Rights, royalties and the business · updated 2026-08-16

NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS VS MASTER ROYALTIES

Neighbouring rights pay performers and labels for broadcast and public performance of a recording; master royalties come from sales and streams.

Contract paperwork, a pen and a vinyl record on a desk in a music office

SOURCES AND CITATIONS

Free, primary references for neighbouring rights vs master royalties — standards bodies, manufacturers, government offices and university course material.

WIPO — related rights (opens in a new tab)
SoundExchange (opens in a new tab)

RELATED TERMS IN RIGHTS, ROYALTIES AND THE BUSINESS

PRO
Mechanical royalty
Neighbouring rights
Sync licence
Sample clearance
Split sheet
Work for hire
Distributor vs label

Back to the full music glossary or read our latest articles.