TONO asks the EU to amend European copyright law to protect Norwegian copyright holders in the face of artificial intelligence. (© European Union 2024 – Source: EP, photographer: Philippe BUISSIN)
TONO believes that artificial intelligence cannot build new business models on copyrighted music without the creators knowing about it, being able to license it and getting paid for it. That is the core message when TONO now asks the EU Commission to change European copyright.
/ 29/06/2026 / Willy MartinsenOn Thursday last week, TONO submitted a 20-page submission to politicians in the EU Commission. In it, TONO clearly states that steps must be taken to protect human music creators in the face of artificial intelligence.
TONO's input is part of a so-called “Call for Evidence”, where the European Commission collects views from stakeholders across Europe before considering new legislative proposals.
This is an important process, which contributes directly to the work of the European Commission. TONO's text is written by copyright lawyer and director of the department for international relations, Inger Elise Mey.
Mey has worked with copyright in the face of it digital field in TONO since the 1990s. She has previously led major negotiations with the world's largest streaming companies for many years, and also has just as much experience from participating in international legal expert groups.
– When the EU is now considering updating copyright legislation, artificial intelligence is the big topic. TONO is contributing to the consultation, and it is an important step in influencing how future copyright regulations will look. For us, it is about ensuring that authors still have control over their own works and get paid when they are used, even in the face of new technology, she says.
The background to the input is a development in which AI systems are increasingly using copyrighted material, often without consent or payment, as has been the case, among other things, with featured in VG recently.
TONO points out three challenges in particular:
– The services do not disclose which works they are practicing on. They also claim that they do not need a license from the rights holders. They also do not pay the rights holders for it. There is also a risk that AI-generated content will replace human-created music in the market. These are serious threats to both Norwegian music and European culture. We believe that we are at an important crossroads, a value choice, about where Europe should stand in the face of new technology. TONO supports technological development, but it must be regulated in a way that protects both technology companies and rights holders, she says.
In the submission, TONO asks the EU Commission, among other things, to ensure that AI companies are open about which works they use, that the use of copyrighted material occurs through licensing, and that authors receive fair payment when their works create value.
This is a continuation of long-term work in which TONO, together with sister societies in Europe, works to influence the development of regulations to protect artists.
– Technological development is important, but it must happen within the framework of copyright. AI should be a tool that strengthens creative work, but if it is not regulated it will undermine it, says Mey.
Providing input to the EU is one of several measures TONO uses to advance its members' interests. Through collaboration with organizations such as CISAC and GESAC, and direct dialogue with European authorities, TONO actively participates in the work of shaping the future framework for the music industry.
“This is very concrete advocacy work. When we provide such input, we help ensure that the authors' perspectives are heard in processes that actually have an impact on their everyday lives,” says Mey.
The EU is now in a phase where the experiences with the Copyright Directive from 2019 are being assessed, while at the same time working on new measures related to artificial intelligence.
– If we are to have a sustainable market for music in the future, we must ensure that the values continue to return to those who create the music, concludes Inger Elise Mey.
Read TONO's submission to the EU Commission here (pdf).
On TONO-Nytt at tono.no you will find many articles about TONO's work to strengthen members in the face of technological development. For example, search for "artificial intelligence" to find relevant issues. Here is a selection of relevant issues: