Official MP3 Release Rules 4.0
_______________________________________________________________
1. No Dupes !
Complete albums/releases are checked, not single tracks. So a
release is not a dupe if it has different or more tracks.
Exceptions:
1.1. It's also a dupe if the complete release is included in a
previous one. For example CDM is released, now someone releases
the CDS and all tracks of the CDS were already included on the
CDM (exactly the same tracks).
1.2. You are allowed to create a duplicate release of a release that
has a source of lower quality (a different source!).
Example: if Vinyl is out then a CD-release is allowed.
For online bought MP3s (-WEB-) we assume the best source quality
(CDDA or better).
1.3. All MIXED CDs should be ripped as one track supplied with a
.cue. However if they're not, another group can release it this
way afterwards, with neither release getting nuked because of
the other.
1.4. It is allowed to release a physical medium version after a WEB
or FLASH version. Note that this includes physical medium
releases even when they are also available to download for free
online.
Proofing rule (see section 19) always applies to physical medium.
1.5. If an unmixed version of a release is available in webshops, it
is allowed for both mixed physical and unmixed WEB versions to
be released.
For all LIVE sources:
+ If a show has already been released (e.g. another name, but the
mix is the same), no dupe of that same show is allowed. If the
show is included in another release (for example, as a guest
mix), then it is not allowed either.
+ If a show, containing a guest mix, is a partial dupe (either the
regular part of the show, or the guest mix), it is allowed to
release them both as a set. However, it is encouraged to release
only the new part if the other part is available in equal or
better quality, denoting in the nfo why the other part was omitted.
+ If a show contains the broadcast of a commercially released CD,
it may not be released if the CD has already been released.
Note: if you want to release an import-album or some "extended
edition" then check rule 7 as well !
2. An SFV and NFO file must be included in every release.
All releases from a physical medium must also include a JPG proof -
see rule 19. CUE, M3U and additional JPG files (scans) are optional.
If you release a CUE file for multitrack mp3s then the CUE file must
include artist and tracknames if they are available on the cover or
inlay. If you want to release additional material (Videos, Lyrics,
...) from the source medium then you must release that separately
with dirname tag -EXTRAS-.
3. Directoryname must at least contain:
3.1. Artist Name - Title - Published Year (decimal) - Group name
(extra info is allowed of course)
3.2. All bootleg releases must have the word BOOTLEG in dirname.
(check bootleg rule 14)
3.3. If you release magazine CDs then you must tag them as -MAG-.
Don't tag them -PROMO-, -ADVANCE-, etc.
3.4. The directory name of an INTERNAL release must end with _INT.
Example: Someone_Something-2007-GROUP_INT
3.5. For all LIVE sources:
It is not necessary to include the name of the station the show
is broadcasted on (if it is not included in the directory name,
it is strongly encouraged to include it in the nfo instead). The
date must be the date of the broadcast. Both USA (-MM/DD-) and
EU (-DD/MM-) date format is allowed.
3.6. Multi-disc releases must have a multi-disc source tag. (-2CD-,
-3DVD-, ...)
3.7. If you use "various artists" as artistname then you must use
"VA" in releasedir.
Example: VA-Some_Cool_Party_Mix-2CD-2019-GROUP
3.8. To tag it as original soundtrack (OST) use an additional -OST-
tag (after title).
"OST" as artist in releasedir is not allowed.
Example: VA-Some_Cool_Movie-OST-WEB-2019-GROUP
3.9. Releases from source -WEB- need an additional -SINGLE- tag
(after title) if they have only one track.
Exception: Single-file WEB releases that contain more than one
tracks or parts, or are longer than 25 minutes do not require
the -SINGLE- tag.
Exception:
If a Vinyl/CD has no title then it's allowed to replace the title by
labelname+catnumber (both!). If there is only one artist on the
Vinyl/CD then you must add the artistname.
4. Filename must at least contain:
Track Number - Song Title
If it's an album with different artists (one artist per track) then
you must add the artist name as well ("VA-tracks" like mixes don't
need artistnames).
