FIELD NOTE #002: Neighboring Rights and the International Master Leak
Global touring and international streaming produce a specific revenue category frequently overlooked: Neighboring Rights. While SoundExchange manages domestic digital performance royalties, substantial master-side revenue originates from terrestrial broadcast and public performance in foreign territories.
The Reciprocal Breakdown
The U.S. lacks full bilateral reciprocal agreements for terrestrial performance rights with many international territories. Without manual registration at the source with societies such as PPL (UK), GVL (Germany), or SAMI (Sweden), these funds remain inaccessible. Standard digital distribution lacks the technical scope to resolve these international master-side conflicts.
Detached Master Data
Audits frequently reveal "Orphaned Masters" where recordings exist in the system without proper links between individual performers and the ISRC at the international level.
Domestic Status: We verify that SoundExchange registrations fully associate your current roster with every master recording in your catalog.
Global Mapping: We audit international societies to ensure data maps at the performer level, preventing siphoning by foreign administrative suspense accounts.
Statute of Limitations
International neighboring rights funds are subject to strict collection windows similar to the MLC Black Box. Unclaimed assets are eventually redistributed to local market-share holders within the territory.
The Forensic Audit
Our 360-degree reconciliation ensures every master recording is accurately registered and performer-side revenue streams remain functional. We secure these assets by resolving the technical data failures ignored by automated systems.
