"Exclusive rights" means having special permission or ownership to do something or use something. No one else can have the same privileges or access. Full definition
The patent system relies on what's known as the «patent bargain,» an exchange of exclusive rights for an invention in exchange for public disclosure about the invention. (eff.org)
I've written things and sometimes they get published and sometimes, 8 - 10 years later my stuff is returned but I never ever granted exclusive rights to anybody to my stuff. (nocturnal-lives.com)
You pay these fees to give public notice of your claim to exclusive rights in use of your trademark. (rocketlawyer.com)