Who licenses what
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| TONO | TONO | Composers, lyricists and publishers; sells for Gramo too |
| Gramo | Gramo | Performers and producers; collective management under section 21 |
Dr.DIO · Music license in Norway
Music licence for a shop, café or restaurant in Norway
In Norway TONO licenses the works and Gramo the recordings. Since 1 September 2025 TONO handles sales for both, and from 1 January 2026 venues get one joint invoice.
Which license a café, shop or hotel needs
The licence for music in shops and customer premises covers background music: TONO for the works and Gramo for the recordings, sold by TONO with one joint invoice from 1 January 2026. Live music only needs TONO. More than 16,000 businesses are customers of both.
How the fee is worked out
The fee basis is not published on the pages read; TONO calculates the price on request (marked@tono.no, 22 05 72 00). No example is given.
Can I play Spotify or YouTube in my business?
Consumer plans of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal, noncommercial use under their own terms, so a private account is not a license to play music to customers. TONO says it is not free to use a private Spotify account in public, and recommends business services such as Soundtrack Your Brand.
Music outside the collecting societies
TONO licenses its repertoire, and section 63 of the Copyright Act provides for extended collective licences. Gramo collects the remuneration for public use of sound recordings under section 21; this remuneration is collected collectively and may cover non member recordings.
Directly licensed music outside the societies can reduce or remove TONO fees, but whether Gramo remuneration still applies depends on the recordings. These provisions were not verified at article level beyond Gramo's section 21 reference. Gramo has field consultants who visit businesses.
Dr.DIO in Norway
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society, and the Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives the venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music.
Directly licensed Dr.DIO works can reduce or remove the TONO part, but Gramo's remuneration is collected collectively and may cover non member recordings, so a Gramo fee for Dr.DIO recordings cannot be ruled out. Ask TONO in writing, since it now handles Gramo customers too.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
Official sources
- TONO: https://www.tono.no/
- Gramo: https://www.gramo.no/
- TONO licence page: https://en.tono.no/musikk-i-butikk-og-kundelokaler/
- TONO: https://en.tono.no/tono-og-gramo-samordner-rettighetshandtering-for-bakgrunnsmusikk/
- TONO: https://en.tono.no/customers/
About this guide
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
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Questions
What does a music licence for a shop cost in Norway?
TONO calculates the price on request; the fee basis is not published on the pages read.
Do I need TONO and Gramo for background music in a café?
Yes, normally both, sold by TONO with one joint invoice from 1 January 2026.
Do I need a licence to play music in a shop?
Yes for protected music: TONO for the works and Gramo for the recordings.
Can I use Spotify in my shop?
No. TONO says a private Spotify account cannot be used in public for free.
What does a TONO licence for a restaurant cost?
Ask TONO for a calculation at marked@tono.no or 22 05 72 00.
Does live music need Gramo too?
No. Live music only needs TONO.