2019 was a rich and demanding year, both for the administration and the board. This will continue in the coming year, says TONO's chairwoman Ingrid Kindem in her New Year's greetings to TONO members.
/ 17/01/2020 / Willy MartinsenDear TONO members!
Globalization, new user patterns, technological developments and new management structures are challenging us. International players are challenging collective management, services are constantly emerging that offer advances, VIP treatment and quick profits. They are seeking out Norwegian production environments, festivals and songwriters.
Directives and regulations from Brussels require that we are transparent, accountable and safeguard both Norwegian and international copyrights in a good way. TONO is active in the work of implementing the directives. The board has initiated a process to ensure that rights holders, whose works are managed by TONO, receive remuneration for use in a changed user pattern. This requires some adjustments to our billing model. The Distribution Committee and the board are continuously working to replace the old model with new fair solutions in line with the CRM directive.
We have also had to try a number of cases in court – it is demanding – sometimes we have to go all the way to the Supreme Court. Some cases extend over many years. TONO has the finances and expertise to pursue the cases on behalf of the rights holders. It is about fair treatment of music creators and significant amounts. It is therefore gratifying, and also a relief, to see that TONO is winning in court.
At the end of October last year, I met with colleagues in Budapest. Our global umbrella organization CISAC presented comparable figures from management companies from all over the world. And it is good to see that TONO is among the top 3 for collecting remuneration per capita in the area of music performance rights. TONO has a reputation as a modern and well-run management company – a company that has been built brick by brick over 91 years.
TONO's members work today on all continents – Norwegian music has made a significant mark internationally in recent years. Streaming services for music, film and TV have been a window for Norwegian music. We have also negotiated good agreements with these services.
2019 looks to be a fantastically good year for TONO with greater turnover than ever before. This is thanks to dedicated, knowledgeable and wise employees. They are constructive, fact-based, honest and nuanced in their work. I am both humble and proud of the work the administration does for us composers, lyricists and music publishers.
Finally, I would like to thank you, TONO members, for your constant artistic contributions to the catalogue managed by TONO. The music itself and the song poetry are the heart of TONO. A large, unified catalogue makes us strong together in a negotiating position. It will also secure income in the long term through reciprocal agreements with similar companies in other countries.
On behalf of the board, I wish you a Happy New Creative Year!