The RTÉ competition rules for Eurosong 2009

All song entries must be submitted on CD and be accompanied by six written copies of the song lyrics, details of the singer(s) (including written confirmation of their agreement and availability to sing/perform the song in accordance with these rules and the ESC 2009 rules), and any suggestions for staging of the song. If it is proposed that there will be people on stage in addition to the singer e.g. dancers, this should be specified (it should be noted that RTE will have final approval over any such additional people). Submission of a video or DVD of a performance of the entry by the relevant singer/act showing proposed staging is also encouraged. Note that performers will be required at both Eurosong 2009 and ESC 2009 to perform live on stage, accompanied by a recorded backing-track which contains no vocals of any kind or any vocal imitations.
The song must be performed on a professionally recorded backing track which must be available to be used in The Late Late Eurosong Special
The singer(s) performing the song as submitted on CD/DVD must be the singer(s) that will (subject to paragraph 15 below) sing and perform the song in the Eurosong Final and the ESC 2009. Songwriters submitting entries without details of the [singer will be deemed to be incomplete entries and will not be considered for the competition.
Songs cannot exceed 3 minutes in duration.
The song (lyrics and music) must be original to, and written solely by, the songwriter(s) named in the entry. Each composer can only enter a maximum of two songs (including co-writes).
Where a singer has agreed to sing or perform on a song entry then that singer cannot submit a separate song entry of his/her own or sing or perform on any other song entry.
The song (lyrics and music) must not have been commercially released and/or publicly performed before the 1st October 2008
The lyrics and/or performance of songs must not bring the Late Late Show, the Eurovision Song Contest, the EBU or RTE into disrepute and no lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature are permitted nor will any swearing or other unacceptable language or gesture be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of songs. In addition, no commercial messages of any kind shall be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of the songs.
Each songwriter and singer and any other RTE approved additional performer must be a citizen of Ireland or alternatively have such citizenship and/or valid visas as shall allow that person to travel to and attend (and in the case of the singer(s)/performer(s) perform at) the Eurosong Final in Ireland and, if selected as the winning entry of The Late Late Show Eurosong 2009, the ESC 2009 in Russia. In the event of any issue or dispute regarding compliance of any songwriter or singer or performer with this requirement the decision of RTE shall be final.
Each performance may consist of a maximum of six people on stage.
All performers must be aged at least 16 on the day of the relevant Semi-Final of the ESC 2009. Songwriters and performers under the age of 18 on the date of entry must obtain permission from their parents/guardian before entering this competition and will provide RTE with such proof of parental/guardian consent as RTE may request.
Songwriters and performers may not discuss their entries with members of the Eurosong 2009 judging committee at any time prior to selection of the winner of The Late Late Show Eurosong 2009.
In consideration of the opportunity to enter the competition each songwriter and singer/performer agrees to grant (and to procure where necessary from any music publisher and/or record company to which they are contracted) all necessary rights, consents and waivers that will be required by the EBU under the ESC 2009 Rules including without limitation the following rights as they are defined in the ESC 2009 Rules: Broadcasting Rights, Public Performance Rights, Preview Rights, all CD DVD Compilation and Download Rights; Extract Rights; National Selection Extract Rights; Authorizations as set out in Section Six part 2) including without limitation authorization to reproduce, translate and use lyrics for informational and promotional use and for the karoake on-line competition; authorization to use, reproduce, print and publish their name, likeness, voice, photographs and biography in connection with the promotion, broadcast, and/or commercial exploitation of the ESC 2009 programmes by any and all means and in all media, whether now known or hereafter developed, for an unlimited period of time, and the agreement of the singer/performer to go on a promotion tour if they win the ESC 2009.
Each songwriter and singer/performer agrees to be available for promotional activities as may be required by RTÉ and that their performances, recordings, name, likeness, photograph, and biographical information may be used by RTÉ in connection with the Late Late Show Eurosong 2009 competition and the ESC 2009 and in any advertising and publicity relating to such events.
In the event that a singer of a song chosen as a finalist for Eurosong 2009 or as the entry to the ESC 2009 is unable to perform at Eurosong 2009 or the ESC 2009 due to illness or some other reason outside the reasonable control of the singer or the songwriter of that song then RTÉ may in RTÉ's sole discretion disqualify the song and replace it with a different entry or permit another singer to perform the song.
RTÉ shall have the right at any time to disqualify any entry where that entry or any songwriter or any performer of that entry breaches any rule of this competition and/or any rules of the ESC 2009 and in the event of disqualification prior to Eurosong 2009 of any of the six finalist entries selected for Eurosong 2009 RTÉ shall have the right to replace the disqualified entry by another entry selected by the judging panel and in the event of disqualification of the entry voted in Eurosong 2009 as the entry to ESC 2009 RTÉ shall have the right to replace that disqualified entry by the entry that came next in the voting order in Eurosong 2009 unless the disqualification is decided after the Meeting of the Heads of Delegation for ESC 2009 in which case under ESC 2009 Rules RTÉ may be prohibited from submitting a replacement entry. This rule 16 is without prejudice to the EBU's separate right to disqualify entries under the ESC 2009 Rules.
Following selection of the winning entry, RTÉ will appoint a producer/creative director and team to work with the songwriter(s) and performer(s) to mould the winning song and performance for the ESC in May 2009, it being recognised by the songwriter(s) and performer(s) that RTÉ is obliged to retain final decision and control over the arrangement, performance, staging and recording of the of the winning entry for the purposes of ESC 2009.
RTÉ's decision on all matters regarding the application of the rules of the competition will be final. These rules are governed by Irish law and the songwriter(s) and singer(s)/performers of each entry agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ireland.
Persons who are currently employed by RTÉ or persons that are currently providing their services to RTÉ for a contract period of in excess of one month (or that have done so for a contract period of in excess of one month at any time in the preceding 12 months) and their respective immediate families (i.e. husband, wife, partner, child) are excluded from performing or submitting entries in Eurosong 2009.