TONO and the Norwegian Music Council (NMR) have reached an agreement for organizing groups. The agreement, which only applies to 2018, includes 250 organizing groups that are members of AKKS, FolkOrg, Klassisk, Norsk Bluesunion, Norsk jazzforum and Norsk Viseforum.
/ 08/05/2018 / Willy MartinsenThe framework agreement covers a total of 250 specifically defined "grassroots organizers" who are members of the six organizations. Through the agreement, the organizing teams receive permission from TONO to perform protected music at all concerts that are organized. The agreement involves an increase in the total TONO remuneration compared to 2017. The previous framework agreement between TONO and NMR was based on basic figures that dated back to 2009, and included both performing teams and organizing teams. A lot has happened in the organizing field since then, and fortunately, far more concerts are now being organized. The number of concerts in the organizing agreement with TONO for 2018 has therefore been adjusted upwards.
The agreement is only valid for 2018, based on the fact that the parties see that it is not possible in terms of time to reach a new agreement that will also cover the coming years.
– We have been through lengthy, but good and constructive negotiations with the Norwegian Music Council, which have now resulted in an agreement for NMR's organizing team for this year. We are satisfied to have entered into an agreement that takes into account a larger number of concerts than under the old agreement. We continue to have a good dialogue with the Norwegian Music Council, and we look forward to further negotiations on an agreement for 2019 and beyond, says Geir Gaarder, Negotiation Director at TONO.
Negotiations on a longer-term agreement from 2019 will begin shortly, and it is desirable for both parties to reach an agreement soon so that the same situation does not arise next year.
– We are satisfied that we have resolved the rights issues for the current year in the best interests of the local grassroots organizers and the local cultural life. It is in the interest of both the rights holder and the organizer that a solution is found. We have good dialogue with TONO and have good faith in a quick solution for 2019 and the years after, says Christin Sund, acting secretary general of the Norwegian Music Council.
The agreement means that the Norwegian Music Council pays the TONO fee centrally. However, the individual organizers are obliged to send TONO reports on which works have been performed at the concerts.
About the Norwegian Music Council
The Norwegian Music Council is an umbrella organization and interest group for the music scene in Norway. NMR has 33 member organizations, 17 county music councils and represents over 140.000 members. NMR continuously works to improve the organizations' framework conditions and the local music scene's need for suitable rehearsal spaces. For more information: www.music.no
About TONO:
TONO is a non-profit cooperative, founded in 1928, owned and managed by its members: composers, lyricists and music publishers. TONO manages performance rights for musical works in Norway, and collects remuneration for their public performance. TONO currently represents more than 31,000 TONO members, as well as more than 2,5 million authors from other countries in the Norwegian territory through reciprocal agreements with sister societies worldwide. TONO's results for distribution are transferred to the rights holders in performed musical works. TONO facilitates the use of music in society, while at the same time providing music creators with a basis for constantly creating new musical works. For more information: www.tono.no
For more information:
Geir Gaarder, Negotiation Director at TONO, mobile 909 46,976, email: geir.gaarder (a) tono.no
Willy Martinsen, communications manager at TONO, mobile 909 65 254, email: willy.martinsen (a) tono.no
Christin Sund, acting general secretary of NMR, tel. 22 00 56 00, e-mail: christin.sund (a) musik.no
Photo at top: istock.com/batuhantoker