TONO help for customers

In this reference book we have collected some of the most common questions we receive from our customers. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, you are of course welcome to contact us. Questions about music on the internet can be sent to online@tono.no and questions about concerts and background music can be sent to  marked@tono.no.

Select a suitable category below, or search among all questions together.

Instructions for the digital customer portal in Mitt TONO

This is a guide for using TONO's digital customer portal. In the portal, you as a concert organizer can quickly and easily apply for a TONO permit in advance of the concerts you organize. After…

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What is the difference between TONO and Gramo?

TONO and Gramo manage various music rights. TONO represents songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers, and manages the economic rights associated with their works. By works we mean the song itself, no matter how…

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I haven't used Norwegian music, do I still have to pay the TONO fee?

TONO does not charge fees. The customer pays compensation to a professional group (those who created the music) for the use of their intellectual property. Through reciprocal agreements with similar management companies around the world, TONO manages…

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The artist has received the ticket revenue himself (played at the door). Do we as the organizer have to pay compensation?

Yes. The law states that it is the person or persons who make the music available to the public who must have permission – that is, pay the TONO fee. Concert organizers and artists are free to…

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The artist only played his own songs, do we have to pay TONO?

Yes, the artist fee never covers the songwriter fee that must be paid through TONO. The artist is paid a fee for performing, but the organizer also uses the songwriter's copyrights, and it is for the use...

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We already pay the artist who performs, why do we have to pay TONO?

The artist fee never covers the songwriters' fee, which is paid through TONO. Being an artist and a songwriter are two different roles, two different professions. When it comes to concerts, the…

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Who must pay TONO remuneration?

The person responsible for the musical performance must obtain permission from TONO in advance and pay a fee for this. This applies to performances of both Norwegian and foreign music, and regardless of…

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What are recording rights?

Recording rights refer to ownership of a specific recording of a work. Sometimes the terms master rights and master owner are also used. The recording is often owned by those who financed it, who…

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Do you need a TONO license to upload private videos from, for example, a wedding, birthday or graduation to Facebook/YouTube?

No. 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.

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What is geo-blocking?

With 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,…

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Why does Facebook/YouTube mute videos when music is playing?

This 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…

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I want to stream a concert live on Facebook/YouTube. What types of licenses do we need?

When streaming a concert live, a synchronization license from TONO is not required. When streaming a concert simultaneously and separately (with no subsequent availability)…

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I want to use music in a corporate presentation for a company on Facebook, YouTube or other social media. Who licenses this?

A 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…

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What types of productions does NCB license?

NCB 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…

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I am a visual artist and want to use music in a video installation for publication on the Internet. Who licenses this?

For 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…

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I want to use the music in a film about a company / training video for new employees. The video will be published on the company intranet. Who licenses this?

For 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…

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I want to use the music in a video about the work of a non-profit organization. Who licenses this?

For video productions that present the work of your nonprofit organization, recording rights must be cleared with record labels, synchronization rights with music publishers, and performance rights with TONO's Online Media department.

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I want to use music in a film about a business. Who licenses this?

For video productions that present your company, recording rights must be cleared with record labels, synchronization rights with music publishers, and performance rights with TONO's Online Media department.

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I want to use a piece of music in a commercial. Who licenses this?

For video productions featuring musical works that promote a product or service (whether commercial or non-commercial) for promotional purposes, recording rights must be cleared with record labels, synchronization rights with music publishers, and…

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I don't know what song was playing in the background while I was recording my video. Does the music need to be cleared?

If the music is recognizable, the recording rights must be cleared with the record company and the performance and synchronization rights with TONO.

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How should I credit the authors when I use musical works in a video production?

Music used in a video production can be credited in the credits. It must contain the following information: Title of musical work Names of songwriters Record company Music publisher

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There is no background music in the store, but we play music when we demonstrate speakers and stereo systems. Do we need a TONO agreement?

Yes, all public use of music requires an agreement with TONO. This applies regardless of how the music is played and the amount of music used. You can see pricing information and sign an agreement here…

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What services/medium can a business or organization use to play music for customers or guests?

The TONO agreement gives customers complete freedom to play whatever they want – radio, streaming services, TV, CDs and so on. Is the service considering purchasing a streaming service for businesses…

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Can a business use a private streaming subscription to play music for customers or guests?

No. When you sign up for a private subscription with a streaming service, you agree to a number of terms and conditions. All major streaming services state that the service is for private use only. There are…

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Who must pay TONO remuneration?

The person responsible for the musical performance must obtain permission from TONO in advance and pay a fee for this. This applies to performances of both Norwegian and foreign music, and regardless of…

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Do I have to have an agreement with both TONO and Gramo?

All use of music in public, both recorded and live, requires an agreement with TONO. If you use recorded music, such as streaming, CD, radio, TV, etc., you also need an agreement…

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What is the difference between TONO and Gramo?

TONO and Gramo manage various music rights. TONO represents songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers, and manages the economic rights associated with their works. By works we mean the song itself, no matter how…

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What is TONO?

TONO is a cooperative that manages the rights of songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers worldwide. We grant permission for the public use of music on behalf of the rights holders, and the royalties, that…

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What is copyright?

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 in Norway through the Copyright Act, but is also protected through a number of international agreements,…

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