When am I entitled to receive payments?
Creators of music
Music is everywhere – in parking garages, television programmes, at the gym, in shops and offices, on the radio, online…Music is an essential element in the products and services of many companies, and if they use your music, you have a right to receive payment as its creator. But who qualifies as a 'creator of music'? And how can you make sure you receive your payments?
Am I a 'creator of music'?
You are a creator of music if you were involved as a producer or artist (i.e. soloist, band, session musician, member of a choir/orchestra or conductor) in the recording of a CD, record or commercial download.
Under the Neighbouring Rights Act, you are entitled to payment whenever your recording is played in public, or broadcast on radio and/or television – subject to certain conditions.
Firstly, the recording must not have been released more than fifty years prior to the date it was used. Secondly, the recording must have been used after 1 July 1993 (when the Neighbouring Rights Act came into effect). Lastly, the original producer of the recording must have registered offices in an EU/EEA country, or in any other country that has ratified the Treaty of Rome.
How do I receive my payments?
As a rightholder, you have three years in which to claim your payments. Given that you will usually not know exactly who has used your music and when, it is advisable to register yourself and your repertoire with Sena as soon as possible. Sena will then make sure that you receive the payments that you are entitled to.
How do I register for free as a creator of music? Click here. How can I find out more about the Neighbouring Rights Act? Click here.
Sena collects fees on behalf of national and international artists and producers, and passes these on to the rightholders as quickly, correctly and with as few costs as possible.
A digital fingerprint for your music.
The International Standard Recording Code, or ISRC, gives your music a digital fingerprint that is used easily (and invisibly) on each individual track on all digital sound carriers. This coding ensures that your rights always remain protected.
Download the brochure titled ‘ISRC… wat moet je er mee?’ (in Dutch).
