TONO FAQ
TONO’s Member Services receives many enquiries and questions every day. We have gathered the most common issues in a handy TONO FAQ.
If you cannot find the relevant information here, you are welcome to CONTACT MEMBER SERVICES directly, and we will handle your request as soon as possible.
Select a suitable category below, or search among all the questions.
Work notification form for music creators
Here you can download the WORK NOTIFICATION FORM in PDF for creators. You can send it by mail or scan it and email it to [email protected] Remember to sign the form…
Application form for music creators
If you are unable to submit the application form ELECTRONICALLY, you can download a PDF version HERE. The form must be completed, signed and returned to us by mail or,…
Concert notification form
Here you will find the CONCERT REPORT form in PDF format. You can either send it by mail or scan it and email it to [email protected]
International performances
If your music is played on the radio or television abroad, you do not need to report it to us, since this is handled under reciprocal administration contracts with our…
Can I manage library music myself?
With effect from January 2016, TONO has offered its members the opportunity to self-administer so called library music. Self-administration applies to the mechanical rights areas synchronisation and copying. This means…
Reporting and distribution from YouTube
YouTube applies systems that autimatically recognise recorded music, and make it possible to register metadata and connect an uploaded video to registered musical works. If you upload your own music…
Why does TONO not calculate distributions for channels like TV3 and Viasat 4?
These channels broadcast from the UK and distributions are therefore calculated by our British affiliate PRS For Music. Any distributions due from these channels will be received via our international…
Do I have to report performances on radio and television myself?
No. As a rights holder, you do not need to report performances on radio and television to us. TONO receives detailed music reports directly from the radio and television channels,…
I have received an advance from my publisher, how is this registered?
The publisher must submit a so-called declaration of transfer, or financial authorisation, to TONO. This document must specify whether the advance relates to revenues from, for example, record sales, or…
Work notification form for publishers
Here you will find the WORK NOTIFICATION FORM in PDF for original publishers. If the form relates to a sub-publisher, you must use THIS FORM (In Norwegian). You can send it by…
Why are the values per minute higher on P1 than on P3?
The distribution of NRK’s radio channels is based on an a factor which relates to the audience numbers per channel, among other things. Additionally, the minute value per channel will…
What is the difference between live and mechanical performances on radio and television?
Live performances mean that the musical work is performed live. For tv performances this means that the musicians are performing the work on screen. For radio performances this means a…
Customers and performers in subsidised category
What are subsidised concerts? Subsidised concerts are concerts whose main repertoire TONO, for reasons of cultural policy, has decided to support with additional funds. These funds derive partly from unidentified…
When will I receive a distribution for my concert?
Concert royalties are distributed once a year, in September. This distribution includes concerts held during the entire previous year (1 January to 31 December). If your works were performed in…
How is the first performance supplement registered and calculated?
All new works that meet the criteria for first performance will automatically be given a special code when a work notification has been submitted and registered. This code is triggered…
How much will I receive for one broadcast on the radio?
It is not possible to give an exact answer, since the value per minute varies on the various channels – even those belonging to the same broadcaster. The type of…
How much will I receive for a concert?
Here is an explanation of how TONO calculates payment settlements for different types of concerts. NOTE! The names used here are fictitious and are only included to illustrate the process…
How does TONO calculate the royalties payable in various areas?
Please check this pdf document to see how the royalties payable in the various performance areas are calculated how the royalties payable in the various performance areas are calculated (in…
Theatre music – bespoke or existing
In this area, TONO has entered into a separate agreement with the Association of Norwegian Theatres and Orchestras (NTO), which obviates the need for TONO rights holders to negotiate directly…
What is the difference between grand and small rights?
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Can TONO help me in the event of a dispute?
No. TONO is not a judicial body and has no authority to adjudicate disputes between two parties in matters relating, for example, to plagiarism or similar copyright infringements. We must…
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…
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.…
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…
How large a percentage of my royalties can a music publisher claim?
The publisher can take no more than 33.33 per cent for a performance and no more than 50 per cent for a sound recording. However, it is normal for publishers…
How can I start my own music publishing company?
Contact The Norwegian Music Publisher Association. They will be able to help you. You can also apply for TONO membership for your publishing company by completing the application form found…
What is a music publisher, and what does it do?
A music publisher can help a music creator to market and stage performances of their works through, for example, promotion and networking – often both at home in Norway and…
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…
Why do I have to notify TONO of all my works?
TONO uses your work notifications as the basis for the calculation and distribution of royalties due to you. Before we can calculate and pay you for the public performance of…
What is meant by a “musical work”?
In the context of TONO, a “work” is a piece of music or a song. If you have played a part as composer, lyricist and/or arranger, you are a rights…
Does TONO deduct tax from the royalties it distributes?
No. According to the Norwegian Tax Assessment Act, “fees or other remunerations paid to the creator of an artistic work” are reportable, but TONO has no duty to make deductions…
What is difference between TONO and Gramo, and can I be a member of both?
TONO collects and distributes royalties to composers, lyricists and music publishers for public performances and broadcast works. Gramo does the same for recorded music, but on behalf of the performers…
What is the difference between TONO and NCB?
TONO manages your financial rights in connection with the public performance of your musical works. This means that TONO ensures that you get paid as a rights holder when your…
What is NCB, and what are mechanical rights?
If you want to record a piece of music or make an audio-visual production containing music, you must first obtain a licence to do so from NCB (Nordic Copyright Bureau).…
What does it cost to be a member of TONO?
It costs nothing to join TONO, nor be a member of TONO. We collect and distribute royalties on a non-profit basis, and deduct an annual administration percentage of approximately 15…
Application form for music publishers
HERE you will find an application form in PDF for music publishers.
Use of music in films, music videos, news reports, etc. (synchronisation)
When you use music together with images, a juxtaposition of sound and pictures occurs. This is called synchronisation. If, for example, you create a video clip with music that you…
Does TONO provide legal advice on my publishing contract?
No. Creators and publishers are considered equal parties in TONO, and we cannot, on a general basis, provide any assistance with regard to agreements between them. However, we can explain…
Release of music for digital streaming or downloading
If you want to make your music available online via a music service that offers digital streaming or downloading, you can contact an aggregator. The aggregator is a digital distributor,…
Release of music in physical formats (CD, DVD)
If you are planning to release music in a physical format (e.g. CD/LP/DVD), you must contact NCB for clearance before going to press. This applies even if the release contains…
What does being a member of TONO mean?
When you sign a management agreement with TONO, TONO/NCB will, on your behalf, manage your financial rights and entitlements in connection with public performances and sound recordings of your music.…