presentation of the results, as well as collecting the songs and votes in the first place.
 * 2) The host has to follow the rules for the NSC and cannot change or alter them without consulting a Mod. However,exceptional circumstances may occur. The host has the right to make the final decision if a Mod is not available.
 * 3) The host is required to confirm all Entries and Votes by sending a Personal Message (PM) to all participating countries. Failure to comply may jeopardize their chance to host any future games.
 * 4) The minimum duration for each edition is 3 weeks (21 days). The host has the ability to extend deadline, however it cannot be cut short under any circumstances. 1 week (7 days) to confirm your entry, 1 week (7 days) for The Semi Final Shows/including voting, 1 week (7 days) for the Final Show including voting.

Voting

 * 1) Only nations who are participating in the contest are allowed to vote.
 * 2) These nations must pm their points to the organizing nation. These points are: 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point.
 * 3) You may not reveal your points to anyone prior to the Result Show. In addition, it is not allowed to give hints or any indications on how you may have voted.
 * 4) Every participating country has to vote in the Semis and in the Finals. If you fail to vote you will lose 75% of your points of your total score.
 * 5) Finalists who do not vote in the Semis will lose their right for direct qualification and will be disqualified. Semifinalists who do not vote in the Final will have to sit out the following game as a penalty.
 * 6) It is up to every country to submit their songs and votes in a timely and proper manner. It is not the hosts responsibility to chase down members who failed to submit their votes in time or submitted incorrect votes including but not limited to voting for the same country twice or voting for a non participating country. Votes will not be counted or considered submitted past the deadline and the standard penalties shall apply.