The song title for the filename must include the full title as it's
written on the cover/CD/inlay with all additional infos like
remixed/featured stuff as long as it doesn't exceed the 128 char limit.
Filenames should be unique to the best of your knowledge. Especially
if you're doing a Repack, Rerip or Proper.
Exception:
If no tracknames are supplied by the source (CD, Vinyl, ...) then
you *must* provide proof that these tracks have no names. Either by
a scan of the original cover of the record company/label (no
selfmade cdr or bootleg covers) or a link to an official or trusted
webpage with proofs. If these "untitled tracks" are part of a big
mix (no silence between the "tracks") then it's considered as one
track and you must rip it as one mp3/cue and give this track same
name as the "album".
5. Files/directories must only contain characters a-z A-Z 0-9 _ . - ()
This is to avoid problems with windows/linux-filesystem and ftp-servers.
6. Self-made releases
6.1. Self-made compilations are not allowed !
A self-made compilation is when you select tracks from other
sources, put them together and release that as something new.
6.2. A self-made MIX or completely self-made music is not allowed
either. If you are releasing self-made stuff then that must be
tagged as internal.
7. Bonus Tracks / Bonus Discs / Boxsets
7.1. The entire Medium (CD, Vinyl, ...). must be released (not
individual tracks). This means that even if there is only one
additional (bonus) or otherwise previously unreleased different
track, you must still release the whole medium.
Note that just different track length does not automatically
mean it's a different track, if the only difference in audio is
varying length of silence at the beginning or end of a track.
7.2. It is NOT allowed to re-release a new edition of a retail album
if the different/extra/bonus tracks are already included in one
previous release. For example, USA album is released and four
months later Japanese version is released containing simply a
remix from an old CDM/CDS release as a bonus track, it would not
be considered new material and then would not be allowed to
release as a complete release. Note this does not apply to
tracks from an old compilation of Various Artists.
7.3. If a boxset contains several sources (e.g. Vinyl+CD) then those
disc(s) must be released seperately (so there's only one source
per release).
7.4. Boxsets with different artists must be released together if they
are same source format (e.g. all CDDA).
7.5. It is allowed to release only part of a boxset (discs, not
individual tracks) if that part is available separately on
another medium (e.g. WEB). If you do that you MUST add a proof
URL (to that other medium release, WEB in previous example) to
your NFO file.
7.6. For DVD(A) releases check Rule 10.
8. Current maximum directory/filename-length is 128 characters
Exception: Dirfixes that reach the limit by adding "-DIRFIX-"
9. No fake-releases
It's a fake release when artist, title, group or source is incorrect
(different).
examples:
- Some_Artist-Crappy_Music-2004-GRP not released by GRP
- Another_Artist-Lots_of_Noise-CDM-2004-GRP was ripped from TV or
downloaded from a paysite
- Madonna-Something_New-2004-GRP really containing some tracks by
Marilyn Manson
10. DVD/DVDA Ripping
A DVD/DVDA release must contain all music tracks. Additional tracks
(interviews etc.) are optional. If those extra tracks are not
included then a proper (with ALL tracks) or an additional release
(extra tracks only) is not allowed.
If tracks are available in several audio formats then you must use
the "best" version.
Priority is:
- PCM stereo (doesn't matter if DVDA or CDDA quality)
- PCM 3+ channels
- AC3 (dolby digital) stereo or DTS stereo
- AC3 (dolby digital) 3+ channels or DTS 3+ channels
- MPG
Examples:
- DVD contains AC3 5.1 and AC3 2.0 => you must rip the AC3 2.0 tracks
- DVD contains PCM and AC3 2.0 => you must rip the PCM tracks
- DVD contains MPG and AC3 2.0 => you must rip the AC3 2.0 version
Normalizing the sound volume is allowed but optional.
11. Encoding Quality
11.1. For releases where the source is MP3 file(s) (WEB,FLASH,MP3CD):
VBR (all combinations, but no maximum bitrate limit) and CBR
with following bitrates is allowed:
-WEB- 320 kbit only
-MP3CD- music: 192-320 kbit (you must choose the highest bitrate
available)
-MP3CD- audiobook: ALL bitrates
-FLASH- 192-320 kbit (you must choose the highest bitrate
available)
Release the MP3 unmodifed as you downloaded/copied it. It is NOT
allowed to re-encode!
