Composing EXCLUSIVE music

[LMG]

Let's say I compose a song or a score for someone who will use it for commercial purposes (famous singer, broadway show, etc).
Is it possible to make that song/score "exclusive" to that person? With "exclusive" I mean that nobody else on Earth can commercially use that song/score.

I could promise the client not to give the song/score to anybody else. But what if someone likes the song and plays it? Is there any legal way to prevent that? So this other guy has to ask for "permission" to my client (or to me, since I will keep the rights) in order to use that music commercially? (for example, another singer that wants to sing that song).

Thank you.

[hollywoodmusic]

Yes, its called Music Licensing. You need to Copyright the song in its full project meaning, music sheets, and actual recording. After you Copyright the entire project just licensed it to the singer, as long as you hold the license and copyright ANYONE that wants to utilize the song for a commercial purposes NEEDS to ask for your consent, and pay for license and royalties.

Hope that helps
HM

[johng]

the point that you can prevent anyone using your music in connection with film without permission is correct -- they need consent for that.

However, I believe there's an exception in the USA, as far as making a cover version of a piece of music -- under a so-called compulsory license (you have to give advance notice and pay a fee and comply with other constraints), but I don't believe they can tell you "no." So if it's just a sound recording someone wants to make, I'm reasonably sure that it's hard or impossible to block someone doing it. They still can't use your recording, of course.

[Bman]

http://www.artistshousemusic.org/expert/how+do+i+record+someone+elses+song

[peter5992]

the point that you can prevent anyone using your music in connection with film without permission is correct -- they need consent for that.

However, I believe there's an exception in the USA, as far as making a cover version of a piece of music -- under a so-called compulsory license (you have to give advance notice and pay a fee and comply with other constraints), but I don't believe they can tell you "no." So if it's just a sound recording someone wants to make, I'm reasonably sure that it's hard or impossible to block someone doing it. They still can't use your recording, of course.

Correct - once it is commerciall released anyone can do a cover of the song provided they pay at least the compulsory license rate.