Quote Originally Posted by MARK EG
> If its 'non exclusive' i take that as meaning i retain all right to the music..am i right? (this really is the most important thing to me)

Yeah totally. I'd never actually sign anything exclusive, but you might do an exclusive track for a friend. There's quite a few ppl on this forum who've fell into the exclusive trap as artists and it's really not worth it.
Actually, aren't some licenses worded as being 'exclusive' in the sense that they want exclusive rights to feature that track on their compilation ?

As in, if someone approaches you asking for rights to a track for a mix CD they may ask for exclusivity in certain territories (most often their 'home' territory).

This helps 'em maximise sales as it means the tracks aren't going to be on every compilation under the sun.

However, if you are going to do this then check the exclusivity period which they are asking for and you are also entitled to ask for more money as they obviously consider your track to be one of the 'selling' points.

Obviously if they have exclusive rights to use that track on their compilation in a certain territory then you're not going to be able to license it out to anyone else to a similiar compilation in the same area until the exclusivity period from the original license is over.

Exclusive deals aren't that common in techno no more, it's more for the ministry of sound compilations etc so they can say they're the only CD to have whatever the christ the 'big summer anthem' is at the time on it.

Best thing IMO is to spread them wings as wide as you can and see how far the shadow spreads.... ;-)