As an independent artist, you’re constantly juggling creative work with the business of your music. One area that often gets overlooked but can be a meaningful revenue stream is Neighbouring Rights.
If you’ve heard the term and wondered “what exactly are these rights?” - this guide is for you.
What Are Neighbouring Rights?
Every piece of recorded music has two separate copyrights:
1. Composition Copyright
This covers the songwriting, lyrics, melody, chords, etc.
- Typically managed by publishers (e.g., Anara Publishing)
- Royalties flow through PROs/CMOs like PRS, BMI, ASCAP
- Paid to: songwriters & publishers
2. Master Copyright (Sound Recording)
This covers the actual recording, the audio file you put on Spotify.
- Usually owned by whoever financed the recording:
- A label
- A distributor under certain deals
- Or you (in many indie cases)
Neighbouring Rights apply to this side - the master.
Why Neighbouring Rights Matter
Neighbouring Rights generate royalties when your recording is used publicly, including:
- Radio play
- TV broadcasts
- Public performances (in shops, gyms, bars)
- Certain streams and digital radio
- Use in foreign territories
These royalties are owed to:
- The master rights holder
- Featured artists
- Non-featured performers (e.g., session musicians, depending on the territory)
Even indie artists with modest radio play often miss out on hundreds — sometimes thousands — of pounds/dollars simply because they didn’t register.
How Do You Collect Neighbouring Rights?
To actually receive this money, you must register with a Neighbouring Rights collection society.
The main ones include:
UK: PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited)
- For performers, recording owners, and labels
- Free to join
- Collects worldwide via reciprocal agreements
- Takes a 7% admin fee from collected royalties
US: SoundExchange
- Focuses heavily on digital performance royalties
- Collects for sound recordings on digital radio (e.g., SiriusXM, Pandora)
- Required for US artists or any artist played on US digital radio
Other worldwide societies:
- GVL (Germany)
- ADAMI / SPEDIDAM (France)
- SENA (Netherlands)
- PPCA (Australia)
- …and many more!
Why Metadata Is Crucial
When you register tracks, you must accurately submit key metadata, including:
- ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)
- Performer names
- Master rights holder
- Release details
- Recording dates
Good metadata = getting paid
Poor metadata or missing credits is one of the biggest reasons artists lose Neighbouring Rights income.
Will My Society Collect Worldwide?
Yes, generally.
Most major societies (like PPL) have reciprocal agreements with equivalent organisations in other countries. This means:
- You do not need to join multiple societies
- Your home society can collect foreign royalties on your behalf
- Payments will arrive in their standard distribution cycles
For example, PPL distributes four times per year and collects from over 80 territories.
Always double-check your society’s coverage, some have stronger global reach than others.
A Quick Recap of Key Terms
Neighbouring Rights
Royalties owed when a sound recording is broadcast or publicly performed, paid to:
- Master rights holder
- Featured artists
- Performers
Metadata
The information that identifies your track and the people involved.
Essential for tracking plays and paying royalties.
Checklist for Independent Artists
Here’s what you should make sure you’ve done:
- Create split sheets for every track
- Register as a performer + recording rights holder
- Register all recordings with your society (PPL, SoundExchange, etc.)
- Ensure metadata is accurate (ISRCs, performer roles, contributors)
- Make sure your society collects royalties globally
- Update credits if new contributors or performers are added
Why This Matters More Than Ever
With global radio, retail playlists, broadcast sync, and digital radio growing every year, Neighbouring Rights are becoming a major income stream especially for independent artists who own their masters.
Don’t miss out on your money!
Ready to pitch your music to Spotify and Apple Music editors?
Head back to the un:hurd app to explore more tools and resources for playlist promotion.
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