Yes. Permission must be obtained directly from the music publisher or the music creator themselves.
First, survey your music usage:
Yes. Using background music in fitness facilities requires a permit from musiikkiluvat.fi.
Yes. Restaurants and cafés need a permit from musiikkiluvat.fi to play music in their customer areas.
Yes. Playing music on business premises is considered a public performance and requires a permit from musiikkiluvat.fi.
No, you don't need permission. Music performed during church services is exempt by copyright law (church service exception).
A charity event needs a music performance license even if all proceeds go to charity. The most suitable license is usually the Event Licence.
Livestreaming Licence is needed if:
Yes, permission is needed to use music at a live event regardless of:
Obtaining rights for sheet music publication follows the same principle as lyrics:
The process is as follows:
Yes.
Removing verses from a song or combining different parts constitutes a modification of the work, which always requires permission from the rights holder.
Yes. If the work is still under copyright protection, you need permission from the song's composer or publisher when:
Yes, if you plan to publish the work. For sampling, you always need permission from:
If you follow the original version, you can perform and record cover songs without separate permission from the creators.
If you discover unauthorized use of your works, follow these steps:
We distribute collected royalties several times a year:
There are several options for copyright royalty taxation:
We collaborate with approximately one hundred international copyright organizations. These partner organizations pay royalties to Teosto members through us.
To ensure accurate royalty payments, it's essential to handle the basics promptly:
You can find royalty payment schedules in our payment calendar.
To receive royalties for your music:
Yes. You can remove from Teosto's management:
Yes. You automatically have copyright protection for your work, whether or not you're a Teosto client.
Plagiarism means presenting another's work or parts of it as your own.
Graphic rights refer to:
A work is protected when it:
The protection period defines how long copyright lasts:
Copyright consists of two components:
Copyright gives music creators the following rights:
You can terminate your Teosto membership agreement:
If you perform yourself, submit a performance report in the online service as soon as possible after the performance.
Register your work in the online service whenever you complete a new piece – without this, we cannot pay you royalties for your music performances.
No. The joining fee is the only payment you'll make to Teosto as a music creator.
Becoming a member of Teosto only carries a one-time joining fee:
You can become a Teosto member if you're a music creator (composer, lyricist, or arranger) or a music publisher. To qualify for member status:
Copyright is the most valuable asset for music creators. This page explains music-related copyrights and how to manage them.
Teijamari Jyrkkiö, LL.M., M.A. has been appointed Director of the Teosto Cultural Foundation as of 6 May 2025.
