TONO is extending the COVID-19 exemption for digital church services until August 1. Until then, congregations can continue to broadcast church services online without paying TONO fees to composers and lyricists.
/ 10/06/2021 / Kristian DugstadEarlier this year, TONO granted an exemption from ordinary TONO licensing for digital online services for the period January 1 to June 1. On May 6, the exemption was extended until June. Now it is being extended further, until August 1.
This means that for a few weeks, congregations can broadcast their services online without entering into an ordinary TONO agreement for the performance of music online. This is because online services are exclusively considered to be direct replacements for physical services. From August 1, TONO will make ongoing assessments based on the infection situation.
TONO therefore treats these performances as if they were physical, with the rules that apply to the area based on Section 40 of the Copyright Act regarding free use in religious ceremonies or other ceremonies based on non-religious beliefs. Similarly, the performed authors will also be paid TONO remuneration based on the annual compensation TONO receives from the Ministry of Culture for performances in this area.
NOTE! The exemption applies performance rights by streaming church services online, but also the synchronization rights when video recordings of the services remain available online for up to one week after the event.
As with regular church services, the congregations' only obligation during this period will be to report to TONO what is being performed during the services. These will now be reported digitally.
Read more: Church services will now be TONO-reported digitally
On May 10, TONO launched a new digital reporting service that will be used to report music performed in church services and other religious and non-religious ceremonies.
The reports ensure that TONO has the necessary information to be able to settle an annual fee from the Ministry of Culture to those who have created the music used in this type of music performance.