Adding/changing ID3 or other tags is allowed.
If the FLASH medium contains both WAV and MP3 then you must
choose WAV.
11.2. For ALL sources that need encoding (CD, VINYL, DVD, BLU-RAY,
WEB-WAV, SBD, CABLE, SAT, LINE, etc.):
You must use LAME 3.100 with preset V0 ("-V0") without any
additional switches that would affect the mp3 quality.
Note: from 2019-03-15 00:00:00 to 2019-04-14 23:59:59 it is
allowed to use either LAME 3.98.4 or LAME 3.100.
11.3. The sampling rate must be either 44.1khz or 48khz. 32khz is not
allowed. Downsampling to 44.1 or 48khz is allowed (if source is
better), upsampling to 44.1 or 48khz is not allowed.
11.4. For all LIVE sources: Straight-to-mp3 encoding is allowed, but
discouraged. The header of the mp3 file must be correct at all
times.
11.5. On rare occasion, there may be defects in the actual
pressing/mastering/recording/etc. in a given audio source (ie.
skips, glitches, etc).
If these audio defects are identified beforehand in initial nfo
or in a later nfofix, then a release cannot be considered
invalid until there is a valid one pred. (ie; proper release
clean of audio defects)
12. Promos
If a release is considered not to be complete version or include all
tracks, then it must be labeled as a promo and can be duped by any
legitimate retail release that DOES contain all tracks. The
legitimate release can be identified by the CAT number, or more
suitable proof.
Promos do not have to contain track listings, they are promotional
material, they are not considered legitimate releases, and are still
governed by quality rules.
If you release a promo when the retail is already out then you must
provide proof that this promo is real to make sure this is not a
selfmade "promo".
13. Re-encodes are not allowed.
Exception: releases of following sources are currently allowed if
they are tagged correctly:
DVD, DAB, DVBC/DVBS/DVBT/SAT/CABLE (compressed digital
tv/radio sat,cable,terrestrial), MD (live)
14. All bootleg releases must have the word BOOTLEG in dirname
A bootleg recording is a CD/Vinyl/DVD that was not officially
released by the person/company owning the rights to do that (for
example streetmixes, pirate live CDs, etc).
Because very often it's not 100% clear if something is bootleg there
are conditions when we assume something is or isn't bootleg. This is
not a definition of "bootleg" and if a condition is not true then it
does not mean the opposite is true. This only helps nukers and
groups to decide if a bootleg tag is needed and hopefully leads to
more fair nuking.
conditions for:
[records done completely by the artist] (no samples from other artists)
It's bootleg if ...
- there are no signs that the label really released this
- the "label" has no connection to the artist
(independent releases (no label, own label) are allowed and don't
need a bootleg tag)
even if the conditions above are true it is NOT bootleg if:
- the record is available at at least 3 major retail shops
conditions for:
[mixes] (samples of other artists included)
It's not bootleg if ...
- the record is available at at least 3 major retail shops
- the label exists and lists the record and the label never released
any bootlegs and released stuff that was available at major retail shops
- the artist or label of the samples confirms this release is valid
(on their webpage or some other trusted place)
"major retail shops" currently are:
www.amazon.com (.de, .fr ...)
www.bestbuy.com
www.walmart.com
www.cduniverse.com
www.sonymusicstore.com
www.juno.co.uk
www.deejay.de
www.ukdancerecords.com
www.decks.de
www.4djsonly.com
The shop itself must sell the record (no private sellers).
15. SOURCE
All tracks of a release must be from same source and have same
quality/cbr-bitrate/vbr-setting/encoder/setting (Exception: FLASH
releases). Taking tracks from other scene releases or internal group
releases of other groups is strictly forbidden.
If the source is not a pressed CDDA then the directory name needs a
valid source tag. Valid tags are listed below.
