submitting same track to multiple listings?

[Casey H]

Just in case it's not obvious to anyone, you cannot sign an exclusive library contract on a track if you already have it signed for non-exclusive deals. And conversely, you can't go out and sign an non-exclusive if you have an exclusive. Exclusive means just that! Some exclusive library contracts are exclusive only for film/TV or only as far as other music libraries which may give you freedom to pursue other types of opps. Depends on the contract.

Recently there was a big mess because some folks signed an exclusive with a Taxi client but had outstanding non-exclusives on the same track(s).

Another thing that some folks may or may not know. If you sign a song to an exclusive deal, you cannot sign the no-vocal backing track to the song to a non-exclusive deal... at least not without permission. That first exclusive covers it all-- libraries need the backing track for mixes by end users and sometimes even to place as tracks to themselves.

Casey

[davedwards]

I should be clear: when I said I've recently gotten exclusive and non-exclusive deals, they were for different songs. I didn't mean to confuse the issue.

Thanks for pointing out that distinction, Casey. It's important.

Dave

[Casey H]

Hi Dave
My post was general, not at all targeted toward you. I didn't interpret your previous post to read you were signing the same tracks to exc and non-exc... It was just additional information while on the general subject.

Best,
Casey

[davedwards]

Casey,

I wasn't sure at first if your comment was prompted by my post, but I recently had almost the exact same exchange with the non-exclusive publisher I signed with when I conflated my exclusive deal with theirs. (I can't help it - I'm excited to have signed my first two deals this month, and I have to tell everybody) So I didn't mean to get all defensive on you, just wanted to avoid confusion.
Dave

[guitarhacker]

The best policy is to treat all your songs and signings as though they are EXCLUSIVE whether they are or not.

This keeps it simple.




I have a number of tunes in several non-exclusives... I was getting started and somehow thought I was improving my chances of a cut. But once I realized the potential mess I could be creating I decided against it on all future signings.