Collective management of copyrights creates value for composers, lyricists, songwriters and music publishers. Today, TONO settles NOK 143,1 million to rights holders in Norway and abroad, of which NOK 77,5 million goes to TONO members. The settlement is a full 2,5 times larger than just five years ago – and is the largest December settlement from TONO ever.
/ 08/12/2022 / Willy MartinsenTONO's more than 60 employees work throughout the year to grant permission for the use of the music we manage on behalf of composers, lyricists and music publishers from Norway and the rest of the world. We negotiate, sell, license and invoice radio and TV stations, music and film streaming services, concert organizers, cinemas, hotels, restaurants, gyms and all other public uses of our members' music.
The money we collect, combined with the collection and processing of enormous amounts of data and music reports, is the basis for us to settle payments for the use of music to those who create and own it four times a year: in March, June, September and December.
In the December 2022 settlement, which will be paid on December 8, we can overall settle more money to TONO's members than we have ever done before in a December settlement.
– In December, we are now settling a total of NOK 143,1 million to music creators and music publishers at home and abroad in what is the fourth main settlement of the year. That is NOK 26,8 million more than in December a year ago, and NOK 84,4 million more than five years ago, in 2017, when we settled NOK 58,7 million, says Willy Martinsen, Communications Director at TONO.
– If we look only at the amounts that go to TONO members for the use of their music, we currently settle NOK 77,5 million. That is NOK 22,8 million more than in December a year ago, and NOK 47,9 million more than in December 2017.
It is not only the total amounts that have increased in the December settlements over the past five years. So has the number of TONO members receiving settlements. In 2017, 17,912 TONO members received a December settlement. In today's December settlement, the number of members receiving settlements has increased by 9,279 to a total of 27,191.
The billing for these reflects how much the music is used. The area where most TONO members receive billing is online, that is, especially music streaming services.
– Today it is easy to release music digitally, and many do it. Unfortunately, it is difficult to break through in the amount of music that is released. As a result, only a minority receive large settlements from this area. TONO believes that music is too cheap in streaming services, and the services should increase subscription prices to users, says Martinsen.
Please read this article "New study shows biases in the music streaming economy" (https://www.tono.no/ny-undersokelse-viser-skjevheter-i-musikkstrommeokonomien/)
TONO also represents foreign composers, lyricists and music publishers in Norway. In this year's December settlement, we settled 64,9 million kroner to them.
As usual, TONO also sets aside a smaller amount for unidentified rights holders and musical works, as yet unannounced works and disputed rights. This time, this amount is NOK 0,7 million.
Below is an overview of the settlement divided into areas for TONO members, sister societies abroad, as well as the funds we must put on hold for unidentified rights holders and musical works, currently unannounced works and disputed rights.
With the exception of the totals in the bottom row, the numbers in the table are rounded.
NRK (15 channels), Bauer Media (11 channels), P4 Group (8 channels). Billing for music use will be done in the 2th quarter of 2022.
Mega concerts, theater, revue and exhibition (billed continuously)
TONO members who have received a settlement have today received a settlement letter by email. Members can log in to the member portal My TONO to find more information about your billing. Any complaints must be in writing and sent to TONO by February 1, 2023.
For questions:
Members can contact Member Services on 22 05 72 80 or medlem@tono.no.
Media inquiries should be directed to Communications Director Willy Martinsen, mobile 909 65 254, willy.martinsen@tono.no.