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If I have an instrumental version of a song in a non-exclusive song library, can I pitch the vocal version to an exclusive library (and vice versa)? Or do most exclusive contracts cover the vocal and instrumental versions of a song? What about a shortened version? A remix?

I am reading through an exclusive contract I have on file and don't see a definite answer.

Has anyone made a near sound-alike of their own song that's in a library to re-pitch to other libraries?

Thanks in advance!

jnokes wrote:If I have an instrumental version of a song in a non-exclusive song library, can I pitch the vocal version to an exclusive library (and vice versa)? Or do most exclusive contracts cover the vocal and instrumental versions of a song? What about a shortened version? A remix?

I am reading through an exclusive contract I have on file and don't see a definite answer.

Has anyone made a near sound-alike of their own song that's in a library to re-pitch to other libraries?

Thanks in advance!

No, you can't especially if the exclusive is a "publishing" contract with assignment of copyright. That assignment is on the whole work and it's not separable.

And even if there is no assignment of copyright, most libraries want instrumental versions along with vocals because end users often need to mix between the two. If the exclusive library didn't ask for that up front, they still might come back and ask you in the future if a placement depends on it.

Bottom line is, exclusive is exclusive on all of it.

Best
Casey