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.
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.
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 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.
Neighboring rights are essential for performers, producers, record labels, and rights owners in the Nigerian music industry. They ensure fair compensation for the public use of recorded music, granting creators control over their work and generating additional revenue.
Performers benefit from recognition, artistic control, and financial stability through royalties. Record labels gain licensing opportunities, revenue generation, and effective catalog management. Other Rights owners protect their compositions, collect royalties, and expand their global reach.
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:
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.
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:
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.
Register with the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) and submit your works – then we do the rest.
Begin and complete your Membership registration quickly online.
Download PDF signup form to complete registration offline, then mail to: members@mcsnnigeria.org or upload completed form below;
If you are already a Member of MCSN, you can submit your works, update your profile, etc. below:
Notify us about your new Musical Works and Sound Recordings.
Download and complete PDF form to notify us of your new Works.
Download and complete excel sheet to populate your works, especially if you have bulky.
Let us know changes to your personal details.
Notify us where your works are being used to enable us claim royalties on your behalf.