The creative work of a singer, musician, actor or other performer is a distinct object of protection under the copyright statute: the chapter on rights neighbouring to copyright gives performers personal and property guarantees over their performances. This page explains who holds neighbouring rights, what rights a performer has over the performance, how they move by contract and for how long they last.
The Essence of Neighbouring Rights
The statute treats neighbouring rights as an independent protection regime. Under Article 45, the protection of rights neighbouring to copyright provided by that chapter does not obstruct the protection of copyright, and neighbouring rights are exercised by way of respect for copyright — no provision of the chapter is interpreted as an infringement of copyright. Protection of the performance thus exists for the performer independently of the author of the underlying work: the performer's right protects the performance, the author's right protects the work.