SENA

Since 1993 SENA has won its spurs as a neighbouring rights organization. Not only because of its intense cooperation with representative partners in the Dutch business community, also as a ‘keeper’ of the interests of many great (international) names in music. For whether Elton John, Rolling Stones or Andrea Bocelli are concerned, or Racoon, De Kermisklanten or the Concertgebouw Orchestra, SENA takes care of their rights in The Netherlands and far beyond!

Appointed by the Ministry of Justice, and to the exclusion of any other, SENA has been charged with the execution (part) of the Neighbouring Rights Act. In practice this means among other things that SENA, on behalf of its rightholders, grants licences to ‘Users’ of music for the public use of for commercial purposes released phonograms. For this, SENA collects remunerations and, on the basis of legally approved regulations, pays them through to the performing artists and record producers, also known as the ‘Creators’ of music.

Open character
SENA’s attention is fully aimed at a best possible promotion of the interests of its rightholders. Each record producer and each performing artist who believes to be entitled to a remuneration can register – free of charge – with SENA at Hilversum.

Public Performance
Granting legally required music licences occurs both on an individual basis and through collective licensing agreements concluded with sector-related organizations. The Public Performance department is responsible for collecting the fees as they are paid by the business community in The Netherlands, and for guiding the employees of the field staff.

Broadcasting
The Netherlands comprise a great variety of radio and television stations providing broadcasts through cable and/or air on a national, regional or local level. Within this supply of broadcasting licensees a distinction is made between, so-called, public stations and commercial or private stations. Besides the well-known domestic channels, many foreign channels can be received as well.

New Media
The distribution of music through the Internet holds a special position within SENA’s licensing activities. The last decade, the world-wide-web has grown into a true musical artery. Besides the use of mechanical background music on websites, for example to support the product’s USP’s, or simply to brighten up web pages, Internet radio in particular underwent a significant growth.

On behalf of their right holders, SENA grants licenses for the use of (mechanical background) music on the Internet and is, on behalf of NVPI (Dutch IFPI) entrusted with processing Podcasting licensing.

Distribution
All possible information in the area of repertoire and rightholders plus the play-data from the radio and televisionstations form the basis which eventually enables the Distribution Department to pay remunerations through.

The process of paying through is not limited to The Netherlands alone. In the interest of its rightholders SENA concludes bilateral agreements with foreign sister organizations as well. As a result SENA’s rightholders also receive remunerations when their music is played abroad.

ICT
Within each and every section of SENA’s operation, the complicated processes would be inoperable without the ‘custom-made’ programs and computer equipment. From the license registration for Trade and Industry and Media, including a hi-tech working environment for SENA employees till the exchange of information on an international level!