Neighbouring Rights

Neighbouring rights are an important—and often overlooked—source of income for recording musicians, vocalists, and producers in Canada. Unlike copyright, which compensates songwriters and composers, neighbouring rights ensure that performers and sound recording owners are paid when their recordings are broadcast or played in public.

This includes:

Radio (AM/FM and satellite)
Television
Background music in shops, gyms, restaurants, and venues
Certain streaming platforms and webcasts

Neighbouring rights royalties are collected under the Canadian Copyright Act and distributed through collective management organizations, which track performances and make payments to eligible performers and rights holders.

Why Neighbouring Rights Matter

Many professional musicians have royalties waiting for them without even knowing it. If your performances have been recorded and released, chances are they’ve been played somewhere—earning you neighbouring rights royalties.

These payments can become a steady, supplementary income stream, especially for working musicians whose recordings receive airplay across Canada or internationally. It’s also a way of protecting your rights and ensuring fair compensation for your creative work.

About Artisti

Artisti is a Canadian non-profit collective that administers neighbouring rights specifically for performing artists. It’s designed to ensure that musicians and vocalists receive their fair share of royalties when their performances are used.

What Artisti does:

Collects and distributes neighbouring rights royalties in Canada and abroad
Represents both featured and non-featured performers
Manages reciprocal agreements with international collectives so you can receive global payments
Offers transparent royalty reporting and no membership fees

To assign your rights or to obtain further information contact:

Artisti
info@artisti.ca, 514-288-7875 ext. 1270
www.artisti.ca