Gramex

Thank you. For the music.

Background and purpose

Music would not exist without the work of performers and producers. Established in 1967, Gramex is the copyright society of recorded music. It helps music professionals performing on phonograms and music producers get compensated for their work.

Can I get advice on agreements from Gramex?

Yes, contact Gramex for advice on Gramex’s operations and client agreements as well use of phonograms and matters related to remuneration. However, Gramex does not provide general advice on agreements or copyright. Finnish Musicians’ Union and IFPI Finland, both Gramex member associations, provide various types of advice to their client groups. For general questions about copyright, you can also turn to the Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Centre.

What is Gramex?

Gramex is the copyright society of recorded music in Finland. Gramex represents music performers and producers of phonograms. In total, Gramex has signed 60,500 client agreement with musicians, artists, conductors and producers. Gramex sells licences for using phonograms and music videos in, for instance, radio shows, TV programmes and various AV productions.

How we operate

We help music professionals focus on the important: creating new experiences for all of us. We also help companies and organisations use music in their daily operations in a simple and responsible way that produces value.

Our goal is to be the best possible partner to our clients and stakeholders.

For us, music is the number one priority.

Governance and structure

We are a non-profit association. Our member associations include the Finnish Musicians’ Union and IFPI Finland.

We have a three-tier governance structure. The General Meeting of the Society is the highest decision-making body in the society. Gramex’s member organisations are represented at the General Meeting. The general meeting selects the Gramex Council. The Gramex Council decides on the society’s rules and selects the board.

What is the role of the general meeting of Gramex?

Gramex’s member organisations are represented at the general meeting of Gramex where they decide, among other things, on the content of the client agreement, and approve Gramex’s financial statements, transparency report and investment principles.

Who are appointed to the board of directors?

Tuija Brax serves as the chairperson of the board of directors. Producer members include: Antti Kotilainen (substitute member: Riku Pääkkönen), Tuomas Hämäläinen (substitute member: Henri Lanz) and Kimmo Valtanen (substitute member: Tom Pannula). Music performer members include: Ahti Vänttinen (substitute member: Ritva Kaukola), Pekka Lehti (substitute member: Juho Viljanen) and Mirkka Kivilehto (substitute member: Ilona Vartiainen). Ilmo Laevuo, the managing director of Gramex, serves as the secretary of the board of directors.

What duties does the board of directors have?

The board of directors manages and oversees Gramex’s operations. It also acts as Gramex’s supervisory body, as specified in section 15 of the Act on the Collective Management of Copyright. According to the by-laws of Gramex, the board of directors must have an equal number of producer and musician representatives, and a chairperson that is considered neutral towards both groups. Tuija Brax serves as the current chairperson of the board of directors. Ilmo Laevuo, the managing director of Gramex, serves as the secretary of the board of directors. He is also in charge of Gramex’s day-to-day operations and staff management.

What is the Gramex Council?

The Gramex Council has three members representing musicians and three members representing phonogram producers. The chairperson of the board of directors serves as the chairperson of Council meetings.