Every day, member service receives a number of inquiries and questions about TONO. Here we have collected the most common ones in a clear TONO help. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, you are of course welcome to contact member service then we will try to help you as soon as we can.
Select a suitable category below, or search among all questions together.
All people who create intellectual works in the form of music or lyrics to music can become a member of TONO and register their songs/musical works with us. As an author, you are free to…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altISRC is the recording's identification number and stands for International Standard Recording Code. Each individual recording of a musical work must be assigned a unique ISRC, and the code is used to identify the master rights on…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo, if you are a TONO member who has a VAT-compliant business, for example in an AS, then you do not need to pay VAT on your TONO payments. This is for three reasons: 1….
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIt is possible to apply to transfer your membership to one of our sister societies abroad. Applications must be sent in writing to medlem@tono.no with information about which company you wish to…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIt is possible to enter into a split membership where you are a member of two performance societies at the same time, but for different territories. For example: ASCAP for the USA and TONO for the rest of the world….
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf you wish to terminate your membership in TONO, you must send a written notice of termination to medlem@tono.no. Membership will terminate six months after you have sent the notice of termination, but not before the end of…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altYes, TONO has special rules for copyright for personal yoik in TONO's administration. Copyright protects everyone who creates musical works and other intellectual property, and is the basis for TONO's activities. The right is enshrined in law…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo. TONO has agreements with both Facebook and YouTube that cover this use. It is important to note that this applies to individuals and not organizations, companies, choirs, bands, etc.
Open in new tab arrow_right_altWith geo-blocking, you can limit a video production for viewing in certain territories, such as the Nordic region. By limiting a production for viewing to only the Nordic territory,…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altPrivate groups on Facebook, even if they are closed, are by definition online use. That is, just like any other type of use on the Internet. In this type of production, you have to…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altThis is most likely due to Facebook / YouTube finding an unlicensed production, meaning that the recording has not been cleared with the owner of the recording used (record label/artist) or TONO. It is…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altWhen streaming a concert live, a synchronization license from TONO is not required. When streaming a concert simultaneously and unchanged (with no subsequent availability)…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altA corporate presentation for external display is by definition advertising. You as the author, or your music publisher, must negotiate a synchronization license with the company yourself. TONO issues a license for the performance rights. We would like to draw your attention to…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNCB licenses television productions, television dramas (broadcast in the Nordic countries), documentaries without theatrical distribution and short films without theatrical distribution made by professional audiovisual producers. NCB also licenses DVDs, CDs, LPs and other productions that are released…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altFor such productions, TONO licenses both synchronization and performance. We would like to point out that if recorded music is used in such productions, the recording rights must be cleared by the owners…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altFor productions with internal viewing, TONO licenses both synchronization and performance. Please note that if recorded music is used in such productions, the recording rights must be cleared by the…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altFor video productions that present the work of their non-profit organization, the creator must provide consent. Recording rights are cleared with the record label, synchronization rights with the creator or music publisher, and performance rights with…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altFor video productions that present your company, the copyright holder must give their consent. Recording rights are cleared with the record label, synchronization rights with the copyright holder or music publisher, and performance rights with TONO's Online Media department.
Open in new tab arrow_right_altFor video productions with musical works that promote a product or service (whether commercial or non-commercial) for promotional purposes, the author must give their consent. Recording rights are cleared with record labels, synchronization rights…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altMusic used in a video production can be credited in the credits. It must then contain the following information: Title of musical work Names of songwriters Record company Music publisher
Open in new tab arrow_right_altTONO does not manage recording rights, and therefore has no accurate information regarding this. However, this information should be available in streaming services such as Spotify and iTunes: Right-click on the song that…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altRecording rights refer to ownership of a specific recording of a work. The terms master rights and master owner are also sometimes used. The recording is often owned by those who financed it. It is…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altAdding music to a moving image or still image requires a separate license. Such a combination of sound and image is called a sync. Examples of this could be a vlog…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altCopyright protects everyone who creates musical works and other intellectual property, and is the basis for TONO's activities. The right is enshrined in Norwegian law through the Copyright Act, but is also protected through a number of international agreements,…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altTONO has a general agreement with the Norwegian Theatre and Orchestra Association (NTO), which covers performances of newly written and existing music for theatre productions directed by NTO members. The agreement between NTO and…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altHERE you can download the form for applying for a management contract with TONO for music publishers.
Open in new tab arrow_right_altAs a TONO member, you entrust TONO with licensing all public performance, transmission and sound recording of your music. You still have the opportunity to manage your music yourself in a variety of ways…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altAre you wondering how the fee is calculated for the various transmission areas? Here you can read about TONO's settlement rules 2025.