15.1 =RETAIL SOURCES=
[CD SINGLE] (pressed CDDA)
dirtag needed: -CDS- or -CDM-
[CD ALBUM] (pressed CDDA)
dirtag needed: none
dirtag suggested: -CD- or -CDA- (-2CDA- -3CDA- etc.)
[CD OTHER] (pressed CDDA)
dirtag needed: none
dirtag suggested: -CD- (-2CD- -3CD- etc.), -CDEP-
[VINYL SINGLE]
dirtag needed: -VLS- or -VINYL- (-2VLS- -3VLS- etc.)
dirtag suggested: -VLS-
[VINYL ALBUM]
dirtag needed: -LP- or -VINYL- (-2LP- -3LP etc.)
dirtag suggested: -LP-
[VINYL OTHER]
dirtag needed: -VINYL- (-2VINYL- -3VINYL- etc.)
[DVD] (pressed video DVD)
dirtag needed: -DVD- (-2DVD- -3DVD- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (AC3, PCM, MPG, DTS),
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[DVD SINGLE] (pressed video DVD)]
dirtag needed: -DVDS- or -DVD-
dirtag suggested: -DVDS-
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (AC3, PCM, MPG, DTS),
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[DVDA] (PCM data of a pressed DVDA, not audio of a video DVD!)
dirtag needed: -DVDA- (-2DVDA- -3DVDA- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[SACD]
dirtag needed: -SACD- (-2SACD- -3SACD- etc.)
[HD DVD] (pressed)
dirtag needed: -HDDVD- (-2HDDVD- -3HDDVD- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (AC3, DD+, PCM, MPG, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD)
- bitrate of source (448kbps, 640kbps, 768kbps, 1536kbps...)
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[BLU-RAY DISC] (pressed)
dirtag needed: -BD- (-2BD- -3BD- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (AC3, DD+, PCM, MPG, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD)
- bitrate of source (448kbps, 640kbps, 768kbps, 1536kbps...)
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[ANALOG TAPE]
dirtag needed: -TAPE- (-2TAPE- -3TAPE- etc.)
[FLASH medium] (SlotMusic, CompactStick, ...)
dirtag needed: -FLASH-
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (MP3, PCM (WAV), ...)
- proof photo of medium+cover
15.2 =DIGITAL DOWNLOADS=
[WEB] - audio files legally available on the net and not free
dirtag needed: -WEB-
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (MP3, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, see next NOTE below),
- bitrate of source file (if not lossless source),
- FULL URL to the release on some shop where it's available in that format
(CBR/VBR/WAV/lossless codec)
[WEB] - audio files available only at services appointed by the label.
audio files available only with Digital Download Cards/Code access, email or
any other private links.
dirtag needed: -WEB-
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (MP3, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, see next NOTE below),
- bitrate of source file (if not lossless source),
- camera picture required from the physical release that includes the
singular digital download - rule 19.
NOTE: common lossless compression sources are WAV, PCM, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, APE.
Lossless means that the de-compressed audio is exactly the same
bytes as the original.
15.3 =LIVE SOURCES=
[ANALOG RADIO] (terrestrial)
dirtag needed: -FM-
[ANALOG OR DIGITAL CABLE]
dirtag needed: -CABLE-
[ANALOG OR DIGITAL SAT]
dirtag needed: -SAT-
[DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCAST SAT]
dirtag needed: -DVBS-
[DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCAST CABLE]
dirtag needed: -DVBC-
[DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCAST TERRESTRIAL]
dirtag needed: -DVBT-
[DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCAST]
dirtag needed: -DAB-
[MD] (MiniDisc)
dirtag needed: -MD-
[direct live recording from the audience]
dirtag needed: -AUD-
[direct recording by the ripper from soundboard/mixer through the
LINE-in interface]
dirtag needed: -LINE-
[MP3 FILE supplied by a radio station or DJ] (and not recorded from
a webstream)
dirtag needed: -SBD-
[WEBSTREAM] (not allowed, so must be released internally)
dirtag needed: -STREAM-
15.4 =OTHER SOURCES=
[CDR] (small label/artist releasing CDDA on CDR or LIVE set supplied
on CDR)
dirtag needed: -CDR- (-2CDR- -3CDR- etc.)
