Question on exclusive deals

[GuitarKit]

If I get a piece signed on an exclusive library deal, I assume that even if the library has not yet '' placed'' the track yet, I can't pitch that piece anywhere else. Yes?

What about my soundcloud account? Do I need to delete or turn that track to the private setting if that track gets signed to an exclusive library?

[hummingbird]

Hi - if you sign a piece exclusively, then yes, that means you should not be pitching it anywhere else - it's already signed. However you could use it as a sample of your work for, say, people looking for custom composers. As for Soundcloud, that's probably okay but you'd want to read the fine print of your agreement. I think keeping a track on Soundcloud as a sample of your work might be ok, but YouTube may not. All just my opinion. I'm not a lawyer.

[markhimley]

+1 To what Vikki said.

I also am NOT a lawyer, but based on my experience and what I've seen from more successful members - it is not a problem to post your tracks on soundcloud even if they are signed exclusively. I've seen many veteran members post songs/instrumentals on soundcloud that I know are signed exclusively, and some even where the publisher owns the copyright.

However as Vikki said, sites like YouTube might be a problem because monetization is involved (and maybe some other factors I'm not aware of). However you may be able to work something out with your publisher. Many times in the agreement/contract there will be a section detailing how you are supposed to report any revenue that you acquire directly and how and when you need to give the publisher their half (or whatever their percentage is).

[mikehamm123]

I assume that even if the library has not yet '' placed'' the track yet, I can't pitch that piece anywhere else. Yes?

In the movie script business, this is called 'development hell'--the library has the right to sit on your piece if it wants to.

[GuitarKit]

Thanks for the feedback.
Yes, the frustrating thing I have just discovered is, I had four pieces forwarded to and Exclusive library. I haven't received any signing paperwork from them yet.
So are they or are they not going to use my pieces. In the meantime, I probably can't pitch those pieces anywhere else, so they seem to be dead in the water. Has anyone faced this problem?

[erynmichel]

Thanks for the feedback.
Yes, the frustrating thing I have just discovered is, I had four pieces forwarded to and Exclusive library. I haven't received any signing paperwork from them yet.
So are they or are they not going to use my pieces. In the meantime, I probably can't pitch those pieces anywhere else, so they seem to be dead in the water. Has anyone faced this problem?

Hi Kit—follow up question: so were they just forwarded and you haven’t received any confirmation or contact from the library? If they haven’t contacted you, you can absolutely pitch those pieces elsewhere—it’s just a gamble and a choice if two libraries want the same piece(s). That’s my understanding, but I hope others will weigh in if they’ve experienced differently, but the general wisdom seems to be to keep submitting until a contract is signed.

If you have received contact from the library, perhaps the delay is just due to the holidays. A polite follow up (only if they’ve contacted you first) would seem to be appropriate.

Bonne chance!
Eryn

[mikehamm123]

Until a deal is signed, I'm sure you can continue shopping around the tunes. At worst the library the music was forwarded might be irritated...

[GuitarKit]

Hi Eryn.
I can see that my initial question was a bit misleading. The four pieces were only forwarded to the library, but not yet signed as no contracts have been sent yet.
So they haven't contacted me at all with any contracts. I don't know who the library is because the Taxi listing just statted:

ACOUSTIC-based SINGER/SONGWRITER INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a great Music Library with a long, long list of TV, Film, and Commercial placements.

I put the question through to a Taxi staff member. They said that it is up to the Library to contact me whenever. They didn't clarify if I could keep pitching the pieces or not.

[annayarbrough]

Hi Eryn.
I can see that my initial question was a bit misleading. The four pieces were only forwarded to the library, but not yet signed as no contracts have been sent yet.
So they haven't contacted me at all with any contracts. I don't know who the library is because the Taxi listing just statted:

ACOUSTIC-based SINGER/SONGWRITER INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a great Music Library with a long, long list of TV, Film, and Commercial placements.

I put the question through to a Taxi staff member. They said that it is up to the Library to contact me whenever. They didn't clarify if I could keep pitching the pieces or not.

Pitch away. Even if you've pitched to an exclusive listing, nothing is signed and deals are rare (and much less common than forwards). If you end up signing it elsewhere and they do get back to you, you can always write them something else in the same vein. I don't think any publisher has the expectation that you'll "hold" something without a deal of some sort on the table

[erynmichel]

Pitch away. Even if you've pitched to an exclusive listing, nothing is signed and deals are rare (and much less common than forwards). If you end up signing it elsewhere and they do get back to you, you can always write them something else in the same vein. I don't think any publisher has the expectation that you'll "hold" something without a deal of some sort on the table

+1!