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf you are unable to submit your application ELECTRONICALLY, you can download the application in .pdf format HERE. The form must be completed, signed and submitted either by post…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo, in principle you do not need to submit documentation for the works being reviewed. TONO has a random sampling scheme where a selection of works is routinely selected, and where it is…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altHere you will find the REVIEW FORM FOR ORIGINAL PUBLISHER for download in .pdf format. If the review concerns a sub-publisher, you must use THIS FORM. You can either scan it and send it to us at…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altYou can find information on how to get a TONO license and report here: Concert and event
Open in new tab arrow_right_altHere you can download the AUTHOR REVIEW FORM in .pdf format. You can either send this to us by post or scan it and send it by email to VERK@TONO.NO. Remember to sign…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf you wish to remove rights holders from works that are already registered in TONO, written consent is required. It is important to distinguish between performers and authors, and remember that you…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo. TONO is not a legal entity and does not have the authority to decide disputes between two parties in matters concerning, for example, plagiarism and similar copyright disputes. We must be neutral…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altYouTube uses systems that automatically recognize most released music along with the metadata recorded with unreleased music uploads to identify rights holders. Loading…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altTONO settles royalties for public performances and releases to composers, lyricists and music publishers. GRAMO does the same for recorded music, but to performers and record labels. These are basically different…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altAccording to Norwegian copyright law, the term of protection for intellectual property is 70 years after the author's death. After this, the work falls into the public domain, which means that you are free to use the work without…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIt costs nothing to join TONO, nor to be a member of TONO. We collect and pay non-profit fees, but deduct an administration fee per year before…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altWhen you enter into a management agreement with TONO, TONO/NCB will manage your economic rights in connection with public performances and sound recordings of your musical works instead of you doing so…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altTONO manages your financial rights in connection with public performances of your musical works. This means that TONO ensures that you get paid when your works are…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altThe publisher must submit a so-called transport declaration, or financial authorization, to TONO. This must state whether the advance applies to income from, for example, record sales, or whether it also applies to performance fees…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altThe publisher's percentage is a maximum of 33,33% of the performance and a maximum of 50% of the sound recording. However, the most common is 33,33% of both types of remuneration. This applies in original territories, i.e. in territories…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altA music publisher can help an author market and get their work performed through, for example, promotion and networking – often both in Norway and abroad. Feel free to visit the MUSIKKFORLEGGERNE website…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo. Authors and publishers are equal in TONO, and we generally cannot provide any assistance with an agreement between them. However, we can explain what your contract…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altContact MUSIC PUBLISHERS. They can help you with this. You can apply for membership in TONO for your publishing house by filling out a separate APPLICATION FORM. For music publishers, the following conditions apply: The publisher…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf it concerns a protected work, you must obtain permission from the copyright holders of the original work in advance. TONO is happy to help you find out who you need to contact for…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo. The Taxation Act states that "fees or other remuneration paid to the author of intellectual property" are subject to reporting, but TONO is not subject to withholding tax. This means that TONO can pay out...
Open in new tab arrow_right_altConcerts are billed once a year, in the fall (September/October). This bill includes concerts from the entire calendar year (January 1-December 31) from the previous year. If you played concerts last year, they are billed in…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf your music is performed on radio/TV abroad, you do not need to report this to us as this goes through our reciprocity agreement with sister societies around the world. You…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altWhen you enter into a management agreement with TONO, as the creator, you entrust TONO with managing your performance rights and sound fixation rights instead of doing it yourself. You are then…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altThe Copyright Act protects the author's moral and economic rights in their works. If you are afraid that your music will be plagiarized, you should make sure you can document that you…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo. You must obtain permission from the original rights holder to create your own version of someone else's work. However, such permission does not automatically mean that you as the organizer or…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altAuthors are free to agree on a distribution that is notified to TONO. If an agreed distribution is stated in the notification, that distribution will apply regardless of the role of the copyright holder in the work. Note…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altTONO uses your work reviews as the basis for settlement. In order for us to be able to settle and pay remuneration for your music, you must submit work reviews for all your works via…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altA work in the TONO context is a piece of music or a song. If you have participated as a composer, lyricist and/or arranger, you will have rights in the work.
Open in new tab arrow_right_altThe term "major rights" is used in connection with the dramatic performance of a work (e.g. opera, operetta, musical, pantomime, ballet, etc.). Performance of originally written music-dramatic works, or musical works performed on a stage…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altTONO/NCB grants permission for public performance and recording of protected music on behalf of the copyright holder. Please note, however, that the first release is reserved for the copyright holder, unless otherwise agreed. It…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altThese channels are located under British territory, and are therefore billed by our British sister society PRS For Music. Any billing from these channels will be received through the international billing.
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNRK's radio channels are settled based on a distribution percentage (factor), which, among other things, takes into account the different channels' listenership numbers. In addition, the number of minutes of music performed per channel and year will affect the final…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altNo, you as a rights holder do not need to report performances on radio/television to us. TONO receives detailed music reports directly from the radio and television channels, and these reports provide all the necessary information for…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altWhen you use music together with images, a combination of sound and image occurs. This is called synchronization. For example, if you create a video clip with music that you post…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf you want to make your music available online via music services that offer streaming or downloading, you can contact an aggregator. An aggregator is a digital distributor that collects…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf you are going to release music in physical format (e.g. CD/LP/DVD), you must contact NCB for clearance of the release prior to reprinting. This also applies if the release only contains your own…
Open in new tab arrow_right_altIf you want to record music or create an audiovisual production that contains music, you must first obtain permission from the NCB (Nordic Copyright Bureau). The NCB grants this permission on…
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