[DVDR] (small label/artist releasing on DVDR)
dirtag needed: -DVDR- (-2DVDR- -3DVDR- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (AC3, PCM, MPG, DTS),
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[HD DVD RECORDABLE]
dirtag needed: -HDDVDR- (-2HDDVDR- -3HDDVDR- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (AC3, DD+, PCM, MPG, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD)
- bitrate of source (448kbps, 640kbps, 768kbps, 1536kbps...)
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[BLU-RAY DISC RECORDABLE]
dirtag needed: -BDR- (-2BDR- -3BDR- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- codec of source (AC3, DD+, PCM, MPG, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD)
- bitrate of source (448kbps, 640kbps, 768kbps, 1536kbps...)
- number of channels of source (stereo, 5.1, ...)
[DAT TAPE]
dirtag needed: -DAT- (-2DAT- -3DAT- etc.)
[MP3CD] (mp3 files on a data-CD, legally available and not free)
dirtag needed: -MP3CD- (-2MP3CD- -3MP3CD- etc.)
extra nfo info needed:
- proof photo of medium+cover
- proof URL to artist, label or shop where it's available
[UNKNOWN]
dirtag needed: -BOOTLEG-
All other "sources" are invalid source tags (-LIVE- , -EP-, ...).
Which means you need a second tag for the source if you use those
tags (except for CDs which don't need a source tag).
A SBD release is not allowed if it could be a re-encode/repack of
the same show streamed or downloaded free from inet. If a free
broadcast or download is/was available with 160kbit CBR or better
then it's not allowed to do a SBD release.
16. Fixes
16.1. Trackfixes / ID3TAG-fixes
Trackfixes and ID3TAG-fixes are not allowed.
If you want to fix a release because one or more tracks are
damaged or tagged incorrectly then you must release a REPACK to
fix it.
16.2. Dirname
If you release a dirfix then the dirname of the problematic
release must be listed in your NFO file.
If a release gets nuked for BAD DIRNAME then the releasegroup
has 72 hours to release a dirfix. If they don't do it within the
72 hours then any other group is allowed to release it.
The 72 hours start when the release gets nuked.
16.3. Prooffixes
If you fail to add scans/photos you have 24 hours AFTER PRE to
release a Prooffix.
If a provided proof was judged inadequate and nuked, you have 24
hours AFTER NUKE to release a prooffix.
Before, during and after this 24 hours grace period, any other
group is allowed to release a PROPER with scans/photos even if
the mp3 content is 100% identical.
17. ID3 Tags
All mp3 files need an ID3 v1.1 and ID3 v2 tag. This tag must include
Artist, Title and Album (see Note #3). The fields Year, Genre and
Tracknumber must be present, but a release can not be nuked simply
because they're incorrect.
18. LIVE release quality
18.1. The set must be complete. This means that every part of the show
must be released, and the beginning and end must be included in
their entirety. A set may not miss more than 1 minute from begin
or end.
18.2. All commercials must be edited out.
18.3. DJ talk can be included to a certain extent: track announcements
and short lines from the DJ should not be removed; interviews
and other long talk should be removed (or included in a separate
file if it's special).
18.4. It is encouraged to fade-in and fade-out the set. However, lack
of fades constitutes no proper reason.
19. Scans/Photos
19.1. All releases from physical sources must always include proof.
19.2. Proof means a good quality scan or photo of the physical medium
together with the cover or a booklet page so the proof can be
identified as the release in question. If the medium or
cover/booklet contain anything that may expose your identity,
then that part of the image can be blurred or blackened.
Additional scans may be added but these DO NOT count as
sufficient proof!
For bundled versions of two or more sources, it is allowed to
use cover and medium of these sources as long as it was
distributed as a bundle and not separately. (examples: 1 - DVD
cover format with CD. 2 - Vinyl cover format with CD). For
multi-disc sets, all medium of same source must be together with
the cover or a booklet page so the proof can be identified as
the release in question. Make your proof as close as possible to
the included examples.
19.3. A note with the group name on the proof is optional except for
releases without cover - rule 19.6.
