Nordisk Copyright Bureau
FAQ - questions & answers
About music in films and audio-visual productions
- What is MECHANICAL FEE?
- It is the royalty fee you have to pay for the manufacture of copies of your production - apart from the first copy that is covered by the "synchronisation fee".
- What is SYNCHRONISATION FEE?
- It is the royalty fee you have to pay to get at licence to use NCB protected music in an audio-visual production. The fee covers the making of the first copy of the production. If you make additional copies you will also have to pay "mechanical fees".
- What is COMMISSIONED MUSIC?
- See explanation at [Glossary of terms]/[Commissioned music].
- Do I have to pay NCB royalties if I use COMMISSIONED MUSIC?
- Yes - but special rates and terms apply to commissioned music - please refer to [Music on video, film, DVD-video]/[- commissioned music].
- Am I allowed to COPY the music from an existing CD onto my audio-visual production?
- If the music you use in your audio-visual production is copied from a CD or other recording you will have to get a permission from the owner of the recording (the record company). This permission is not included in the NCB licence.
- Are NCB royalties calculated the same way for all PRODUCTION TYPES?
- No, the royalty fee varies according to type of production - please refer to the "AV rate card" - but the royalty fee is also determined by type of use. Finally there are some production types where the rights owners reserve the right to determine the price themselves. Consequently, you should contact NCB at a very early stage of your production process.
