TONO FAQ

What is the difference between grand and small rights?

19/04/2018

The expression “grand rights” is used in connection with performances of a dramatic musical work (e.g. an opera, operetta, musical, pantomime or ballet). The performance of originally written dramatico-musical works, or musical works performed on a stage in a dramatic context, are not subject to management by TONO. In principle, TONO does not manage grand […]

A member of the band has quit. Can I transfer his shares in the work to the remaining band members?

Written consent is required to remove one or more rights holders from a work that is already registered with TONO. It is important to distinguish between performers and creators. Remember that you must register the actual rights holders, i.e. the people who have contributed to the creation of the music/lyrics, for each work. If one […]

Performing or recording cover versions

TONO/NCB give permission for the public performance and recording of copyright-protected musical works on behalf of their creators. However, please note that the first publication is reserved for the creators themselves, unless otherwise agreed. No particular permission is needed to perform or release a cover version of another creator’s work, as long as your version […]

Can I use a few bars from another creator’s work?

If the work is protected, you must obtain the prior permission of the original work’s rights holders. TONO will be happy to help you find out whom you must contact in this respect. If the work is no longer protected by copyright, i.e. the original creator(s) have been dead for more than 70 years, you […]

Can I apply to TONO for permission to arrange or translate a work?

No. You must obtain the permission of the original rights holder if you want to create your own version of another creator’s work. However, such permission does not automatically imply that you, as an arranger or a translator, are entitled to a percentage of the royalties that TONO/NCB distributes. It must be clearly stated that […]

Can I give away a work free of charge when I am a TONO member?

When you sign a management contract with TONO, you – as a creator of musical works – give TONO responsibility for managing your performance rights and mechanical rights. You are then bound to comply with the management contract and its prevailing regulations (s 2 and 5). In principle, you cannot accept that your own works […]

What does it mean that a work is copyright free?

According to Norwegian Copyright law, an artistic work is protected by copyright for 70 years after the year its creator(s) deceased. After this, the work becomes copyright free, which means that you are free to use the work without any special permission. For more information, please see the following (in Norwegian): https://lovdata.no/lov/1961-05-12-2  

How do I protect my works against plagiarism?

The Norwegian Copyright Act protects the creator’s intellectual property and financial rights and entitlements to the work. If you are concerned that your music may be plagiarised, you should make sure you are able to document the fact that you created the music first. One way to do this is to send the musical score […]

How are percentages allocated between a work’s creators?

The creators of a work are free to agree upon a split which is then reported to TONO. If an agreed split is stipulated in the work notification submitted to TONO, that split will apply irrespective of the role the individual has played in the creation of the work. Please note that the work notification […]

Do I have to submit documentation of the work?

No. In principle, you do not need to submit any documentation along with your work notification. TONO has a scheme, under which a random sample of works is routinely selected. Documentation for these works will be requested specifically. This scheme has been set up to ensure that reported works comply with the criteria stipulated in […]