19.4. Proof resolution must be 640x480/480x640 pixels or higher in
standard JPEG format. Maximum filesize for the JPG file is 5mb
(5242880 bytes).
19.5. We STRONGLY recommend removal of all Exif data! Uniquely
identifying information such as camera serial number and GPS
coordinates can pose a security threat if not removed. Use tools
such as jhead, PureJPG or EXIFPurge to remove the Exif data.
19.6. Whitelabel, test presses and promo releases officialy
distributed without cover/case/artwork cover requires note with
group name over the medium.
20. FLASH medium ripping
20.1. A FLASH release must contain all music tracks. For additional
stuff (videos, pictures etc.) see rule 2.
20.2. If the FLASH medium contains WAV files you must encode them with
scene standards.
20.3. If the FLASH medium contains multiple formats (e.g. 10 tracks
WAV and a DJ MIX MP3) it is allowed to release it with mixed
VBR/CBR and multiple encoders.
21. High Definition Ripping
21.1. A HD DVD/BLU-RAY release must contain complete music track from
concert. Additional tracks (interviews, videos, bonus etc.) are
optional.
If those extra tracks are not included then a proper (with ALL
tracks) or an additional release (extra tracks only) is not
allowed.
21.2. HD DVD and BLU-RAY video clip releases should be ripped as multi
track release keeping original tracklist (not .m2ts sequence).
21.3. If tracks are available in several audio formats then you must
use the highest bitrate lossless source track. DTS core must be
extracted from a DTS HR/HD MA track (if that is the source in use).
21.4. Multi channel audio must be downmixed to stereo 2 channels.
21.5. Downsampling to 44.1 or 48khz is allowed (if source is better),
upsampling to 44.1 or 48khz is not allowed.
21.6. Normalizing the sound volume is allowed but optional.
21.7. CUE file made from source chapters should always be included
with final release package.
21.8. HD DVD/BLU-RAY release is NOT allowed if retail CD version with
same tracks has been released already.
22. Security
22.1. URL shorteners (like tinyurl or goo.gl) are not allowed ANYWHERE
in the release.
Do NOT use them in NFO, ID3-tag or anywhere else!
Notes:
1. The Year in dirname is not the year when you released it but when
the record company/artist published it. It MUST be correct. If it's
not possible to find the correct year use "x"s (e.g. "-199x-").
2. If a release labeled as "advance" is identical to a retail version,
then it is not allowed to be duped and it counts as a retail for ALL
rules. If a retail version is different then it's allowed to be
released of course.
3. Artist and Title in directoryname MUST both be correct. However
incorrectly converted foreign characters are tolerated. Typos in
trackname and/or ID3-tag are tolerated if it is still readable and
either artist or title is 100% correct.
4. The audio of a normal video DVD is NOT DVDA ! The audio of a DVD
usually is MP2/AC3/DTS compressed (lossy) while the audio of a real
DVDA is high quality PCM (lossless, e.g. 24bit/192khz). Tagging a
normal DVD release as -DVDA- will get nuked.
change-log:
2007-01-15 first version (v1.0)
2007-06-01 rule 1: live sources addition
2007-06-01 1.4 added (CD after WEB allowed)
2007-06-01 3.4 added (INT tagging)
2007-06-01 3.5 added (live sources)
2007-06-01 rule 4 addition (remix info in filenames)
2007-06-01 rule 7 reworded to make clear it's for promos/advances too
and to allow full re-releases within 3 months more than 30% is new.
