The Neighbouring Rights Act

The Neighbouring Rights Act

The Neighbouring Rights Act (WNR: Wet op de naburige rechten) was introduced in 1993 and grants performers, film/record companies and broadcasting organisations the right to decide whether:

• a performance may be recorded;
• multiple copies may be made of the recording and whether it may be marketed;
• a recording may be broadcast or shown/played in public.

Commercially released music may always be broadcast or played in public, subject to payment of an equitable remuneration. This means that the aforementioned parties have the right to payment. Infringing the WNR is a punishable offence.

When the WNR was introduced, the government authorised Sena to secure the right to payment on behalf of all Dutch performers and record companies in accordance with this Act.