This is how Gramex works

See our info kit on how a recorded song is converted to payments made to performers and producers.

From studio to bank account

It all starts in front of the mic, in the studio or at the mixing desk.
Anyone that performs on a phonogram or has commercially produced one can join Gramex as a client.

When a phonogram has been recorded, the producer is required to submit a phonogram report to Gramex.

Next, the song goes out to the world, including Gramex’s customers, such as radio stations and TV programmes, or cafés where it is used as background music. Gramex collects usage reports from its customers and charges them according to agreement.

Finally, Gramex processes the song play metrics and pays out remunerations for the performers and producers four times a year. You can see the exact remuneration amounts and song usage numbers in the MyGramex portal.

What is a phonogram?

A phonogram is any recording or file that includes audio, including a CD, streamed song, MP3, audio tape or an audio file in computer memory or USB drive. Phonograms are also called music recordings.

Why do I need to submit a phonogram report?

Based on the phonogram report, we know who to pay remunerations to after your song has been played publicly or it has been licensed to be used in an audiovisual work, for instance.

Collection of remunerations

Gramex remunerations are collected for the public use of a phonogram, for instance, on the radio, in television, in a public event or at customer or work facilities. They are also paid when the recording is copied for non-private use.
In addition to the above, music performers are entitled to remunerations when a phonogram recorded in Finland or a commercially published music video shot in Finland or another EEA country is played in a public space, on television or online.

Remunerations from abroad

We collect and distribute remunerations for you from over different 30 countries around the world. Remunerations to Finland and to Gramex are based on distribution agreements Gramex has in place with foreign copyright societies. We work hard to expand our network of agreements. We are also at the forefront of developing international data transfer formats and technology. This means that we are able to collect international income for your music in an increasing fashion.

Processing of remunerations

Remunerations accumulated for one phonogram are calculated, divided and paid out in accordance with Gramex’s rules of distribution.
The main rules are as follows:

The producer is allocated 50% of the remunerations
The band is allocated the other 50%.
within the band, the division is based on the phonogram report: remunerations are divided relative to each performer’s number of performances (recorded ‘tracks’) on the phonogram.

See rules of distribution

What are unidentified track plays / phonograms?

All recorded songs are sometimes not reported to Gramex, or the report has been deficient. There might also be songs in usage reports where rightsholders (i.e. performers and producers) have not been identified properly and remunerations have therefore not been processed. These are called unidentified track plays or phonograms. In these cases, Gramex will try to carefully investigate the issue and identify the correct rightsholder as required by the Act on Collective Management of Copyright. You can view track plays reported by users that are deficient or erroneous (for instance, phonogram report not submitted, information on producer or some of the musicians is missing) here. Please notify Ilona Saarela (ilona.saarela@gramex.fi) if you recognise your song.

Payment of remunerations

We currently distribute four times a year.
The current minimum distributable amount is 5 euros. If the remunerations for a year do not reach the minimum, annual remunerations are accumulated for a maximum period of three years.
Gramex charges no entry or membership fees. An administrative withhold is levied against the remunerations paid to cover the costs of administration and collection of remunerations.