Mystery Matchup #3 (and #4)

This is not an attended event, but more of a call for submissions. At long last, we are reviving the Mystery Matchup, where some brave artist posts a set of lyrics or a piece of music, and other participants complete the creation by putting the lyrics to music, or writing lyrics for the tune.

In this offering there are two sets of lyrics that are begging for music. Below you will find all the legal mumbo jumbo and rules, but the gist is that you submit your creation to collaboration@songwritersinseattle.com where they will be collated and anonymized before being passed on to the original submitter. That person will then review the submissions and choose a winner for each set of lyrics. Finally, with the winners permission, the music will be posted to SongwritersInSeattle.com for public consumption.

The deadline for submission is Sunday, October 5th.

It is our goal to foster creation and community, so this event is designed to bring people together anonymously, without pressure or social stigma. In this way, diverse communities can work together where they may feel awkward or embarrassed in person. We hope to establish great new connections and perhaps even unlikely creative pairings.

After All - Mystery Matchup #3

Playin’ With Fire - Mystery Meetup #4

Event Rules and Guidelines for Mystery Matchup
To ensure a fun, collaborative, and respectful environment for all participants in our Mystery Matchup event, we've outlined the following rules regarding participation, anonymity, and intellectual property (IP). By joining this event and submitting any materials (lyrics or songs), you agree to these terms. Our goal is transparency so everyone knows what to expect and what's expected of them.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the organizer before participating.

Anonymity and Identity Protection
How We Protect Identities: All submissions (lyrics and resulting songs) will be handled anonymously during the event. Lyrics will be posted without identifying information about the author. Song submissions will use pseudonyms or codes provided by the organizer, and personal details (e.g., names, emails) will only be shared with your explicit consent or as needed for event coordination (e.g., winner announcements if applicable). We will not disclose your real identity to other participants unless you choose to reveal it yourself after the event.
Your Responsibilities: Do not include any personally identifiable information in your submissions. Respect others' anonymity—do not attempt to identify or contact participants outside of the event channels without permission.
Data Handling: Any personal information collected (e.g., for RSVPs or submissions) will be used solely for this event and deleted afterward, in compliance with Meetup's privacy policies and applicable laws like GDPR or CCPA if relevant.

Intellectual Property Rights
We want to foster creativity while protecting everyone's work. Lyrics and songs created through this event involve shared elements, so clarity on rights is essential. Note that this is not legal advice—consult a lawyer for specific concerns about your creations.
Lyrics Usage and Rights: The original author of the lyrics retains full copyright ownership of their lyrics at all times. By submitting lyrics to the event, the author grants participants a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use those lyrics solely for the purpose of creating and submitting a song as part of this Mystery Matchup event. This license ends after the event deadline and any associated sharing (e.g., during the meetup discussion or playback session). Lyrics may not be used for any other purposes without the author's explicit written permission. This includes commercial use, public performance outside the event, recording for distribution, or incorporation into other works. Participants (composers) may not reproduce, distribute, or adapt the lyrics beyond the event without permission from the lyric author.
Song Copyright and Ownership: Composers (those creating music for the lyrics) own the copyright to the musical composition and any recordings they create, but this ownership applies only to the elements they contribute (e.g., melody, arrangement, production). The lyrics remain owned by the original author. Yes, you can copyright your version of the song! However, since the song incorporates someone else's lyrics, it would be considered a derivative work. To register a copyright for the full song (lyrics + music), you may need the lyric author's permission or a formal agreement. For your musical contributions alone, you can register those separately (e.g., via the U.S. Copyright Office). If you wish to use, perform, or distribute your song version after the event (e.g., on streaming platforms), you must obtain written permission from the lyric author for ongoing use of their lyrics. Without this, your use is limited to personal, non-commercial purposes.
Rights Granted to the Lyric Author: By submitting a song, composers grant the lyric author a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to listen to, review, and discuss the song within the context of this event (e.g., during the meetup). No broader rights are granted automatically. For example, the lyric author cannot use, distribute, or claim ownership of your musical composition without your explicit written permission. If the author wants to collaborate further or use your music, that would require a separate agreement between you.
Submissions and Event Sharing: All submitted songs will be shared only within the event group (e.g., via a private Meetup link or during the in-person/online gathering) for feedback and enjoyment. No public distribution will occur without all involved parties' consent. Recordings or files submitted become the property of the submitter, but by participating, you agree not to assert IP claims against the organizer for good-faith handling during the event.

General Expectations and Enforcement
Originality: All submissions must be your original work. Do not submit lyrics or music that infringe on third-party copyrights (e.g., no plagiarized content).
Deadline and Process: Lyrics will be posted as a link in the online listing and downloadable as text. Songs must be submitted by the deadline (to be announced in the event listing) via email at collaboration@songwritersinseattle.com as an MP3 or a link to a similar media type (e.g., WAV, AAC, Ogg). Late submissions may not be included.
Conduct: Be respectful in feedback. Harassment, discrimination, or IP theft will result in removal from the event and potential reporting to Meetup.
Disputes: If any IP disputes arise, participants agree to resolve them amicably among themselves. The organizer is not liable for disputes but can mediate if requested.
Changes to Rules: These rules may be updated before the event; participants will be notified via Meetup.

Additional Notes
Collaboration Agreements: We encourage participants to exchange contact info post-event if they wish to formalize a collaboration (e.g., via a co-authorship agreement). This could cover splits for any future royalties.
Public Sharing Opt-In: You may opt-in to having your songs shared more widely (e.g., on a group playlist), with clear attribution.
Accessibility: We aim to accommodate different formats (e.g., audio files) and time zones for hybrid events.
Liability: The organizer is not responsible for lost files, technical issues, or external IP claims.
Minors: Participants under 18 require parental consent for IP and anonymity purposes.
Taxes/Royalties: Winners of any prizes are responsible for tax implications. For future song earnings, consider tracking royalties via ASCAP/BMI. If you have questions or need clarification, contact the organizer via Meetup or email!