Maximize Your Earnings with Neighboring Rights Royalties
Neighboring rights protect the interests of those who contribute to the performance, production, and dissemination of sound recordings. Join MCSN to Protect Your Music, Performances, and Recordings.
The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) is the only approved Collecting Management Organization (CMO) by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to License Music Users and collect royalties for Musical Works and Sound Recordings on behalf of Music Creators (Composers, Songwriters, Performers, Producers, Publishers, Record Label, and other Rights Owners).
At MCSN, we play a vital role in protecting and monetizing the rights of music producers. We collect neighboring rights royalties on behalf of our members and distribute them accordingly.
Affiliating yourself with MCSN and submitting your works with us allows you to receive the applicable Royalties for the use of your music in public.
Understanding Neighboring Rights
Neighboring rights are a set of intellectual property rights granted to performers and producers of sound recordings. These rights are distinct from copyright, which protects the underlying musical composition.
Essentially, neighboring rights ensure that performers and producers are compensated when their recordings are broadcast on radio or television, or played in public places like restaurants, shops, or clubs.
In Nigeria, neighboring rights are governed by the Copyright Act and provide exclusive rights and protections to performers, record labels, and rights owners. They grant these stakeholders control over the use of their recorded performances, sound recordings, and compositions, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their contributions.
Neighboring rights serve as a means to recognize and reward the creative efforts of performers, protect the investments made by record labels, and safeguard the intellectual property of rights owners. They create a framework that enables stakeholders to license their works, collect royalties, and have a say in how their music is used and monetized.
The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) is the only approved Collecting Management Organization (CMO) by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to License Music Users and collect royalties for Musical Works and Sound Recordings on behalf of Music Creators (Composers, Songwriters, Performers, Producers, Publishers, Record Label, and other Rights Owners).
We collect neighboring rights royalties on behalf of our members and distribute them accordingly.
Affiliating yourself with MCSN and submitting your works with us allows you to receive the applicable Royalties for the use of your music in public.
Neighbouring Rights Vs. Performance Rights
Neighboring rights are similar to performance rights in music publishing. The reason is, both generate royalties through public performances and broadcasts of music. However, there are differences:
- Neighboring rights generate royalties from the master sound recording. The master owner and performing artists own the rights to the master recording. Also, collection societies collect these royalties.
- Performance rights generate royalties from the musical composition. Publishers and composers/songwriters own the rights to the composition. Also, Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) collect these royalties.
Neighboring rights are still considered a performance of the sound recording; however, to avoid confusion with the performance right associated with the underlying composition, the music industry calls it “neighboring rights” to distinguish between the two. The right to collect on the public performance of sound recordings (“neighboring rights”) is also sometimes called “related rights” because the right is related to the performance right for underlying compositions.
To summarize: Where public performances compensate the songwriter or music publisher when their song is broadcasted publicly, neighboring rights compensate the recording artist or record label associated with the sound recording of the song.
Importance of Neighboring Rights for Performers, Producers, Record labels, and other Rights owners
What is Protected by Neighboring Rights?
Neighboring rights cover various types of performances that are protected under intellectual property laws. In the context of neighboring rights, the following examples of performances are typically covered:
- Musical Performances: This includes performances by singers, musicians, bands, and orchestras. It encompasses vocal performances, instrumental performances, and any live or recorded performances of musical works.
- Spoken Word Performances: Performances involving spoken word, such as poetry recitals, storytelling, or spoken word recordings.
- DJ Performances: Performances by DJs and turntablists who create and mix music sets or playlists for live audiences or recordings.
- Voice-over Performances: Performances by voice actors in dubbing, narration, commercials, video games, animated films, and other voice-over work.
- Sound Effects Performances: Performances involving the creation or manipulation of sound effects for audiovisual works, including films, TV shows, and video games.
It’s important to note that neighboring rights protect the performances themselves, irrespective of the medium in which they are fixed, such as sound recordings or audiovisual works. These rights ensure that performers have control over the use, reproduction, distribution, and public performance of their recorded performances, and they are entitled to fair compensation for the commercial exploitation of their works.
Who Collects Neighbouring Rights Royalties?
The easiest way for you to start collecting these royalties is to affiliate and register your sound recording with a local collection society and the territories where your music is being publicly performed and broadcasted the most.
In Nigeria, Neighbouring rights royalties are collected by Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) and paid to Performing artists, record labels, and Producers in Nigeria.
Many countries have local organizations collecting neighbouring rights for their regions, and we recommend you register locally or with an international neighbouring rights administrator to make sure you’re collecting everything.
A few examples of these organizations include:
- PPL International – U.K.
- MCSN – Nigeria
- PPCA – Australia
- SENA – Netherlands
- ABRAMUS – Brazil
- Adami – France
- GVL – Germany
- CPRA – Japan
- ACTRA RACS – Canada
The Role of MCSN in Neighboring Rights Collection in Nigeria
The Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) is the cornerstone of neighboring rights protection and revenue generation for Nigerian music creators. As a collective management organization, MCSN represents performers, producers, and record labels, safeguarding their rights and ensuring fair compensation for the public use of their recorded music.
We collect royalties from broadcasters, digital platforms, and public venues, distributing them to rights holders based on music usage. The organization also licenses the use of music, enforces rights, and educates industry stakeholders.
To expand the reach of Nigerian music, MCSN collaborates with international partners, facilitating cross-border royalty collection and protecting the rights of Nigerian artists on a global stage.
By joining MCSN, music creators can secure their rightful earnings and contribute to a thriving Nigerian music industry.
How to Join MCSN
Register with the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) and submit your works – then we do the rest.
Register Online
Begin and complete your Membership registration quickly online.
Register Offline
Download PDF signup form to complete registration offline, then mail to: members@mcsnnigeria.org or upload completed form below;
Already a Member?
If you are already a Member of MCSN, you can submit your works, update your profile, etc. below:
Submit Works Online
Notify us about your new Musical Works and Sound Recordings.
Submit Works Offline (PDF)
Download and complete PDF form to notify us of your new Works.
Submit Works Offline (Spreadsheet)
Download and complete excel sheet to populate your works, especially if you have bulky.
Update Your MCSN Profile
Let us know changes to your personal details.
Notify of Usage
Notify us where your works are being used to enable us claim royalties on your behalf.