Neighboring Rights Explained
The royalties you're probably missing if you're a performer.
What Neighboring Rights Are
Neighboring rights are royalties paid when your sound recording is broadcast on radio, TV, or certain streaming services. Unlike mechanical and performance royalties tied to songwriting, neighboring rights compensate the artists and labels who actually performed and produced the recording. Most musicians never claim them—and lose thousands as a result.
Performers vs Composers
Performers earn neighboring rights when their recording plays on broadcast media. This includes session musicians, featured artists, and producers credited on the track.
Composers earn performance royalties through PROs like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
A single song can generate both types of royalties for different people. You might earn neighboring rights as a performer while the songwriter earns performance royalties.
Collection Societies
SoundExchange (United States): Collects and distributes neighboring rights from satellite radio, internet radio, and certain digital services. Registration is free.
Other territories: Each country has its own society—PPL in the UK, SACEM in France, APRA in Australia. International agreements allow reciprocal collection.
Most societies require formal registration. SoundExchange works backward—it collects first, then matches unclaimed royalties to registered members.
International Collection
Register with your home country's collecting society, then reciprocal agreements distribute royalties internationally. A song playing on BBC Radio in the UK triggers claims through both SoundExchange (representing US performers) and the UK's PPL.
Action steps: Register with SoundExchange immediately. Then research your country's society and join. Provide ISRC codes for all recordings to ensure accurate matching.