Nordisk Copyright Bureau
FAQ - questions & answers
Glossary of terms
The words below are in alphabetical order. The explanation of each word refers only to its use in an NCB context.
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P/Q - R - S - T - U - V/W - X/Y/Z
- Artist
- The performer or performing group on a recording.
- Author
- The person who has written a new piece of music and/ord new lyrics.
- Bar code
- The bar code system is an identification system of articles by way of bar codes.
More information at [Information on the cover/label]/[- bar codes (EAN]. - BIEM
- "Bureau international des sociétés gérant les droits d'enregistrement et de reproduction mécanique" - is the international organisation of mechanical copyright societies ("NCB societies") which among other things negotiates terms and conditions for the use of music with IFPI (the international organisation of record companies).
- Budget products
- Re-releases of recordings where all tracks were released for the first time on a commercial recording more than 1 year ago may qualify for the category of ”budget” products - where lower minimum rates will apply provided that certain requirements are fulfilled.
More information at [Music on CD, MC, DVD audio, vinyl - tariff rates] - Catalogue number
- An designation consisting of letters and/or numbers which cleary identifies a recording. The record company chooses itself the catalogue number.
More information at [Information on the cover/label] - Commissioned music
- Commissioned music is new music written for use in a specific production (usually in a film or video production) - as opposed to "existing music" which is music that has previously been released e.g. on a CD.
- Compilation
- An audio production where at least 50% of the songs are re-issues of previously released recordings of copyright music.
- Coverversion
- A re-recording of a song that was first recorded by somebody else.
- Demo
- A trial recording of a song made as a promotional recording e.g. to obtain a contract with a record company.
- IFPI
- "International Federation of the Phonographic Industry" - the international organisation of record companies which among other things negotiates terms and conditions for the use of music with the international organisation of mechanical copyright societies (= "NCB societies"), BIEM.
- ISRC
- "International Standard Recording Code" - an international alphanumeric code system to identify digital recordings.
More information at [Information on cover/label?]/[- ISRC codes]. - Label
- Record label. Often identical with the record company itself although major record companies frequently release music under various labels - depending on type or category of music.
- Manufacturer
- This term refers to CD, DVD and duplication plants - i.e. companies who undertake the physical manufacture of audio and audio-visual productions.
- Master rights
- Master rights are the producer's rights to make copies based on his recording master, whereas the author controls the author's rights (copyright) in the musical work. Master rights are not rights in the musical composition itself.
- Mechanical rights
- The rights in connection with the recording, manufacture and distribution of copyright music - e.g. on CD, MC, film, video, DVD (or any other audio or audio-visual media) as well as online distribution. NCB administers these rights in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
- Mechanical royalties
- The royalties the record company must pay to NCB for the recording, manufacture and distribution of copyright music - e.g. on CD, MC, film, video, DVD (or any other audio or audio-visual media) as well as online distribution. The royalties are subsequently distributed to NCB's members (composers, writers, music publishers) who own the rights in the music in question.
- Performing rights
- Rights in music that are publicly performed - e.g. when music is played at concerts, discoteques, on radio/TV etc. The societies that administer the performing rights in the Nordic and Baltic countries are listed under [About NCB].
- PPD
- "Published Price to Dealer" = the record company's official list price to retailers (see also "RRP").
- Producer
- In NCB terminology its means the individual/company (e.g. record/film/video company etc) who is responsible for obtaining a licence covering the use of NCB administered music and liable for payment of NCB royalties.
- Protected music
- Music which is protected under copyright law - i.e. until 70 years after the deaths of the composer and songwriter. If you use protected music you will need a licence and have to pay royalties to the authors.
- Public domain works
- When the period of protection of a work expires - which is 70 years after the deaths of the composer and songwriter - the work is said to pass into the public domain. This means that no NCB royalties will be charged if the music is recorded.
- Release
- The issuing of a record by the record company.
- Rights owners
- The authors and those who have acquired/bought (typically a music publisher) or inherited the rights.
- RRP
- "Recommended Retail Price" = the record company's official price direct to consumers (see also "PPD").
- Sound carrier
- Technical term that covers sound/audio recordings like e.g. CD's, DVD audio, MC's, vinyl records etc.
- Standard producers
- Producers who have signed a standard contract with NCB. Standard producers only pay NCB royalties on sales, in turn they have to issue a banker's guarantee to NCB (please refer to "Work-by-work producers").
- Synchronisation
- The putting together of music and visual components - e.g. in a film or video production.
- Work
- A universal term used for any product of expression that might be protected by copyright law. In NCB terminology a "work" means a piece of music (with or without associated lyrics).
- Work share
- A rights owner's share of a work - if the work has more than one rights owner.
- Work-by-work producers
- Work-by-work producers are record producers that are required to pay royalties based on the quantity of products to be manufactured in advance of actual manufacture (please refer to "Standard producers").
