The Neighbouring Rights Act

The Dutch Neighbouring Rights Act (Wet op de naburige rechten, WNR) was implemented in 1993 and gives performing artists, film/record companies and broadcasting organisations the right to decide whether:

• a performance may be recorded;
• a recording may be reproduced and put on the market;
• a recording may be broadcast, shown or played.

Commercially released music may always be broadcast or played, as long as a reasonable fee is paid – this is called ‘right to payment’. Failure to comply with the Neighbouring Rights Act is a punishable offence.

When the Act was introduced, Sena was appointed the task of managing the right to payment of all Dutch artists and record producers under the Neighbouring Rights Act.

Click here to view the full text of the Neighbouring Rights Act online (in Dutch).