2007-06-01 rule 11 addition: best CBR must be released for WEB releases
2007-06-01 11.3 added (minimum sampling rate)
2007-06-01 11.4 added + rewordings for live sources
2007-06-01 rule 13 adjusted for live sources
2007-06-01 rule 15 reworded to forbid different encoders in one release
2007-06-01 rule 15 new sources HD DVD and BLU-RAY added
2007-06-01 rule 15 "CDDA" added to all CD-sources
2007-06-01 rule 15 all live sources adjusted, "SBD" rips limited
2007-06-01 rule 18 added (LIVE release quality)
2009-09-01 rule 1.4 CD after FLASH allowed
2009-09-01 rule 2 addition (additional material must be released
separately with tag -EXTRAS-)
2009-09-01 rule 6.2 reworded to forbid homemade releases
2009-09-01 rule 11 lame 3.90.3 removed
2009-09-01 rule 12 last paragraph moved to rule 20
2009-09-01 rule 15 (FREE MP3s) addition (physical retail release allowed
even if free version available) (rule removed on 2011-04-15)
2009-09-01 rule 15 source AUD re-added and HOMEMADE source removed
2009-09-01 16.2 added (Dirname/ID3 Fixes)
2009-09-01 rule 17 addition (ID3 v2)
2009-09-01 19 added (Scans/Photos)
2009-09-01 20 added (FLASH medium ripping)
2011-04-15 15 removed because it was obsolete + renumbered the following rules
2011-04-15 rule 2 reworded to include .JPG files
2011-04-15 rule 11.2 reworded to make it more clear + lame version
updated to 3.98.4 and V0
2011-04-15 rule 15 addition (needed extra NFO info for HD releases)
2011-04-15 rule 16.3 added (Prooffixes)
2011-04-15 rule 19 (Scans/Photos) completely redone (All releases from
physical sources must always include proof.)
2011-04-15 21 added (High Definition ripping)
2014-01-15 rule 1.4 physical medium sources after digital downloads releases.
2014-01-15 rule 1.5 Cleared out what happens with mixed/unmixed CD vs WEB.
2014-01-15 rule 7 New title + renumbered.
2014-01-15 rule 7.1 complete releases allowed
2014-01-15 rule 7.3 digital download -BONUS_TRACKS- releases.
2014-01-15 rule 11.1 same encoder for digital downloads.
2014-01-15 rule 11.5 added.
2014-01-15 rule 15 renumbered + additional web sources.
2014-01-15 rule 16.3 b) added.
2014-01-15 rule 19.2 adjusted for multiple source in same release and
multi-disc releases.
2014-01-15 rule 19.3 adjusted for releases without cover.
2014-01-15 rule 19.6 added.
2019-03-15 rule 3.6 added (multi-disc releases must have a multi-disc
tag in releasename)
2019-03-15 rule 3.7 added (VA tagging)
2019-03-15 rule 3.8 added (OST tagging)
2019-03-15 rule 3.9 added (-SINGLE- tag for WEB rels)
2019-03-15 rule 7.3 removed (BONUS_TRACKS tag)
2019-03-15 new rule 7.3-7.5 added (how to handle boxsets) -> rule 7 renumbered
2019-03-15 rule 11.1 updated (WEB cbr bitrates below 320kbit are no
longer allowed, added MP3CD)
2019-03-15 rule 11.2 updated (LAME version changed to 3.100
(starting 2019-04-15))
2019-03-15 rule 15.2 updated (FULL URL for WEB rels needed)
2019-03-15 rule 15.3 updated - source CABLE changed to digital+analog
2019-03-15 rule 15.4 updated (MP3CD added)
2019-03-15 rule 16.1/16.2 updated (trackfixes and ID3fixes no longer allowed)
2019-03-15 rule 19.4 updated (size limit for proof pics: 5mb)
2019-03-15 rule 21.8 removed -> rule 21 renumbered
2019-03-15 rule 22 added (URL shorteners forbidden)
2019-03-15 note 1 updated (year must be correct)
2019-03-15 note 3 updated (typos in artist/title of releasedir are no
longer tolerated)
2019-03-15 rewordings for rules 1.2, 1.3, 4, 7.1, 12, 15, 16.3, 17,
19.5, 21.4 and Note 2
V4.0 active since 2019-03-15, signed by:
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ERP FALCON FANG FATHEAD FiH FKK FTD FWYH GCP gEm gF GRAVEWISH hbZ HQEM iTS
iUKoO JAH jAZzMan JRO JRP k4 KLV MARR mbs MOD MOHAWK NOiR OND PBS PMS PsyCZ
r35 RTB SHELTER SHGZ SNOOK TR U235 UBE UKW UPE USR UVU VULGAR WHOA ZzZz