Choosing Your Vocal License

Options at a glance

Non-Exclusive

  • Anyone who has purchased a non-exclusive license can use the topline in multiple songs as long as those songs are materially different. You own all of your song except the vocal itself and I keep nothing unless the song becomes a hit and meets a success threshold (see below). There is no release deadline.

Exclusive

  • Only you can use the topline while your exclusive license is in force, and it is removed from sale during that period. The topline can be used in one track, including versions (remixes, VIP, etc.). You own 100% of the master and 50% of the composition. I keep 50% of the composition (melody and lyrics). You have 2 years to commercially release, with the possibility to extend, to make your exclusive license permanent.

Exclusive Buyout

  • Only you can use the topline and you may use it in as many tracks as permitted by the full agreement. The buyout is a one-time sale and transfers ownership of the topline melody, lyrics, and master recording to you. I retain no ongoing ownership or financial interest in the topline or tracks incorporating it, including songwriting, publishing, performance, or other royalties, to the extent those rights and entitlements can legally be assigned or waived or we come to a different agreement. There is no release deadline.

Non-Exclusive: the flexible, lowest-cost option

You can use the vocal in as many of your own songs as you like, for commercial or non-commercial use, forever and anywhere in the world. You don't pay royalties and I don't take a share of your songs.

The catch is that other producers can buy the same vocal, so I can't promise yours is the only song that uses it. Each song you make must add substantial original work of your own, such as the instrumental, production, or arrangement.

If your song takes off. Once one song with the vocal reaches 1,000,000 streams (counting all its versions) or earns more than US$1,000 in sync fees, I ask for 50% of the composition on that song. This applies only to money earned from that point forward, and you keep the master recording and all its income. Tell me within 14 days, and sign a split sheet within 30 days. Your license carries on as normal. If you'd rather buy out my share, we can talk about it, and the price will reflect how the song has performed.

Best for: testing ideas, releasing a lot of music, or a tighter budget, when it doesn't matter that others may use the same vocal.

Exclusive: one vocal, one song, just yours

Once you buy, I take the vocal off sale. You can use it in one song and any versions of it, such as radio edits, extended mixes, instrumentals, VIPs, and official remixes. It can't go into other songs, mashups with different compositions, or new works with changed melody or lyrics.

You own 100% of the master recording and keep all income from it. The melody and lyrics are co-owned, and I hold 50% of the composition. Within 30 days of release, send me the final title, the writers, and a signed split sheet, so we can both register our shares with the right organizations. I register mine through BMI.

The 2-year release window. To stop vocals sitting unused, your song needs to be released on a major streaming or download service within 2 years of purchase. I'll email you about 60 days before the deadline. If you tell me in writing that a release is scheduled, I'll extend it once by up to 1 year. There is also a 30-day grace period after the deadline. If the song still isn't out, the exclusive license ends, the vocal returns to me, no refund is due, and I re-list it for sale.

Best for: a song you plan to release properly, where you want the vocal to be yours alone and are comfortable sharing half the composition.

Exclusive Buyout: you own it completely

An exclusive buyout transfers ownership. You own 100% of the master recording and 100% of the melody and lyrics. I keep no financial interest of any kind, including from streams, sales, or sync, unless you and I agree to something different. There is no release deadline, and ownership is permanent.

The exclusive buyout takes effect once you've paid in full and we've both signed a written agreement, and I release the files after that. One thing to know: if I sold the vocal as a Non-Exclusive license earlier, those buyers keep their licenses. In the rare case this has happened, you will be made aware.

Best for: projects where you need clean, unshared ownership, such as label releases, sync deals, or anything where a co-owner would complicate matters.


Rules that apply to every license

  • No reselling the raw vocal. You can't share, sell, or sublicense the vocal on its own, or put it in sample packs, loop kits, or templates.

  • No AI voice cloning. You can't use the vocal to train, clone, or imitate my voice with AI tools. Ordinary mixing and mastering is fine.

  • No credit without my written permission. Don't name me in credits, titles, metadata, or marketing unless I've approved it in writing after hearing the finished song.

  • Keep your receipt. It records what you bought and which version of the Terms applies.

  • Licenses are personal. You can pass yours to a label or distributor that releases your song, or to a successor in a business sale.

  • All sales are final once files are delivered, unless the law says otherwise.

Which one should I choose?

  • Releasing a lot, or on a budget? Non-Exclusive.

  • Want one song that nobody else has, and happy to share half the songwriting? Exclusive.

  • Want to own everything and keep it simple? Exclusive Buyout.

  • Not sure or need a nuanced agreement? Email sodie@sodievox.com before you buy and tell me about your project.

This page explains each option in plain words. The legal wording is in the full Vocal Licensing Terms (https://sodievox.com/terms) and if the two ever differ, the full Terms win.