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Frequently asked questions about licences
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What radio advertising income affects the size of the remuneration?
Remunerations from commercial radio stations for phonogram use are based on the amount of music played and the advertising income of the radio station. The advertisement income used as the basis for remuneration refers to all income generated from the radio’s advertisements and adverts, programme sponsoring or other similar support arising from radio broadcasting. Realised credit losses can be deducted from the income. The reported income does not include taxes. Radio stations report their advertising income to Gramex monthly via a dedicated turnover reporting portal. You can access the portal here: https://report.gramex.fi/login
What are protected phonograms?
All Finnish phonograms created or released within the last 70 years are protected. Gramex remunerations are not collected for any older phonograms. Please note that we are currently undergoing a transition for the protection term. If a phonogram was recorded and published before 1963, its protection term was only 50 years. The phonogram is no longer protected for Gramex rights. It may still have valid Teosto rights. For foreign phonograms, Gramex protection is determined based on the recording country of the phonogram and the nationality of the phonogram’s producer. Recordings currently protected include phonograms recorded in countries with agreements in place that are included in a list provided by Gramex, and/or phonograms created by producers who are citizens of the listed countries. You can see the list of countries here.
Does Gramex provide licences for social media use?
Gramex does not license music for use in social media, advertisements, movies, YouTube or streaming services. In these cases, the producers of phonograms (such as record labels) manage the licensing themselves. You also need a licence from Teosto for any use of music.
In terms of an internet radio’s income, what will be considered when determining the size of remuneration?
The music licence price for an internet radio can be determined based on how much protected phonograms have been listened to (per track per stream) or on the income from the internet radio’s operations. Internet radio’s income refers to all income (excluding taxes) from radio operations, including advertising, adverts, sponsoring and other equivalent activities, as well as fees collected from listening to the broadcast.
In terms of an on-demand service’s income, what will be considered when determining the size of remuneration?
When determining remuneration for an on-demand licence, all income related to the on-demand service will be taken into account. These include income (excluding taxes) from advertising, adverts, sponsoring and other equivalent activities, as well as fees collected from use of the service. Exemptions include usage fees of the service that are strictly related to content that does not fall under the Gramex agreement covering phonogram use. Realised credit losses can be deducted from the income.
In the context of on-demand licensing, what does the number of listeners mean?
Remuneration for on-demand licences is affected by the number of listeners for the service. The number is listeners is the total of all unique (individual) listeners for the previous month’s all on-demand programmes. A listener is a person that has listened to a programme for 60 seconds or more during the past month.
What does SVOD mean?
A Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service refers to a service in which video recordings are broadcast for private use for a program catalogue fee so that the end user has an opportunity to access the recording by streaming in a place and at a time of their choosing via a network connection without obtaining a permanent copy of the recording. Such services include Netflix, HBO and Viaplay. A SVOD service is not a service in which users can upload content.
I use music in an advertisement. Can I get a licence from Gramex?
Gramex does not grant licences for using phonograms in advertisements. For all advertisement use, obtain the music licence directly from the rightsholders (such as a record label).
I use music in a movie that will be distributed in movie theatres. Can I get a licence from Gramex?
Gramex does not sell licences for use of phonograms in feature films. You need to obtain the licence directly from the rightsholders (such as a record label).
I use music in a trailer for my audiovisual work. Can I get a licence from Gramex?
Gramex does not sell licences for use of phonograms in trailers. You need to obtain the licence directly from the rightsholders.
I’m creating a video for a political party I represent, and I would like to use music in the video. Can I get a licence from Gramex?
Gramex is not permitted to sell licences for phonograms for use in political content. You need to obtain the licence directly from the rightsholders (such as a record label).
I obtained a licence from the Gramex online store. How do I know whether it is still valid?
Once you have accepted the agreement terms and paid for the licence, it is valid for the term specified in the agreement confirmation.
I obtained a licence from the Gramex online store. How long is the licence valid?
The validity of the licence is stated on the agreement confirmation you have received.
I cannot find the song I’m looking for at the Gramex online store. What should I do?
You can contact Gramex directly by e-mail or phone.
I use music. Do I need a licence from both Gramex and Teosto?
If you use phonograms, you will need licences for all forms of use for both the phonogram and the work itself. The licence for each form of use is not necessarily granted by Gramex or Teosto. Rightsholders also grant licences themselves, depending on the form of use.
I want to use music in a theatre play. What type of licence do I need?
Musiikkiluvat.fi sells licences for using music in a theatre play.
I am creating a piece of art that uses music. What type of licence do I need?
For using phonograms as part of an art piece or video installation, you need to obtain a licence directly from the phonogram’s rightsholders (such as a record label).
When I obtain a licence from Gramex, am I required to report my music use to Gramex?
In principle, reporting the use of music is always required to enable accurate distribution of remunerations. The reporting requirement is, however, determined by the type of licence you have obtained. So please review the agreement terms of your licence. You can find the agreement terms under the ”About the licence” link in each licence card.
I want to play music at my event. Where can I get the music?
You can get the music from any legal source, such as physical recordings or streaming services. Please note that if your event is not a private occasion but for an audience, you need to obtain music licences here.
What music can I use without a licence?
The current cutoff for phonogram copyright is 1963. This means that phonograms published before that are free to use without a licence. Please note that the actual work might still be protected, so you may need a licence to use the work itself. For questions regarding the work, get in touch with Teosto.
I want to use music in my podcast. Do I need a licence from Gramex?
For using music in podcasts, you need a licence directly from the rightsholders (such as a record label). Gramex does not sell licences for using phonograms on podcasts.
I want to use music in my AV production. Can I agree on a licence directly with the artist?
For phonograms used in AV productions, you can also choose to agree on the use of music directly with the rightsholders. They are the musicians that perform on the phonogram and the commercial producers of the phonogram. If you wish to make direct agreements with rightsholders, make sure that you have an agreement with each rightsholder of a phonogram.
I am making an introductory video of our company and I would like to use music in it. Do I need a licence from Gramex?
To use a phonogram in a company’s promotional or marketing video, always obtain a licence directly from the rightsholder (such as a musician or record label).
Do I need a licence to play recorded music at a private wedding or a funeral?
If it is a privately organised wedding or a funeral, no licence is required. Licence is only needed for performing music to an audience. Private events are typically restricted events, and playing music at such events is typically licence-free. However, if music is played to a larger restricted crowd for commercial purpose, you need a licence. This is typically the case when, for example, an employer plays background music at the workplace.