When managing and using your music, it’s important to know the difference between exclusive and transferrable rights. These terms affect how your music can be used and shared, and understanding them can help you make the best choices for your work.
What are Exclusive Rights in Music?
Exclusive Rights mean that someone, whether that’s you or your publishing or record company buying the license, is the only one who can use the music in a particular way. For example, if you give an exclusive license to a music publisher, they are the only ones allowed to use your song in the agreed manner during the license period. It’s ideal if you want to ensure that only one entity has control over how your music is used, which can help them fully develop and promote it without competition.
What are Transferrable Rights in music?
Transferrable Rights allow the person who holds the license to pass those rights on to someone else. For example, say a music producer gets the rights to use a track. They can transfer those rights to another producer or label if needed. This flexibility is helpful when plans or collaborations evolve, ensuring that the rights can adapt to new circumstances.
Here’s a handy chart that I made to help break down how these two things work together:
| Non-Transferrable | Transferrable | |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive | Exclusive & Non-Transferrable: Rights are granted solely to the licensee and cannot be transferred. Licensee has sole access to the rights during the term. Example: A songwriter grants an exclusive songwriting agreement to a music publisher. The publisher has sole rights to the song, and these rights cannot be transferred to anyone else. | Exclusive & Transferrable: Rights are granted only to the licensee, but they can transfer these rights to another party. Example: A music producer is given exclusive rights to a track for an album. The producer can transfer these exclusive rights to another producer or label if needed. |
| Non-Exclusive | Non-Exclusive & Non-Transferrable: Rights are granted to multiple licensees and cannot be transferred. Each licensee has access to the same rights.
Example: A songwriter licenses a beat to multiple artists for their own songs. The licensing agreement allows all artists to use the beat, but the rights cannot be transferred to another party. | Non-Exclusive & Transferrable: Rights can be held by multiple licensees and can also be transferred to other parties.
Example: A producer licenses a set of drum loops to multiple artists for their tracks. Each artist can use the loops and has the option to transfer their rights to another producer or artist if they choose. |
Not that I want to complicate things any further, but just keep in mind that when it comes to transferability, you can have some rights be partially transferrable. For example, let’s start with the face that there are two sides of the pie: the music (recordings) and the business (the publishing). As an artist, maybe you have control in the art of making the song, but you may not have any say in how and how and where it gets used or even make copies of that recording (the publishing). This is where working with – or becoming – a One-Stop Shop can be so helpful for your career.
What is a One-Stop Shop?
A one-stop shop offers a complete range of licensing options and rights management all in one place. For artists, songwriters, and producers, this means you can get all the necessary rights—like mechanical and synchronization—without having to negotiate with multiple parties. It simplifies the process and makes managing your music easier.
Working with me provides this one-stop shop experience. As a music publisher, I make it simple for you to manage your music. Even though I might hold onto some publishing rights, you won’t need to seek my approval for every single use of your song. I trust you to make the right choices already laid out within the Terms of Service. This way, you can focus more on your creativity and less on legalities, knowing that your rights are handled efficiently and transparently. Ready to get started? Start browsing my song catalog today!
And if you ever need my help, I’m only a call away. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more information on how these rights can work for you. I’m here to help you get the most from your music and ensure that the licensing process is smooth, beneficial, legal, and most of all, rewarding!
