TONO — TONO

TONO (TONO) is a performing rights organisation in norway. Businesses playing music publicly must hold a licence from TONO. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with TONO — venues using Track Studios are not invoiced.

Overview

TONO (TONO) is a performing rights organisation that licenses the public performance of musical compositions (melodies and lyrics). Founded in 1928, it operates in norway and manages licensing for businesses that play music publicly.

Founded: 1928
Type: Performing rights (compositions)
Country: Norway
Website: https://www.tono.no

How TONO Fees Are Calculated

TONO uses tariff codes to calculate fees by venue type. Examples: Restaurant (Bakgrunnsmusikk Restaurant): approximately NOK 1800–3000/year; Retail Store (Bakgrunnsmusikk Handel): approximately NOK 1500–2500/year. Fees are typically calculated on the basis of seats.

Venue Type	Tariff Code	Basis	Typical Annual Cost
Restaurant	`Bakgrunnsmusikk Restaurant`	seats	NOK 1,800–3,000/year
Retail Store	`Bakgrunnsmusikk Handel`	area	NOK 1,500–2,500/year

Apply for TONO licence

How to Avoid TONO Fees

Businesses can avoid TONO fees by using music that is not registered with TONO. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with TONO or gramo — venues using the included catalog are not invoiced.

Start free trial — no TONO invoices

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TONO (TONO)?: TONO (TONO) is a performing rights organisation based in norway. Founded in 1928, it collects fees from businesses that play copyrighted music compositions publicly and distributes them to rights holders.
Does my business need an TONO licence?: If your business plays commercially released music in a public-facing space — restaurant, shop, gym, hotel lobby, etc. — you are legally required to hold an TONO licence (and a separate licence from gramo). Using Track Studios' included AI catalog exempts you from TONO licensing for that music.
How does TONO calculate its fees?: TONO calculates fees based on factors including venue size, number of seats, or annual turnover depending on the venue type. Contact TONO directly for a quote.
Can I avoid TONO fees legally?: Businesses can avoid TONO fees by using music that is not registered with TONO. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with TONO or gramo — venues using the included catalog are not invoiced.
What happens if my business plays music without an TONO licence?: TONO can issue a civil claim for back-fees covering the period of unlicensed use, plus additional damages. Since September 2025, TONO and Gramo operate a single contact point. Since January 2026, they issue a joint invoice for background music licences.