Evergreen Guide

What Are Neighbouring Rights in South Africa?

An introductory guide to sound-recording performance rights, needletime and the roles of recording artists and record companies in South Africa.

Guide

The right attached to the recording

Neighbouring or related rights concern contributions and interests around a sound recording, rather than only the underlying composition. In South Africa, SAMPRA describes its mandate as administering needletime rights for recording artists and record labels.

Guide

When it matters

Broadcasting or playing recorded music in public can engage rights in the recording as well as rights in the composition. The responsible licence and distribution path depends on the use and the rightsholders involved.

Guide

Keep the evidence

Accurate credits, performer agreements, label agreements, recording metadata and timely repertoire notifications help identify who should be associated with a recording. Always verify current eligibility and claims procedures with the relevant organisation.

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Primary references

Verify this guide at the source.

Official and first-party references used for the roles described above.

SAMPRA — official website SAMPRA — FAQs

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