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PRESS RELEASE

(Oslo, November 28, 2013) For Norwegian composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers, 27 November 2013 is a day to celebrate. On that date exactly 85 years ago, TONO saw the light of day.

Norway’s Minister of Culture, Thorhild Widvey, congratulates TONO:

“TONO has been invaluable to Norwegian composers, lyricists and music publishers throughout its 85-year existence. TONO facilitates the use of music in Norwegian society, and ensures that the content owners are rightfully compensated for the use of their work. In this way, TONO has encouraged an ever-growing fund of new music to be created for the enjoyment of society at large. I congratulate TONO, all Norwegian music creators and the Norwegian people on TONO’s 85th anniversary,” she said.

More than 24,000 Norwegian music writers
As of November 2013, more than 24,000 Norwegian music writers are part of TONO.

“Today, TONO is in many ways a popular movement of composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers in Norway. What they all have in common is a strong commitment to expressing themselves through music and lyrics, and to enriching the lives of others with what they have in their hearts,” said TONO’s CEO, Cato Strøm.

Looking ahead

TONO is currently a leading performing rights organization, with a solid and integrated organisation, excellent international relations, a large membership and customer base. It is also an active partner for music providers on the internet, which is where music consumption is increasingly taking place.
“In our 85th year in existence, I am pleased to say that TONO is one of the performing rights organizations in Europe that have succeeded in adapting to the challenges thrown at us by today’s digital age. It could not have happened without skilled employees, and the dedicated representatives of composers, lyricists and music publishers. I would also like to mention the importance of Nordic cooperation. By working together we have developed “state of the art” systems that enable effective rights management across national borders,” he said.

Press Release
Brussels, 26 November 2013

The European Parliament’s JURI Committee has today approved the Collective Rights Management Directive. This follows the agreement of the Trialogue earlier this month and marks a significant step towards the Directive being formally adopted early next year.
GESAC, on behalf of the 33 societies it represents across Europe, welcomes the agreement on the Directive by the JURI Committee. The Directive highlights the key role of collective management organisations (CMOs) in negotiating deals with licensees and securing fair remuneration to creators. It aims at setting European wide standards of transparency and governance, which are essential to ensure that relationships with rightholders and users are based on confidence.
GESAC has welcomed the CRM Directive from the beginning of its legislative journey. The completed text confirms the crucial role that author and rightsholder members play in overseeing the operations of their societies. It also sets a legal framework that accompanies the development of the online market for the cross-border use of music and the solutions already provided by CMOs to organise rights clearance in a manner that is efficient for users and respectful of rights holders’ interests.
CMOs are producing innovative solutions to assist the development of the online market both in the form of simplified licensing offers and in international collaborations driving greater efficiency in data management and better access to content. Common technical solutions and licensing hubs are examples of CMO leadership in this area. These solutions are crucial to swifter market development, and they offer up access to greater numbers of repertoires encouraging business users to access to the full range of creative content produced throughout the European Union.
GESAC regrets however that the opportunities to guarantee cultural diversity were not taken as necessary, since it is uncertain whether all repertoires will be offered by digital services on a pan-European basis.
GESAC General Manager Véronique Desbrosses commented, “This process has sparked the political interest for collective management and how CMOs contribute to economic growth and continuous cultural creation in the EU. Authors’ societies lead the way to meet the needs of the online market and are essential to ensure that authors and rights holders are adequately paid”.

At the end of November, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee will vote on an opinion on private copying levies, also known as private copying remuneration (PCR). Ahead of this vote, authorsocieties.eu is writing a series of posts called ‘PCR matters’ that explains why you should care about private copying levies. This week we tell you how private copying levies contribute to financing social and cultural activities in Europe.

At the end of November, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee will vote on an opinion on private copying levies, also known as private copying remuneration (PCR). Ahead of this vote, authorsocieties.eu is writing a series of posts called ‘PCR matters’ that explains why you should care about private copying levies. This week we tell you how private copying levies contribute to financing social and cultural activities in Europe.

As we explained last week, copyright levies exist to ensure that authors get fair compensation for the use of their creations. But in many EU countries, part of the money collected through levies is also used to finance social programmes for artists and cultural activities for all.

These funds are used to finance large projects like music festivals, films, and trade shows as well as supporting schemes for niche content or new risky projects, fostering innovation and ensuring diversity. Private copying levies also fund training for emerging artists and authors, laying the foundations for Europe’s cultural future.

More about our views on private copying remuneration:

PCR matters #1- Private copying remuneration: More relevant in today’s digital world than ever

PCR matters #2 – Private copying levies: Fair compensation for creation

Why you should care about private copying remuneration

What author societies want for private copying remuneration

How it is an essential source of income for European creators