TONO FAQ for customers

I want to use some music in a film about a company Who licenses this?

14/02/2023

For video productions presenting your company, the recording rights must be cleared with the record company and synchronisation rights with the music publisher, while the performance rights must be cleared with TONO’s Media Department.

I want to use some music in an advertising commercial. Who licenses this?

For those video productions featuring musical works, whose object is to promote a product or service (whether commercial or non-commercial) in order to boost sales, the recording rights must be cleared with the record company and synchronisation rights with the music publisher, while the performance rights must be cleared with TONO’s Media Department.

I don’t know which song was playing in the background while I recorded my video. Does the music have to be cleared?

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

How do I credit the originators when I use musical works in a video production?

Music used in a video production can be credited in the final credits. The following information must be included: The name of the musical work. The names of the originators. The name of the record company. The name of the music publisher.

We don’t play background music in our shop, but we do play music when we are demonstrating sound systems and speakers. Do we have to have an agreement with TONO?

Yes. All public use of music requires an agreement with TONO, regardless of how the music is played or the amount of music used. You will find a price list and details of how to enter into a TONO agreement at www.tono.no.

Which services/media can a company or organisation use to play music for customers or guests?

The TONO agreement gives customers complete liberty to play what they want – radio, streaming services, TV, CDs, etc. If you are thinking of purchasing a streaming subscription for companies, we recommend that you investigate whether the service actually lets the company play whatever it wants, including the well-known music you hear on the radio […]

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

No. When you take out a private subscription with a streaming service, you accept a number of terms and conditions. All the major streaming services state that their service is only for private use.  There are special streaming services for companies wishing to play background music. These are not rights that TONO manages, and we […]

I have not used any Norwegian music, do I still have to pay the TONO charge?

TONO does not charge a fee on its own account. Instead, TONO collects what music users owe to the music’s creators for the use of their intellectual property. By means of reciprocal agreements with corresponding collection societies worldwide, TONO manages the use in Norway of an almost global repertoire. When non-Norwegian music is used in […]

The performer has received all the ticket revenues (“door deal”). As the organiser, do we still have to pay the TONO charge?

Yes. The law states that it is the person or entity that makes the music available for public consumption who must have permission to use it – and therefore pay the TONO charge.  The concert organiser and performer are at liberty to come to their own arrangements regarding payment, for example a fixed fee or […]

The artist performed only their own songs, do we still have to pay TONO?

Yes, the performer’s fee never covers the consideration due to the songwriter, which must be paid through TONO. The performer is paid to perform, but the organiser also makes use of the songwriter’s rights, and it is for the use of these rights that TONO is paid. In other words, the two payments are for […]