What is an exclusive license?

An exclusive license is a form of copyright protection that gives the licensee (the party given the rights) the exclusive right to use a copyrighted work for a certain period of time and in a certain way. In Washington, an exclusive license is only valid if it is in writing and signed by the copyright owner and the licensee. The license should specify what uses the licensee is allowed to make of the work and the duration of the license. Generally, an exclusive license prohibits anyone else from copying, distributing, performing, or creating derivative works from the copyrighted work without the explicit agreement of the licensee. An exclusive license also allows the licensee to sue for infringement of their license and to seek damages. An exclusive license is a powerful form of copyright protection and is often used when a business wants to secure exclusive rights to a particular work.

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