Here's the way the licensing works ... If you write a song, nobody can record your song before you do without your permission. But, once the song is recorded, they can get what's called a 'compulsory license', and they can record the tune, but they have to pay you royalties.
Frank ZappaHe just got in the car, but the batteries dead. So he asks to use the phone and she gives him some head.
Frank Zappa